FAIL to prepare and prepare to fail – this saying could never be applied to 25-year-old Co Mayo show jumper Jack Dodd who has spent most of the past decade studying and learning from the best before setting up on his own in Balen, Belgium.

A recent graduate of the European Equestrian Federation young riders academy, Dodd’s path to turning professional began many years ago.

Speaking to The Irish Field recently from his new base, Dodd described his journey so far. “I grew up in Foxford where my mother and father, Trish and David, have a riding school, so it was inevitable that I would begin riding. They always had a lot of ponies and horses in and out of the yard, which gave me lots of opportunities to ride, and they are both excellent horse people so I learned a lot from them.”

A natural progression into show jumping saw a young Dodd flourish in the pony ranks. “I suppose the highlights when you’re growing up have to be the teams.

“In 2007 Michael Duffy, Edward Doyle Jnr, Jordan Coyle and myself were part of the children’s team that won Silver at the European Championships in Istanbul.

“I then jumped Junior Nations Cups and Young Rider European Championships.

“There’s always something special about jumping for your country and I was lucky enough to always have fantastic team mates so they are, without a doubt, the highlights for me.”

OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL

Once he graduated from ponies, Jack grabbed the opportunity to travel and learn from the many Irish professionals based all over the world.

His first trip away was to British-based Shane Breen who lives in the famous Hickstead Arena.

“I must say I’ve been very lucky with the riders I’ve worked with over the years; they were all so generous with their time and taught me so much. Working for Shane [Breen] was definitely the biggest eye-opener for me. I spent a year working for him during my Transition Year in school and had no idea just how hard these top riders work to be as good as they are. Shane was normally the first one in the stable and the last to leave.”

After a year with Breen, Dodd then got the chance to work with Cian O’Connor.

“Cian, who is another Trojan to work, showed me exactly what a perfectionist is.

“I don’t think there is another stable in the world that gives as much attention to detail as Karlswood stables and the results show that. I took a huge amount away from my time there.”

The next step for Dodd came when he moved to Germany to be based with Cameron Hanley.

“Cameron was an amazing coach. He was able to give you a kick in the ass when you needed it but always gave you confidence.”

ALLEN’S STABLE

Dodd’s next move wasn’t far; staying in Germany he was delighted when a spot opened up in Bertram Allen’s stable.

“Bertram really gave me a chance I have to say. He let me ride some fantastic horses and go to some terrific shows all over Europe.

“Bertram is all about feeling and you learn to really work with the horses, not to mention you learn how to go fast!”

While at Allen’s, Dodd applied for and was accepted to the FEI Young Riders Academy (YRA) – an opportunity he described as “invaluable’’ in his education.

“Where do I start? They (the YRA board and Rolex) have really done so much for me, I cannot even mention it all.

“They sent us to universities, veterinary clinics and seminars all over Europe with lectures on everything from running your own stable to veterinary to press relations and much, much more.

“During my time with Bertram, I was lucky enough to have Marcus Ehning as my trainer, and as part of my Academy training, the YRA organised that I could continue to work with him a couple of times per week as his stable was only 30 minutes away.

“This year they have organised that I could be based with, and trained by, Jos Lansink for six months. I was given two free stables for my horses and an apartment.

“I also rode for Jos and am still working with him now, in fact we recently bought a very nice young horse together.

“It’s a little bit surreal for me to think of all that they have done for so many of us younger riders. It’s a credit to the organisers and also to Rolex for funding it.”

NEW VENTURE

Dodd’s most recent move is probably the most challenging one as he has decided to go out on his own.

“I haven’t moved far, I am still in the middle of Belgium, in Balen. I am renting the stables from Emma McIntosh. I have a couple of people who train with me and luckily have some great people to work with.

“A student of mine, Tamara Zahid, unfortunately is unable to ride for the next couple of months so I’m lucky enough to have the ride of her three talented horses while she is out of action. This includes Belmonde, that Bertram and I both rode in the past.

“I have just got a new eight-year-old that seems really exciting and I plan to build him up for next year as I think he is a horse that could jump anything. The immediate plans are to put a good sustainable business together and to try to have a stable full of top quality horses.

“Long term the plan is simple. I’m going to do all I can to get to the top of the sport and be a part of the Irish team.

“To be a part of a team like the one that provided such an amazing performance as the one our guys did at the Europeans in Gothenburg recently; that’s why we get up in the morning.”