I come from a farming background, predominately cattle and sheep, in Athboy, Co Meath. We didn’t always have horses. Horses were my passion as I was growing up. Thankfully, my parents, Sean and Carmel Corrigan, eventually let me attend weekly lessons in Kells Equestrian Centre, which I looked forward to, until I eventually got my own ponies to keep me busy.

I run a school finance office full-time in Trinity College Dublin and spend any spare time on the farm. I bred from my first Irish Draught mare in 2016 and we have three mares and one yearling filly now.

1. Congratulations on breeding Sean Barker’s Bawnbally Diamond, one of the Class 1 Irish Draught stallions at Cavan this year. Tell us more about his background?

Thank you! He is an impressive stallion and has been special to me from day one. I was in America when I heard the great news and unfortunately did not get to see him in Cavan, but everyone I have spoken to said his ability to jump is outstanding. So I’m happy he has no problems whatsoever there.

I’ve always held high hopes for him. We showed him as a foal in the summer of 2019, when he won many championships and placed in several other big shows including the ID All-Ireland show, where he was the highest-placed colt and received second place.

From a foal, he was correct in every way and, in the show ring, he showed himself off naturally. No need to wake him up, he just behaved impeccably on the lead while floating along. I hear his quiet temperament on the ground has not changed, which I am particularly glad to hear.

2. Why do you breed Irish Draughts?

I love everything about the native Irish Draught. They are a hardy breed, have farmed the Irish landscape for generations before us and have the best temperament.

3. Proudest moment as a breeder?

I’m thankful to have had many proud moments, but looking back with Bawnbally Diamond, winning the 2019 foal championship in Clonaslee is a proud moment for me.

P.J. Fitzpatrick, the owner and breeder of his sire RID Class 1 stallion Carrabawn Cross, saw the foal win that day, along with Noel Hamilton, who bred the grand-dam, Ballindrimmna Lass (Donovan).

Carrabawn Cross (Young Carrabawn) won the RDS stallion class in 2016 and his progeny has been very successful, with at least five stallions now being approved as class 1.

However, the proudest moment is our mare Fair Holly coming third as a three-year-old in the Draught young mare class in the RDS. The RDS seemed like a leap, but it is not and if there is another person reading and wishing it – you will do every bit as good as the rest, if not better!

It was our first time showing our own animal in the RDS and the main thing was to go and enjoy it.

Henrietta Knight judged the class that year and what a privilege it was to have a horse thought so highly of by her alone. Her comments about Holly in the ring after the prize giving were even more meaningful to me.

It wasn’t a red ribbon but it didn’t matter I laughed, cried happy tears and I think they could hear me cheering back in Athboy, but that didn’t bother me. Bred by Edward Brogan in Mayo and showed by my fiancé Anthony Curry. Subsequently, she came third again in 2023, so she’s consistent!

Bawnbally Diamond five years later as a Class 1 stallion at Cavan \ Susan Finnerty

4. Best advice you ever got?

Keep cleaning the horse out and don’t let the horses clean you out!

5. Favourite broodmare?

We keep a small number of Irish Draught mares. Ballynadrimna Lass, the dam of Bawnbally Diamond, is small but mighty. Bred by Jimmy Heery, she’s by Drumri and always puts a lot into raising her foal.

However, my younger mare - Fair Holly, by Harkaway Lionhawk - is definitely the firm favourite of everyone in our household.

6. What’s your template for a draught?

When buying a Draught foal, what really stands out for our family is temperament. That appeals to me first and if that is not there, then forget it. Conformation has to be right too, proportion, frame, strong bone, step, stand and carriage. We look for the animal with potential to grow into a nice animal, not a pumped-up foal on sale day.

7. It takes a team – who’s on yours? I’m very lucky to have my family involved. Anthony and I look after the grooming and showing. My parents never waver in support and are always ready to lend a hand or a shovel, so it’s definitely a team effort, including Dearbhla and Laoise McCaffrey, who are a great help in Dublin too.

From bringing mares to P.J. Fitzpatrick’s stud, I have eagerly learnt a lot about breeding. P.J. has such a keen interest in breeding mares. Any time I have breeding questions, he is happy to share what he has experienced in the past and pass on any advice he has. So he deserves credit here.

Our vets, Catherine and Peter, also have been invaluable to me with advice on breeding and many other friends and family.

8. Favourite website/reading material?

Instagram, Facebook and The Irish Fieldare my go-to favourites, which help keep me up to date with the ID community and bloodlines in show results.

9. 2024 – Paris Olympics. Any medal predictions?

There is nothing like watching the Irish eventers on the cross-country course. Those fences take a different level of bravery and trust in a partnership. I wish them all the very best, especially the women on the team – at that level, it’s hard to predict anything!

10. What do you think is next for this stallion?

I hope the horse stays healthy, firstly. His new owner, Sean Barker from Tourmakeady, Co Mayo, has had unbelievable success with his other Class 1 stallions Gortfree Lakeside Lad and Gortfree Hero. He has put in such a great effort with this horse so far that anything now is a bonus.

That being said, it would be special as a breeder to see him as successful as Sean’s other stallions. He and his team gave his horses a great chance and opportunities to prove themselves.

It’s not often you get to see that much success given to a Draught, but I knew when Sean asked about him, the horse would have every opportunity to do his best in his care.

So, maybe a future RDS performance ridden champion some day!