AS the saying goes, ‘what’s for you won’t pass you by’ and this is certainly the case for Danish native Heidi Jorgensen. Although Heidi felt a great connection to horses, she never imagined that her career path would lead her to a life surrounded by horses and living in Ireland.

She didn’t come from an equestrian family, but her passion for horses would later define her as a person. Her ability to produce a horse, or to help someone gain confidence on their horse, is what sets her apart. Based now in Ballymore Eustace in Co Kildare, Heidi helps both young and old in a variety of disciplines, while breeding and producing her own animals.

“Growing up, my family didn’t have the disposable income to send me to horse riding lessons or to buy an animal,” Heidi explains. “I was always attracted to horses, and I felt that they got me,” she laughs. “When I was eight-years old, I remember watching trotters and thinking I would love to do that. That is when my love affair with horses began.”

Not long after making her acquaintance with the trotting horses, Heidi got the opportunity to ride a friend’s Norwegian Pony, called Sheila, in a livery yard. When an opportunity came up to ride another pony (Pelle), she jumped at it, but it came at a price as the ‘deal’ entailed cycling from school where she mucked out the yard before she could ride the pony.

Despite the hard work, she never minded as the reward of sitting in the saddle was worth every minute. Never one to complain, Heidi maintains that this was part of her early education of working with horses and it was in this yard that she learnt the very high standards that she insists on in her own yard.

When the opportunity came up to ride other ponies, agan Heidi jumped to it even though it increased her workload. She later went on to ride the ponies Jolly and Alf.

“Alf was more than a handful and spent most of his time bucking me off, while Jolly I loved, but I only got to ride on a few occasions. Joy was another pony that I really enjoyed riding.”

When she was 12, Heidi went on to get lessons in a riding school and it was there that she met Peter. “Peter was the first person to recognise that I had a talent for the young horses, and I got to ride many of his youngsters, which was a great honour.

“The first horse which I rode for him was Tully and I learnt so much from this horse. After riding her, I went on to ride some of his younger horses and this is where my love for producing the younger horses began. It was here that I ended up riding all the difficult horses.”

Heartache

Just when it seemed that Heidi was making strides in the equestrian world, she suddenly stopped riding. “When I was 15, the pony that I was riding was sold on me and was later put down because the new owners said it was unrideable. I remember the pain that I felt when I was told in school and in a bid to protect myself from any more heartache, I chose to give up horses.”

At that point, Heidi decided to immerse herself in her studies and pursued a business line for two years which included psychology with the aim of going on to be a primary school teacher. To get extra credits for her course, she went to work looking after three children.

Ironically this job was based in a riding school and part of her job was also producing ponies to be used in the riding school. It was here that she met Marlene Schmidt who would turn out to be one the most influential people in her equestrian career.

On board the riding school’s horse Engtofts Kasino, Heidi won her first championship. Without knowing it at the time, her meeting with Marlene would help change her direction in life. It was while she was based in this yard that she purchased her beloved stallion Concorre and her mare Gina, which she still has today.

No stranger to hard work, Heidi also worked in a bakery/cafe to keep her horses in livery and continue to compete with Concorre and Gina, under the guidance of Marlene. It was while working in this bakery that she picked up her business ideas that she would later use in running a yard.

“The man that owned the bakery was always exploring new ideas to increase revenue and I believe that’s where I got my business savvy.”

Heidi Jorgensen with one of her horses

Legendary Iris Kellett

On August 24th 2004, Heidi’s life was to take another direction as she travelled to Ireland to train with Iris Kellett, organised by her trainer Marlene. “To be honest I never thought that I would leave Denmark and I left there with just an address and phone number for Miss Kellett.

“In Kellett’s, I became the resident rider and I produced many of the horses and got many opportunities to compete. While I was there, I became particularly fond of two horses, Bud and Snip, which I later went on to purchase. Sometime after I went on to cross my stallion Concorre and Snip and the result was my stallion Cantos and 10 years later, Cassie. All of which I still have today. During my time in Kellett’s, I got the opportunity to teach some students, and this is where I got the interest in helping others bring out the best in their horses.

“In 2008, after Miss Kellett fell ill, I went on to take over the yard Daffodil Lodge. I ran shows, kept liveries, gave lessons, and competed myself. Great memories were made there, but all things must come to an end.

“In 2012, I was told that my lease would not be renewed as the property was going up for sale. That was the year my grandfather died and I returned home and missed the opportunity to purchase the property. I returned and moved into a temporary yard with clients before I moved into this yard in Ballymore, where I would love to spend the rest of my life.”

Helping hand

As with many people who choose to pursue an equestrian career, be it a rider, a producer or a breeder, there are many trials and tribulations along the way. Heidi was no different but along this road, she also met good people.

“Yes, there were hard times and there were people I lost along the way. But there were many people that helped me. I am indebted to my haylage supplier, David Hayden, Equiform Feed and TRI. These suppliers supported me through bad times and I will always remain loyal to them as a result.

“With horses, every day is a training day, but I enjoy every minute. I love the connection that you can make with horses. I have bred five foals, and this is something that I am also very proud of. One foal died not long after it was born (Roxy) and this was pure heartache. I love producing horses, whether it means breaking them or bringing them on.

“Horses are such strong and noble animals, and they allow us to ride them once we make that right connection. I guess therefore I like dressage so much. I love when riders can tap into this and get the most out of their animals. I also love the thrill of jumping, there is nothing quite like it. Thankfully, I also have very good students and I take pride in seeing them do so well.

“I never dreamt that this was the direction that my life was going to take, but I always maintain that horses chose me and when I am with them, I am in my happiest place. You never know what is ahead of you, but I have learnt that a positive attitude and the ability to work hard will get you through many struggles. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and I look forward to the next chapter in this journey,” concluded Heidi.

Heidi Jorgensen was in conversation with Emer Bermingham