WITH no real background in horses, and a family very involved in the sport of hockey, Darryl Walker let his passion for riding pave the way to a successful career in production, from a riding school to international level, and now, the breeding of show jumpers.

“I grew up in Ballinteer, Co Dublin. None of my family were horsey, in fact they all played hockey. That was the main sport in my house growing up,” Walker told The Irish Field.

“When I was seven years old, I went to my friend’s birthday party and they brought us horse riding; I loved it and was instantly hooked. My mother did everything to stop me from horse riding, and I did everything to make sure I could keep doing it.

“I went to a local riding school called Brook Lodge in Stepaside, hung around there all day just working, which earned me a free ride at the end of the day. I took in everything around me and basically taught myself to ride.

“When I was about 10 years old, a Swedish lady named Elena Pothmann, who had some jumping ponies in Brook Lodge, asked me if I would be interested in competing with them and it was like all my dreams come true.

“From that point on, I suppose, I began producing ponies. When I was 13, she had a couple of horses and I began jumping them as well. I would have done anything just to get into the ring, so that’s how it started for me.”

Darryl Walker and the multiple Grand Prix winning mare Cushions who is now part of his breeding programme \ Prime Photography

Progress

Walker finished his education at school and eventually set up on his own. “After I finished school I moved around a bit, within the same area, gaining experience. By the time I was 21, I had settled in Ashford, Co Wicklow, where I set up a livery/competition yard.

“There was a lady named Susan Davies and her daughter in the area who had a few horses and I began riding for them. In time, people began sending me a variety of horses to produce and compete. I stayed in Ashford for about 11 years, building my business and connecting with owners.

“About a year ago, I got the opportunity to move to a fantastic facility; Cooperalley Stud in Maynooth, the yard of the late Ailish Connolly. The Connolly family have been very good to me and I’m very grateful to them. I’m very lucky that this is where I am today.

Breeding

“These days I have started to breed a few. I bought a nice Irish mare a few years ago who had jumped at Grand Prix level. She wasn’t that expensive and I figured if competing with her doesn’t work out, I can breed from her. I knew she was scopey and brave, and that’s how it started.

“I also have my former Grand Prix mount Cushions (Flexible x Flagmount Diamond). She was a very good horse to me and we won several Grands Prix together. She went to Italy for a while and came back a few years ago, so she is my other broodmare. I will have her first foal on the ground this year, which I’m very excited about.

“We are all hoping we will breed a superstar. But I think you also have to be a bit clever so that if they don’t turn out to be a star, they are still commercial.

"They can be ridden by an amateur and will make a decent 1.20m/1.30m horse. Because realistically that’s where the market is.

“If you breed a horse that is nice looking and honest and will jump 1.20m that’s where the real demand is. We have some really talented riders in this country who can compete on the big stage; but we have far more people who ride for pleasure and don’t need a superstar, they need a nice, sound, safe, straightforward horse.

“Also, when you are breeding you want them blood enough that if they turn out not to be a show jumper they can go eventing; that’s another market. You have to be clever. You are trying to tick a lot of boxes.

“I have my broodmares and youngsters in fields in Wicklow from a farmer who is very good to me. I have two four-year-olds by Imnotafraid Fortuna, one colt and one mare. I’m hoping to do the four-year-olds in Cavan with them in the next couple of months now that they are a bit more mature.”

Superstar

Walker juggles a yard of horses as well as breeding stock and is hopeful about some of the stock he has coming through. “I have one really nice three-year-old. He is also by Imnotafraid Fortuna. He is my hopeful superstar. He is sharp but he is so talented. I think it is coming from that stallion. Anyone who has one, or has bred one, has said they have such a clever brain. I hear they are really nice horses; so we live in hope.

“I have two mares in foal to Grand Cru VD Vijf Eiken. I really like that stallion, he is so talented, he jumped so well with Vanessa Mannix and Conor Swail and has a lovely temperament. I have a couple of yearlings by him and they are lovely. I also have a foal by Landsdowne.

“I have about 15 boxes in Cooperalley. I’m on my own so I try to have half and half; half liveries, half competition horses. Susan Davies’ daughter Kate Fortune bought me the German-bred gelding Scott 49, which I have high hopes for.

“I think he will end up jumping the big stuff. We are taking our time with him. He is a big, tall, rangy horse who still needs work on the flat. We will get there eventually. I try not to fast track it.

“I’m confident that he will get there. It’s nice to know there is no pressure on to sell him; that the owner just wants to enjoy watching him compete and progress.

“I’m also excited to see how Claire Penny’s six-year-old mare KPCM Contessina (Cornet Obolensky x Emerald Van’t Ruytershof) progresses next year. She finished sixth in the final in Dublin and was selected to go to Lanaken, her owners decided against sending her, but it was great to be asked.

“Then I have a few horses from the Kennedy family. I have five KEC horses and I own a couple of them myself. A few years ago, Oonagh Kennedy sent me a couple of horses to produce; I think the HSI grant made that possible. It entitles breeders to send horses to producers and the grant covers some of the cost. I think it is a great incentive to breeders to hold on to horses and basically promotes the Irish horse.

“Oonagh sent me KEC Butterfly (OBOS Quality 004 x Aldatus Z) back in 2022. She has been very consistent at 1.30m and I see a bright future for her.

“I have KEC Prince Ali Joe (KEC Maximum Joe x Aldatus Z) and have just gotten back KEC Klassique (OBOS Quality 004 x Aldatus Z) who I had as a six-year-old and is a full-sister to Butterfly.

“I own KEC Reah (Obos Quality x High Roller) and KEC McKenzzie (Lancelot x Aldatus Z). I plan to do the 1.40m National Grand Prix with Scott 49 and hopefully step him up to Premier Grand Prix level. I hope to go abroad with a few of them in the new year. I’d like to go to Oliva in Spain; the arenas and courses are amazing there.”

There is plenty in the pipeline for Walker.