I LIVE in Annaghmore, Co Offaly. Alongside breeding and producing sports horses, I train young riders at a variety of levels here and a number of them competed at Dublin this year. Watching their development, confidence and growth is such a wonderful achievement for our team. To see them competing on our home-bred ponies is very encouraging for the future.

As a good friend said, “the Annaghmore family holds a special place in your heart. They are some of the nicest horses to work with, so full of talent and the best temperament, which makes them ideal for competing at the top level” and this is definitely true.

1. Congratulations on another great Burghley result for Annaghmore Valoner. Tell us more about her.

Annaghmore Valoner is a 13-year-old mare by the thoroughbred sire Coroner, who unfortunately passed before I could breed another one, out of Annaghmore Lady Valier.

I had entered her for the RDS when she was three, but she picked up a small cut which changed her destiny from perhaps show horse to eventer. I showed her twice in-hand at Moate Show where she was champion filly and going to win her class at Clonaslee. Speaking of hands, I broke my hand between the two shows, but she was so sweet and willing, I actually continued to break her while my hand was in the cast. Another turn of fate would have Patricia Hoey bringing Amanda Jones to my yard to look at a different mare, Annaghmore Beach Boom, who ended up going to the USA to event, but on that day, she was a little lame, so I showed her ‘Annie’ instead. Amanda fell in love and said ‘I can imagine a top event rider on her’ and bought her.

She qualified for the Burghley Young Event Horse (BYEH) final in 2017 with Jill Martin and went to Le Lion for the World Breeding Federation young event horse championships in October 2019 with Sam Griffiths for Australia and they finished 17th. This was such an amazing event.

Harry Meade took over the ride from Sam and the rest is history.

2. Proudest breeder moment?

I’m absolutely delighted to say that this is a hard question. I have been so privileged to breed some amazing horses and ponies in various disciplines.

Let’s start with eventing. Annaghmore Valoner - every time I think it’s my proudest moment, she just keeps getting better. There was also Annaghmore Bonita, ridden by Harriet Lucy Beaumont, who won the two-star international at Harbury; Annabelle BoomLander ridden by Emily Nicol and Annaghmore Beach Boom that, as I said, is in America.

In show jumping, there is Annaghmore Beach Cruise, who jumped to 1.50m and he won the Cavan 1.40m Grand Prix with Jake Hunter. Annaghmore Dolce won another 1.40m and actually has the same damsire as Annaghmore Valoner and, also competing this year, is my stallion Annaghmore Soniekan, a half-brother to Annaghmore Beach Cruise. He’s by Kannan and they can be late developers, is jumping well and really producing some serious jumpers himself.

In showing this year, Annaghmore Huntress was supreme champion mare at the Sport Horse (GB) championships. She has also qualified for HOYS where her full-brother Annaghmore Huntsman was reserve champion on previous occasions. He was also the reserve champion at the RDS and overall supreme champion horse at the Royal Highland Show. Both Huntress and Huntsman are owned by Morean Hamilton and ridden by Kirstine Douglas.

3. How many mares do you have?

I have four sisters of Annaghmore Valoner, including two that are in foal.

Annaghmore Valeeb, by Ghareeb, is in foal to Annaghmore Soniekan; Annaghmore Hunting Pink, by O.B.O.S Quality and Annaghmore Valusive, by Elusive Emir, are in foal to the HSI-approved throughbred stallion, Urban Poet.

Then there’s Annaghmore Donalier, by Annaghmore Donatello, and she is in foal to Annaghmore Squire, by Annaghmore Boomerang.

Annaghmore Modalu is by Annaghmore Donatello and out of Annaghmore Gabanna, who is by the same sire [Black Walter] as Annaghmore Lady Valier. Modalu is in foal to Annaghmore Squire.

Annaghmore Donatello, by Ard VDL Douglas, is in foal to Annaghmore Soniekan, as is her daughter Annaghmore Maadame, who is by Annaghmore Squire.

Annaghmore Nobility, by OBOS Quality and out of Annaghmore Nobility (who is by Clover Echo and out of a Diamond Lass-Hail Titan mare, Annaghmore Diamond Lass), is in foal to Annaghmore Soniekan.

I have a few pony mares that I breed to Annaghmore Squire. He is producing jumpers like his dad.

4. Favourite bloodlines?

My own! I have some with two and three generations of Annaghmore on both sides. I love what OBOS Quality gave to the Irish mare, but remember: it’s not all about what is on the pages.

5. Best advice you ever got?

“Be careful who you trust” and “Nurture over Nature”. I think, rather than opposing forces, they are interactive. The genetics, especially of the mare, are important, but how they are raised and started are as important. I love breaking my own, therefore I know they have the best possible start.

6. Prefixes - your views?

These are so, so important. I was actually asked when Annaghmore Valoner started competing at high level how did I “keep” the prefix there.

7. That famous horse or pony you’d love to have bred?

I would like to have bred Lordships Graffalo.

Hopefully, I will be covering one or two of Valoner’s sisters next year with Grafenstolz.

8. It takes a team, who’s on yours?

Number one on my team is my 14-year-old niece Ella. She is the most amazing talented horsewoman, very hard-working and has a very special way with horses and ponies. She has had a very successful season with ponies that we broke and she produced. I am happy to know she shares my love and will keep the bloodlines going.

9. Breeding/owning horses - would you do it all over again?

Absolutely. All I ever wanted was a pony when I was young I never grew out of it. I love working with them. It’s a tough life, but thankfully I’ve been rewarded for my hard work and commitment for giving them the best possible start and, after that, they can go on and do their work, from riding school children to world number one riders.

10. Much to be proud of?

Moments like this make me reflect on the dedication, hard work and commitment of so many people to produce horses like this. Each step of their education and training must be done in a holistic and nurturing manner to develop the best horse.

We have an amazing equine industry in Ireland, producing top-quality international horses for the highest level and I am so proud to be a part of that team.