CLARE show jumper Eoin McMahon has left Ludger Beerbaum’s stable after seven years to start a business with his girlfriend, Swedish international show jumper, Wilma Hellström. The pair will base themselves in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands.

McMahon (29) spent seven years at Beerbaum Stables in Riesenbeck, Germany, riding alongside Philipp Weishaupt and the current Olympic champion, Christian Kukuk. During his time there, he was selected for two senior European Championships in 2021 (Chacon 2) and 2023 in Milan, where he was part of the silver medal-winning team with Mila.

Speaking to The Irish Field from his new stable on Friday, McMahon said: “We made the decision about six months ago. Ludger asked me to stay and do the last show in Riyadh, so I said I would. We got home on Sunday and I came to Valkenswaard on Monday. Everything was already sorted.”

He added: “I was always sceptical about doing something on my own, but Wilma has a very good owner and they financed buying the stable for us. We got a very good interest rate on it and it was just a very good opportunity that we couldn’t pass on. We are at the centre of everything here.”

Asked if his top championships horse Mila would be making the move with him, McMahon said that is yet to be decided. “My goal is to stay at the top of the sport, but I will have to drop back for a year or two and establish a string of horses again. Wilma has an established string and will keep going, she has some World Cup points and wants to get to the final,” he added of his partner, who was part of the gold medal-winning Swedish team at the 2023 European Championships.

McMahon said he lived out his dream by riding for Beerbaum and had the time of his life over the last seven years. “I went there at the perfect time. It was exactly what I needed and I think I am a lot more established now. Even when I was really young growing up, every year they came to Dublin, I was always glued to them. It was always my dream to go there and I am very happy I did. I got a base of knowledge that will stand me forever.”