KARLSWOOD groundsmen Gary Deakins and Derry McIntyre have the look of endurance runners about them – not too far from the truth as it happens, they clock up 30-40,000 steps a day keeping the paddocks and grass in Olympic condition for Cian O’Connor and the horses of Karlswood.

“So what’s the secret to perfect grass lads?” I ask.

“Hard work” they respond in unison.

“Yeah, but give me your top five hacks to good grass management,” I continue.

“There aren’t any, it’s time and hard work,” they say, laughing.

Everyone has their thing, don’t they? And I often talk to people who light up when they discuss working with horses, but, hand on heart, I left Karlswood on Thursday revved up about grass management after spending half an hour with these two dedicated men who clearly care an incredible amount about the job they do. That care is reflected in the immaculate nature of the grass paddocks as we watch one of the equally immaculate Karlswood horses nibble the perfect pasture. Even around the edges of the paddocks it’s clear to see top-class grass management, under the last rail of the fencing, around the trees, along what might be miles of path edging. It’s a lot.

Rainwater

The paddocks are a thing of beauty but, as they get rained on like the rest of us, it’s interesting to find out how they remain in such even condition. Firstly, the paddocks are slit-drained which, while this helps in our wet climate, when the sun does do its thing it means the paddocks can be too dry. Karlswood are forward-thinking and collect 50-60,000 gallons of rainwater which is used to water the grass when required.

The grass jumping arena looks for all the world like fake grass on approach because it’s so green and even. Its beauty is really something to behold as you stand on it and feel it under your feet. The grass arena is the work of Paddy Carey and after today’s 20 horses on it, they barely leave a mark.

From November to February, much of the hard grass management work is done. The equine team are mostly away in Florida and Gary and Derry and their colleagues have a routine that we can all learn from, it goes: aeration, scarify (takes out any dead grass and moss), rake, seed. Mow and roll for upkeep.

Vert-drainers, sprayers, terra-rakes - the machines they use are of course state of the art and the lads are really appreciative of that, but they are not huge pieces of machinery by any means. In fact I found it hard to believe Gary did so much mowing with what looked like a domestic Honda mower. But they say it’s the best for the job, as is the walk-behind roller and who am I to argue?

Karlswood uses a Coolmore grass seed mix and re-seed annually. The grass is also fed a slow-release Osmocote fertilizer which Gary swears by and, as a former golf course and Royal Dublin Show grass man, he knows what’s what. It’s one thing to know what you are doing, but to love it always shows, and it certainly shows in the perfectly symmetrical grass stripes flowing through the landscape at Karlswood.