TOGETHER as a family, we run Mullins Sport Horses, a small family-orientated breeding and production yard based in the west of Ireland. Horses have always been a huge part of our lives and, over the years, what started as a passion has grown into something we are incredibly proud of. Between breeding, producing young horses, travelling to shows and balancing family life, it has truly become a way of life for us all.

Like many families involved in horses in Ireland, our days revolve around the yard and the horses. It’s a lifestyle that takes dedication, hard work and plenty of support from the people around you, but it’s something we genuinely love doing. While we keep our operation relatively small, our focus has always been on producing quality horses and continuously improving what we do year after year.

Outside of the breeding and competition side of things, it’s also a very exciting time for our family personally, with Sophie beginning her own pony career and the recent arrival of our beautiful baby girl, Maya. Watching the next generation grow up around the horses and already sharing the same love for them, makes it all even more special.

We are very proud of what we have built so far with Mullins Sport Horses and feel extremely grateful for the opportunities, friendships and experiences that horses have brought into our lives. Every horse, every foal and every achievement along the way adds to the journey and we’re excited to see what the future holds.

1. Proudest breeder moment?

Our proudest breeder moment would definitely be watching MSH Claregalway (Cornet Obolensky - Lady Acobat, by Acobat II) jump double clear in her first Nations Cup at Mannheim recently.

We always knew she was one for the top and we’re incredibly proud to see her getting the opportunity to showcase herself under a top rider like Michaeli Byrne for the Army Equitation School.

2. How many broodmares do you have?

Last year, we had 18 broodmares, but we have cut it back to 10 this year. We have picked out our top mares and are aiming to breed quality over quantity!

Adding to our breeding programme this year, which we are extremely excited about, is MSH Madonna, who competed at 1.45m level with Lisa, but unfortunately sustained an injury!

We have another really exciting mare Ereqiita M, who was third in the prestigious Hankook seven/eight-year-olds Classic in Cavan with Shane Goggins.

Her first offspring is just coming up through the ranks again with Shane and we have really high hopes for him. MSH Top of the Pops - keep an eye out for him!

The Mullins family - Johnny, grandaughter Sophie on her pony Buddy, Niall and Lisa - enjoying a day out at Corrandulla Show

3. Biggest challenge facing breeders?

The thing we find most challenging is our winters have got longer, our regime has definitely become that bit harder, with having to house the horses for longer periods.

4. How have you adapted to that?

Our three-year-olds come in for breaking over the winter, the youngstock are divided out into pens in the sheds, and our broodmares are brought into the woodchip paddocks and fed from there.

It takes a lot more management and planning during the harsher months, but the horses always come first.

We find ourselves covering our mares later in the year, as we don’t necessarily want early foals any more, as the weather conditions are so harsh.

5. MSH is yours, thoughts on prefixes?

We’re big believers in prefixes. One example is MSH Claregalway, which was previously known as MSH Cornetto. If we didn’t have our prefix, people across the world wouldn’t know where she came from. For breeders, having that identity attached to your horses is hugely important and gives recognition to the work and breeding behind them.

6. How do you market your horses?

Well, as that’s Lisa’s other profession, we better say good - but honestly, social media has become such an important part of the industry. If it wasn’t for the internet and platforms like Facebook and Instagram, a lot of people wouldn’t have known the results from the Nations Cup that weekend or where to even find them.

We also use our social media platforms to showcase and sell a lot of our horses. It has helped us reach clients from America, Canada and further afield, while also allowing people to follow the progress of our offspring performing in different countries around the world.

7. If you could have bred any famous horse or pony?

Niall - Ermitage Kalone. He’s a stallion we used last year and we’re really excited to see the offspring from him. He has all the attributes of a modern sport horse - scope, blood, carefulness and an incredible attitude.

Lisa - King Edward. I don’t even need to say much more. It’s all in his name, he really is a king. Everything about him, from his ability to his presence in the ring, is just incredible to watch.

Johnny - Baloubet du Rouet. A world champion and one of the greatest horses of all time. He was a top horse in his prime and still has a massive influence on breeding today.

8. It takes a team, who’s on yours?

It’s very much a family affair. Between myself and Lisa, and both our fathers, Johnny and Gerry, everyone plays their part and gets stuck in when needed. We’re lucky to have great support around us.

We also keep some horses with a good friend of mine, Shane Goggins, who’s a huge help to us as well.

On top of that, we’ve a very good bunch of friends around us, who are always willing to lend a hand whenever an extra pair of hands are needed. At the end of the day, it really is a team effort. We’d also be lost without our mums, who always step in to help with the kids whenever we’re away at shows or working late nights in the yard.

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

Absolutely, we would do it all again. There’s nothing better than seeing horses you’ve bred go on and achieve great things, no matter what discipline it may be in.

It gives us huge satisfaction seeing home-bred horses doing well all around the world and makes all the hard work worthwhile.

10. What’s the dream?

The dream is to one day have a home-bred horse jump on an Olympic team. Like any breeder in the world, that’s the ultimate aim of the game. Hopefully one day, maybe even for Los Angeles, MSH Claregalway might stand out for that opportunity.