"A MAN dedicated to the sport of show jumping,” is how his colleagues in SJI aptly describe him. For many, Paddy Mullen is the person to be credited with changing the face of amateur show jumping in Ireland.

His SJI colleagues believe that he developed amateur showjumping in a progressive way while always kept the sporting element there. In moving it forward in this manner, it allowed this category to be open to all levels of riders. Paddy is always keen to bring in new blood to develop the sport. People who served with him on the amateur committee say he just gets things done, he picks up the phone and asks. For Paddy, there is no time like the present!

Without a doubt, Paddy loves the atmosphere around the amateurs and it is said, that he is often the last to leave the party. Prior to Covid-19, he went every year to Olympia with the winner of the Dingo’s A class, which he has sponsored for over 30 years. Paddy was the instigator of the Amateur Awards and as many would say, the entire party weekend.

Sharon Ryan and Diamond Pierre, past winners of the 2016 Dingo Final at the Amateur National Championships in Mullingar, with Paddy Mullen

His daughter Toni said that this is one of the highlights of the year for his father. “I think he enjoys hearing what folk do for a living and how the horses and amateurs classes give them something to aim for at weekends. Dad’s trademark is for permanently having a sweet in his pocket and always having them on offer for friend or foe, after a full interrogation a new friend is always made. Dad knows so many people in all walks of life from all over Ireland and has a great memory for names and places.”

During his time as chair of the amateur committee, Paddy was instrumental in getting the amateurs a place at the Dublin Horse Show and also for the sponsorship of the classes. In more recent years, he also worked hard to get them their place in the main arena in Dublin.

Hunting

Although Paddy did not compete in the amateur arena himself, he has a great love of the horse and of hunting and many around him would say he was fearless on the hunting field. During his national school years, he developed an interest in his local hunt, the Ballymacad Foxhounds. The hunt would meet in the surrounding villages in the North Meath district and he would walk or cycle to follow his growing passion.

By chance he was given the opportunity to ride a Connemara pony belonging to Mrs Farrell, the original owner of Gigginstown House. He was in luck too, as the local parish priest Fr O’Farrell also had a keen interest in horses and the hunt. Consequently Paddy would get a pardon from going to school. Instead of a day in class, he had an educational day in the countryside, being self taught on the aspects of riding and jumping. This became a weekly arrangement between Mrs Farrell, the parish priest and Paddy, and so began Paddy’s love of hunting, Connemara ponies, and later racing.

Although he enjoyed showjumping, hunting was Paddy’s first love and he was rewarded as he became Hon. Secretary of the Ballymacad Hunt in the late 1970 and 1980s. Mounted for years on his renowned Connemara pony Jack, his love of Connemaras started there. Jack never missed a day hunting and was equally as polished in the show jumping ring with Paddy’s son, Pat.

In the early 1990s, Paddy invested in a new horse called Tiny (Grecian Gold), a Connemara/thorougbred cross. Showing his versatility, this little horse carried him over many miles coupled with fond memories of Meath and Westmeath hunting territory. During the show jumping season, Tiny clocked up numerous wins with Paddy’s son Brian and daughter Toni in the amateur field.

In 2000, Brian represented Ireland at Fife Scotland where he was part of the winning Amateur Nations Cup Team. The year before this little grey horse competed in the RDS Amateur championship in Simmonscourt with Toni, before Brian took over the reins for the popular hunt chase in the main ring.

The unique versatility and adaptability of the Connemara breed prompted Paddy to source his sister Fattie (Majestic Gold). Fattie, a renowned working hunter champion in Ireland, qualified for HOYS on three different occasions. Paddy is a very humble owner who enjoys all the prestige associated with the showring with glee. His passion for the Connemara breeding is still strong today.

Connemara ponies

Mature and youngstock in his stables are by some of the Connemara world’s best known ponies including I love you Melody, Silver Cloud, Banagher de Breageon, Ashfield Sparrow, Cuchulainn and Glendine Kestrel. Paddy takes great satisfaction seeing his granddaughters out competing on this progeny in all disciplines, whilst watching his grandsons on the rugby and GAA pitches.

It was due to the success and interest of Toni, Brian, Stephen and Pat in the pony ranks before progressing to horses in the show jumping arena that gave Paddy the interest in the SJAI and subsequently amateurs. As he is never one to dilute a passion, it came as no surprise that he put his heart into this new quest.

Paddy was always keen to develop a category whereby people who worked full-time could compete on a level playing field at weekends. He was a regular face doing the starters’ board, where he thrived meeting people and sharing a good joke, but at the same time kept the board moving!

He was a staunch supporter of the Midland Cub Hunters League, run by Brian and Anne Gormley, Ado Kenny, and friends. For numerous years, Paddy, Noreen and his family were the organisers behind the two-day horse and pony jumping held at Oldcastle Agricultural Show. This led to the inspiration behind the well known Dingo’s Amateur Final.

Due to Paddy’s dedication, determination and passion for the sport, the show soon outgrew its field capacity and relocated to nearby Loughcrew. This new location supported and raised money for Motor Neuron Disease, a condition his wife Noreen bore with great dignity.

Paddy’s idea of bringing in new blood to help develop the show proved evident here. The new location was spacious and boasted three to four rings with coloured poles for all sizes, standards and grades of horses and ponies. As a result of the changes, the show became an established date on the show jumping calendar for all. Again, the show’s prosperity went from strength to strength, but due to a change in family circumstances, the show date and Dingo’s Final is now hosted by close family friends, the Fagans at Mullingar Equestrian Centre.

Racing joy

It seems ironic that the first pony that Paddy rode originated at Gigginstown House as he later developed an interest in racing side. In the late 1980s, Paddy and Noreen built up a great friendship with the late Joe and Joan Downs from Newcastle West. Their daughter Orla was selected on the Irish Mounted Games Team with Paddy’s daughter Toni.

Joe had a few horses in training and himself and Paddy enjoyed many horse outings as a result. Soon Chelthenham and Aintree became a yearly fixture on the calendar for the pair, along with other friends they met along the way.

As a result of this new racing interest, Paddy bought a little Tidaro mare in the early 1990s, who ran in a few point-to-points successfully before retiring. Paddy has much to be proud of as many of the animals he bred went on to great things. Bright Aro enjoyed many days on the hunting field before retiring to the paddocks. Cruise GTI, a Classion Vison gelding, was sold and produced to three-star eventing level in England.

Another progeny, a Dow Jones Courcel mare followed suit in the dressage arena with great success in England after winning under saddle in the showing and working hunter rings in Ireland.

Great memories

Between the show jumping and racing interests, Paddy became close friends with the Brennan and Fagan family in Mullingar and many great memories were made while travelling with them. After taking up the ownership of their Let The Lion Roar gelding Lion’s Choice, he remained in Mark Fagan’s string and was successful on both the point-to-point field and under National Hunt rules.

His most recent winner Owl Creeks Bridge, won on his debut over fences at Fairyhouse last month. Paddy has a full brother two-year-old and a sister yearling by Let The Lion’s Roar out of the Tidaro’s mare daughter (Prince Arch). He also has an older home-bred half-sister to Irish Draught stallion Scrapman.

His special mare Majestic Gold has left a thoroughbred Road To Happiness filly and Mr Big Cat gelding to continue her legacy in the showring. Without a doubt, Paddy will have more exciting outings in the years to come.

Trojan worker

The work which Paddy has done in show jumping can never be understated. He is one of the longest serving SJI committee members and for sure, one of its most consistent sponsors. He has, and continues to give, his time for the betterment of the sport. Now via Zoom, he is always there to offer his advice as president of the SJI Leinster Region.

While his passion is for amateur show jumping, Paddy has served on many SJI committees. For many, the business knowledge that he brings to the table is invaluable. Outside of the office, amateur riders have the greatest respect for him and the work that he has done for their category. Due to his many interests in the equestrian world, Paddy Mullen has made many friends along the way and has built up a bank of memories, with many more to be made.