INDIVIDUALLY, Co Antrim brothers Harold and Chris Megahey had a rewarding end to 2016 in their respective disciplines and, teamed together, are determined to keep the momentum going for Glenpatrick Sport Horses.

In spite of excellent results in eventing, Harold has now forsaken that sport and, in common with his sibling, plans to become a leading force on the national and international show jumping scene. The Megaheys take the first step in their new venture next Wednesday when departing for the Sunshine Tour in Spain with a team of seven horses.

“We are both looking forward to the Tour,” said Chris. “It will allow us start the year off on a positive note with back-to-back shows which should get the horses well-prepared for a busy season. It’s important for us to build partnerships with our new horses and the Tour will provide us with that opportunity.”

Chris, who has always been more interested in jumping and represented Ireland at young rider level in Hagan in 2015, has already recorded some major successes among the senior ranks, winning a 1.45m class at Vimeiro in Portugal last August riding Curprice.

However, on board the one-time eventer Seapatrick Cruise Cavalier in Puissance competitions, the 18-year-old came to the attention of a wider audience when finishing joint-second at the Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham in October, joint-first at Olympia just before Christmas and winning outright in Liverpool at the turn on the year.

Harold had a superb international record in eventing at underage level, first winning team silver and individual bronze at the 2012 European junior championships at Strzegom, Poland, before being on the gold medal-winning team the following year in Jardy, France. He ended the 2013 season being crowned British Eventing’s young rider champion at Weston Park.

Still riding the grey gelding Chuckelberry, Harold was presented with another gold medal when a member of the Irish team which won the 2014 European young riders’ championships at Vale Sabroso, Portugal where, frustratingly, Megahey finished fourth individually. He concluded his eventing career last season with an 11th place finish in the world young horse championships at Le Lion d’Angers, France on the six-year-old Cornascriebe Glenpatrick who set a new record for the Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale in November when knocked down for €160,000.

Having taken a break after a year of studying Business at Ulster University, 21-year-old Harold doesn’t want for ambition and established riders should take heed when he talks of competing at the next Olympic Games. He has a definite plan mapped out for this coming season and is then prepared to aim high.

“In 2017, I would like to improve my world ranking which will allow me ride at bigger shows and therefore gain more experience competing at the highest level. I plan to compete Charming Lady in the Premier series around Ireland. I hope my two younger horses will qualify for the Dublin Horse Show and then get selected for the world young horse championships in Lanaken. In terms of overall targets, I would definitely say the Olympic Games 2020 in Tokyo is something I have in mind.”

It’s not surprising to learn that Harold admires the trading skills of a very successful Belgium-based Irishman. “From a business perspective I’m really influenced by Enda Carroll, the owner of Ashford Farm. Ashford Farm sells over 100 horses a year which would be great to emulate in years to come. From a riding perspective, I admire Lorenzo de Luca’s stylish but effective technique.”

At present, Chris is not looking beyond this year. “My targets for 2017 are selection for the European young riders’ championships in Samorin, Slovakia, which, unfortunately, clash with the Dublin Horse Show, one of our favourite shows of the year, and then a return trip to Olympia.”

GLENPATRICK

Heading away from Glenpatrick means leaving others in charge of the horses at home which includes the hunters ridden by the Megaheys’ father Britt, a joint-master of the Co Down Hounds. “Running a competitive yard requires trustworthy and hardworking staff,” commented Harold, “and we are very grateful to have a team who are very professional and keep things running efficiently.

“We have a fantastic livery yard on site as part of Glenpatrick Sport Horses and the combined facilities include two large all-weather arenas, two horse walkers, a six-furlong gallop, solariums and, with plenty of land available, individual turn-out paddocks.”

There is also an Eventing Ireland two-star track at the family home and, in spite of Harold’s career change to show jumping, Britt and Anne Megahey have kindly agreed to once more host a Northern Region one-day event in late May.

On their return from Spain, Harold and Chris will base themselves at Glenpatrick but plan on doing a lot of training down south and in Britain. During his eventing days, Harold was coached by Piggy French (a member of Team GB’s world class squad), Germany’s Dirk Schrade (Olympic, World and European gold medallist) and Irish Olympian Joseph Murphy. He currently receives training from Neal Fearon.

When first contemplating life as a professional show jumper, Chris trained with Ireland’s 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist Cian O’Connor but, more recently, has based himself for weeks at a time in Britain or at international events with Louise Saywell and Graham Lovegrove, both of whom he greatly respects.

A business venture like that planned by the Megahey brothers has to be self-financing but they are indebted to their sponsors. “We couldn’t do what we do without them,” commented Harold. “Our sponsors play a massive part in making this possible for us, from supplying bedding and feeding to clothing and transport.

“We have a great team behind us, including Barclay Communications, Horseware, CWD, Freejump, Haygain, Zandona, Alessandro Albanese and Samshield, and we are constantly looking to expand these. With the huge expense of buying horses and competing at a high level, we are extremely grateful for our sponsors and know our success wouldn’t be possible without them.

“Buying made horses is probably a quicker way to success but it’s definitely very rewarding bringing on young horses and seeing them transform, particularly after some of the major successes we’ve had recently. Currently, we are looking for more investors in order to develop more top level horses.”

The Megaheys are aware of the need to keep owners, sponsors and supporters informed of their horses’ progress and supply regular updates on the Glenpatrick Sport Horses Facebook page. Keep an eye out for news of their Spanish exploits over the next few weeks.

CURRENT COMPETITION HORSES

Harold: “At the minute, I have just the one experienced horse, the 10-year-old mare Charming Lady (Vingino – Secret Lady, by Lauriston), who has competed up to 1.40m level. I really need to get another couple and the sooner the better. My two younger horses are Kilkenny (Centabel – Goldchap, by C Chap), a six-year-old stallion who is currently competing at 1.30m level, and the five-year-old mare Haranka (Captain Cooper – Zaranka, by Colander) who is competing at 1.20m.”

Chris: “I’ve got two very experienced horses in the 15-year-old Seapatrick Cruise Cavalier (Cruise On – Cavalier Countess, by Cavalier Royal), who I compete in Puissance classes (he has cleared 2.20m) and in 1.55m Grand Prix, and the 10-year-old mare Curprice (No Limit – Wrojo, by Hamlet) who is presently competing at 1.50m Grand Prix level. At present, I’ve got two seven-year-olds Dutch Warmblood geldings who are both competing up to 1.30m level, Fuego Balia (Tygo – Lubalia, by Lupicor) and Fardence (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve – dam, by Casall Ask).”