SELF taught and self-made. Those are the words that come to mind after a conversation with producer Gemma Phelan.

Based near Dungarvan in Co Waterford, Gemma’s Beechfield Stables has earned a reputation for supplying well-educated, well-rounded horses to many different types of clients.

Now 37 years old, Gemma was first introduced to horses by her father’s interest in thoroughbreds. “We had a few in the yard when I was growing up, and then my Dad Jim bought my brother Conor and me a pony and we just began to ride it about the place. We taught ourselves really, by just trying things out,” she told The Irish Field.

“We had a couple of lessons at the local equestrian centre, but for the most part we learned by doing. I did some hunting and then, I suppose it progressed to show jumping. I didn’t do 128cms but began with 138cms and had some success on ponies we bought as youngsters and I brought on and produced myself.

“I did ride a couple of ponies for other people. The Condon family live nearby and I rode a couple for them. I did all the championships, Millstreet and Dublin in the 148cms and again had some good results with several ponies including the Bourns family-owned Connemara pony Some Man For One Man. I won the Championships in Dublin with him and then went on to be selected for the Irish team to travel to Holland that year.

“He was eventually sold and went on to do the Europeans for Sweden with Adam Carey. Before him I also produced Kilcannon Explosion who also went on to compete at European level. He was a class pony and it was a great experience for me. I suppose that is when I began to get a bit of a reputation for being able to ride and produce a bit.”

Next step

Gemma began to realise she had a talent for producing horses. “When I came out of ponies we went to the sales and bought my first horse, an unbroken three-year-old. I began working with him and got him going and when he was ready took him back to the sales.

“He sold well and I began to think that there was something in this, so I began to look for another. It started from there really and just by being around the place at shows and word of mouth people began to give me horses to bring on and compete,” she explained.

“During this time I completed my Leaving Certificate and my parents weren’t keen on me stopping my education there so I went to WIT (Waterford Institute of Technology) and did a three-year degree in Sports and Business.

“At that point I was selling my own horses and competing and it just grew from there. One of the first horses I bought as an unbroken four-year-old was named Kilcannon Brigade (Clover Brigade x Laughton’s Flight).

“He was a big horse and had a mark on his eye; one of a few things that really weren’t going for him, but we liked him and decided to take a chance on him. He hadn’t done anything really and I was just riding away with him. I jumped him up through all the young horse classes, the Boomerang, etc., and he did well.

“He wasn’t the easiest to ride but we got on well and ended up going all the way up to 1.50m with him. So, I suppose he was the first one which I brought all the way through and kind of got my name out there a bit.

“I learned a huge amount from him. I still have him. When I bought him there was nothing too much expected of him, so it was even more rewarding when he did so well. He gave me great enjoyment. He was a bit quirky but talented and we had a great time together.”

Understanding the horse

“I think the main thing you must consider when working with any horse is thinking about how they feel. It’s all about trying to understand them, and thinking the way they think; teaching them things when they are ready. You will know from working with them when that is. They will let you know by the way they are reacting.

“Some will do things faster than others, the main thing is to keep them happy and not rush them, that is how you will get the best out of them. You watch their demeanour, they will let you know when they are ready to move on. I believe in turning them out a lot. It’s good for their mind.”

Gemma is flat out at her yard. “At the moment I have about 25 in work; I’m trying to calm it down a bit now to close off the year. I have a girl, Vanessa Daly, who comes in and helps me a few days a week.

“Some of the competition horses have gone back to their owners until the spring. That means we can take in the ones to be broken and handle the yearlings and two-year-olds a bit.

“I don’t like taking horses in from others to break because I don’t want to be under time pressure with them. Sometimes the horse just isn’t ready to take the next step. So I’m happy just to break my own.”

Making it pay

“The livery horses can make the yard pay for itself, but to make any sort of money you need to be producing and selling your own horses.

“I have bought a lot of foals this year at various sales, and I have 11 mares in foal right now. I used to have four or five thoroughbred mares and breed from them, but this year, because it’s getting so hard to buy quality young horses in Ireland, I decided to start breeding my own. I like having my own, it’s nice to see them progress.

“If I like a young mare and think she has a good temperament and ability, I may take a foal off it when it’s three or four and then break it in and produce it further and they can go competing. This year I brought mares to Hard Luck Z, Aganix du Seigneur Z, Comilfo Plus Z and a couple to Livello. I have a five-year-old stallion, Vicarstown. He’s by Luidam out of a Darco mare and I’ve put a couple of mares to him.

“It’s time-consuming and hard work but hopefully it will pay off. Trying to give each horse the time it deserves and needs to get the best out of them is the challenge, but that is what I try to do.”

Current string

“I currently have a nice five-year-old by Aganix, Philly Fogarty (Aganix Du Seigneur x Harlequin du Carel) who I think a lot of. He’ll take time but looks good.

“I also have an eight-year-old Beechfields Billy Barnwell (Billy Mexico x Vechta), who is looking like he’ll be very good. I think he’ll jump big classes.

“I have a six-year-old owned by Baden Powell, Curraghraigue Jack Bro (Orestus x Errigal Flight), who looks to have plenty of potential and is very well-related.

“It’s sometimes hard to bring a horse to the higher level and then have to sell it on, but I’m not in a position to hold on to them; realistically it’s what has to be done. You make your money by selling them. It’s tough but it is also nice to watch them go on to be successful.

“I enjoy having people return to buy another horse because the one you sold them before has worked out well.

"You try your best to find a horse that will suit them the best and it’s gratifying when they come back again and again.

“You are trying to keep your business moving. Through Covid-19 we began to sell more online and that side of things has really grown so that’s something new and exciting and hopefully that will take off even more in 2023.”