LOOK who turned 29 years old this week and still looks a picture!

A real credit to Sean Lydon and the dedicated team at Ballinasloe’s Watervalley Stud is Loughehoe Guy (1992 b st by Regular Guy out of Loughahoe Star (TB) by Sandyman Star (TB)).

A chance lucky buy from the Tynan family after his breeder Alo Tynan passed away, Loughehoe Guy went on to sire many national and international performers in the show jumping and eventing ranks. He turned 29 yesterday (Friday) and as these pictures show, he is in great condition.

“Loughehoe Guy is in good form and looks great. He has mares in foal this year. We take semen off him in the morning and he goes out into his field then for a big roll and a little gallop around. He was always a relaxed type of horse to deal with it, very easy and straightforward.

“I was in the right place at the right time when he came up for sale. He competed at Paul Darragh’s and Suma Stud took semen off him for us – they were just lovely people to deal with. He retired from competition at 13 and has been fantastic for us as a sire. I’m so proud of him and all his achievements – Noel Cawley’s Glimmering mare jumped to international Grand Prix; Seamus Lehane’s foals by him were constantly in the ring at Dublin.

“Sean Jones’ View Point was Supreme Champion (Royal Windsor) with Robert Walker and he has so many good eventers to his name.

“My grandfather stood stallions here, my father was into dairy and I followed him but always loved the horses. I bought my first mare when I was about 16 or 17 and now we have 16 mares,” said Sean who also stands Watervalley Cool Diamond (ISH) and Connemara sires Tullaree Tomahawk, Go For Gold and Banagher de Bregon.

Sean credited Valerie Thornton, Michael White, Sinead Ryan and Duncan McFadden for all their help at Watervalley, past and present.