I currently live in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, but I’m originally from the townland of Corbane, between Castleblayney and Carrickmacross in Co Monaghan. I have worked in Logistics for Kepak McCarrens for several years, despite having a degree in Spatial Planning.

I was brought up on the family farm with my parents and older brother. My father Philip, who sadly passed away two years ago, was a building contractor and also ran a suckler herd and bred pedigree Charolais cattle. We had pedigree Suffolk sheep during my primary school years, and my job was to take in the ewes and lambs after school. My brother and his family have now taken over the family farm and continue to breed pedigree Charolais cattle and rear beef cattle.

I was my father’s shadow from the time I could walk, and it was very rare that you would see him without me in the evenings and weekends and usually with a terrier too! He had a passion for breeding the best animals that he could and that rubbed off on all of us. We also showed the pedigree cattle and still do occasionally.

I’ve always had a love for horses and would have asked for a pony regularly. Eventually, my persistence paid off and I got my first pony as a surprise when I was six years old. I will never forget the excitement I felt and I think it took several days to get over the shock. From that point on, we nearly always had a horse or two on the farm, and several donkeys at one point.

I started breeding in conjunction with my father. Our main breeding mare was Coirban Lady Lux, who was purchased as a three-year-old from Peter Rice. She was a lovely filly with size, scope and a very sweet temperament. And, of course, excellent breeding.

After much research and advice, we decided to breed her to O.B.O.S. Quality 004. Knowing how talented Coirban Lady Lux was, we decided to try her for the three-year-old performance final at Dublin Horse Show in 2010, which she did while carrying Quality Street. It was our first time attending the Horse Show as competitors and it was an experience that I will never forget.

1. Congratulations on breeding Quality Street, Rachel Proudley’s gold medallist at the European young rider championship. Tell us more about her.

Thank you. It’s an outstanding achievement and I couldn’t be prouder. Quality Street has been beautifully produced over the years, and I wish her and Rachel every success in the future. I think they are both destined for big things.

Quality Street showed potential from the start. She floated over the ground, and was very intelligent - too intelligent at times!

We were firm believers in letting a young horse be a young horse, and giving them time to grow and develop. After weaning, she spent her time out in the fields with a companion, hail, ran or shine. She was sold as a three-year-old at Cavan Equestrian Centre.

It’s just a pity that my father isn’t here to see Quality Street’s success. It would have been a dream come true for him.

2. And her dam Coirban Lady Lux is related to a Hickstead Derby specialist?

Her dam, Cavimperius, is also the dam of the 1.60m horse A Touch Imperious, who retired at Hickstead after a fantastic career. He finished second in the Hickstead Derby five times and was third twice.

I think it’s safe to say that A Touch Imperious will go down in Hickstead history as one of the most consistent Derby horses of all time. He’s had a fantastic career, jumping on Nations Cup teams and in five-star Grands Prix, including finishing third in St Gallen.

3. Tell us about her foals.

Coirban Lady Lux has bred several foals over the years, the most successful so far being Quality Street, her first foal.

Her full-brother Carra Lux Quality (CSI2*) and half-brothers Coirban Sarco Delux (CCI3*, Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan), and D’Lux Fireball (BE100, Beach Ball) are all competing successfully in their respective fields, which is wonderful to see.

Coirban Lady Lux has some lovely youngstock on the ground, and it would be amazing if there were another champion amongst them.

4. “Fools breed foals for wise men to buy.” Agree/disagree?

I think I’d have to agree. It’s easy to go out and buy a horse that looks nice, but nothing compares to breeding your own and watching them grow and develop. It’s one thing getting a mare in foal, but the real work starts as soon as the foal hits the ground.

5. Famous horse you would like to have bred?

I was only four when he was born, but I would have to say Cruising. He is the horse that I followed growing up, and is the one that has always stuck in my mind. An incredible horse.

6. Coirban was yours, thoughts on prefixes?

I think prefixes are a good idea. It gives credit to the breeder and also makes it easier to track horses that you’ve bred.

7. It takes a team. Who was on yours?

It definitely does, and there have been several members of the team over the years. Breeding was always a joint endeavour with my father, and we couldn’t have done it without the knowledge and guidance of our neighbour, Gerry Marron of Kinmar Stud. His sons Eamon, Cillian and Diarmuid have also played valuable roles over the years, handling and preparing the youngstock, and we would have been lost without them.

There have also been many others, too many to name in fact, that played both big and small roles over the years. And, of course, I should also credit my mother Mary and brother Christopher for their support and patience.

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

100%. Despite all the hard work, the good times and the bad times, it’s like a bug that gets under your skin. I have stepped away from horses several times when life gets in the way, but I have always gone back to them and I hope to again in the future.

9. A big summer for you?

It is indeed. I’m getting married at the end of August to my fiancé Kyle and it’s been a hectic few months finalising everything. We’re getting down to the small things now, which are surprisingly time-consuming. But overall, we’re very much looking forward to it and praying for a sunny day.

I have to say, Quality Street winning gold at the European young rider championship is the icing on the (wedding) cake.

10. That dream honeymoon destination?

Mine would be an African safari. It’s been on my wish list since I started watching David Attenborough as a child. Kyle, on the other hand, would love a cruise, so I don’t know how that’s going to work. Any recommendations for a safari cruise are welcome!