MARIE Bourdin, one of the best-known breeders of show jumping horses on the world circuit today, was a familiar face in Galway for many years, where she came to live with Chantal Deon, the wonderful Connemara pony and Irish Draught icon, who helped pave the way to her future success.

Those early days in Galway living in a world of Irish horses served Marie well, leading her on a career path which would eventually see her breeding five-star horses and winning prestigious classes in Europe from her home in Normandy, where her stud is called Elevage Chance.