TUCKED away in the heart of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in the village of Rosenallis, my father’s family farm has become the home of Shanbeg Sport Horses. This year we are proud to celebrate a decade of breeding, producing and training quality sport horses.

Together with my husband Mark, we’ve transformed the family farm from a collection of old sheds to a thriving equestrian business. Marrying a former huntsman has its advantages!

From the age of 15, I was lucky enough to do my work experience at Anngrove Stud, where the Pim family quickly became my home away from home, and in many ways, I suppose you could say I never really left.

Under Alastair’s guidance, I learned everything there is to know about the breeding world. That man has some patience!

I went on to study Equine Nursing in college before returning to Anngrove, where I worked hands-on with stallions, mares, youngstock, and alongside vets such as Paul Traynor.

The knowledge, experience and memories I gained at Anngrove are priceless and have shaped both my career and the person I am today. It is something I will always be grateful for.

It was during this time that I owned, trained and competed my horses, Darragh Cullen achieving four-star eventing level and Graf After Eight, competing successfully to two-star eventing and 1.40m show jumping. Graf After Eight later retired and became my first broodmare.

These days you can find me anywhere, from the judging ring to competing across the disciplines, to teaching in the worst of Ireland’s weather.

Only last weekend, I had the pleasure of standing supreme champion for the second year running at the Athlone Agri Show on one of the horses I have produced from a three-year-old.

1. That proudest breeder moment?

There have been a few! Cooley Shanbeg cantering through the finish on the last day of Burghley - the day we officially bred a five-star horse! Shanbeg Legacy, who topped the three-year-old sales at Goresbridge, went on to finish third in the British Young Horse Championships, was also long-listed for Le Lion d’ Angers and evented successfully at three-star level before moving to the USA.

Also, Shanbeg Surprise making the Italian junior eventing team and Shanbeg To Differ winning the six-year-old class at Millstreet International.

2. How many broodmares do you have?

Right now, we have two broodmares. Unfortunately, Graf After Eight is no longer with us, but I have her daughter by Dignified, who I am enjoying jumping at the moment and who will follow in her mother’s footsteps by producing future stars.

Shanbeg Tearful Sky has bred some lovely horses and currently has an Emerald Quay foal at foot. Cuffestown Arkansas Angel bred a beautiful Livello colt last year, but unfortunately we lost her foal this year.

3. As a producer, what’s your advice for breeders?

There is no right or wrong way and everybody has to do what works best for them. David Pim would always have told me to breed a horse you like to see looking out over the door at you. So I would say breed the type you like to see, ride and work with and that way you will always win.

The wedding of Lindsay and Mark 'Spud' Casserly in 2023 \ Darren Byrne Photography + Film

4. Greatest challenge for horse breeders?

Breeding is never easy, whether on a large scale or a small one. Personally, I think the stud or stallion handler is every bit as important as your choice of stallion. With an average of over 20 horses in work, juggling getting the time to be moving mares or chasing semen up and down the country, simply is not an option.

Having a friendly voice at the end of the phone who does their best to accommodate you within such a small window means a lot.

5. Prefixes/thoughts?

For me, my prefix is very important as my business and yard run under the same name, and having my horses connected to my yard is important to me. I also think it’s a great way for breeders to be able to follow their horses’ progress after they leave the yard.

6. Internet - good or bad servant?

It’s both sides of a coin, the internet can be a great source of information and connectivity and an outlet to advertise your offspring, but on the flip side, it can spread a lot of misinformation, and more recently, with the use of editing and AI, is unrealistic.

7. A famous horse you would love to have bred?

There are lots of horses from dressage to eventing to even the hunting field that I would love to put my name to, because for me, an athlete is an athlete no matter what discipline they compete in. But to name one, my favourite horse to watch on the TV was always event horse Toledo de Kerser.

8. It takes a team, who’s on yours?

I know everyone says their parents are the best, but mine really are. They spent years driving me around the country to competitions and, more recently, you will still find my father, Gilbert, on the road collecting semen, horse feed, or, in the worst-case scenario, bandages.

Behind the scenes in the yard is always my mum, Thelma, my husband, Mark, and Katie Wrest, who are there to support me and are the backbone of the yard. None of what I have achieved would have been possible without their support, and I am incredibly lucky to have such a hardworking team behind me.

9. Breeding horses, would you do it all over again?

For me, I got the knowledge from working in Anngrove, but I really got into breeding because my mares had to be retired from competing. It’s a tough game and I truly admire anyone that does it on a large scale, but it also gives such a thrill to see a horse you bred compete at the highest level or make a splash at the big quality sales.

10. What sees you through the best and tough times?

The equestrian world can be brutal, hard, heartbreaking and euphoric all at the one time. No more so than in recent times with the loss of Shane Dalton and, over the years, the loss of so many equestrians.

The Shanbeg team, suffered a huge loss last year with the passing of our vet and close friend, Noel Bracken. Noel was a dedicated vet and an even better friend, he would give everything to his work. I remember one time, Noel staying with me and basically living in a stable for three days, caring for a sick foal.

A good support system is everything in this field, and I am very lucky to have a great one. It is through a listening ear, some sound advice and sometimes just a hug that gets me through the tough times. And, while seeing foals playing in the fields or a horse you bred competing at a championship level, gives me the biggest thrill, it’s being able to celebrate those moments with the people who have been there for the early mornings and late nights.

At the end of the day, while my name might be above the door, none of it would be possible without the people standing behind me every step of the way.