RIDER PROFILE: DANIEL McALINDEN

Age: 18

From: Loughrea, Co Galway.

Parents: Dorothy and Liam McAlinden.

Based with: At home in Loughrea.

Top horses: Fairfield in the Pub, Knockash Galanta, Knock Ash, Neat Midnight Magic and Leanorth Grey Matter.

Trainer: Ralph Conroy from Milchem Equestrian centre.

Academy mentor: Greg Broderick is my mentor and is a big influence on me. He competed in the 2016 Olympics, is the national champion and is one of the best producers of young horses in Ireland.

Major achievements: I won the International 1.30 two phase at Millstreet Horse Show 2017; the 1.20 young rider national championships and was fifth in 1.30m championships. I was fourth in the 1.25-1.30 young riders at the RDS; second and fourth in the 1.20 final at the October charity show in Millstreet.

Goals for 2018: To be competitive in the Connaught leagues and the National Grand Prix League, to qualify as many horses as I can for the RDS and to win a class at it, to buy and sell more horses, expand my business and gain more clients.

Key things learned from the SJI Young Riders Academy: I have learnt a huge amount from the Academy from everyone who spoke to us like the start-up of a business with Barry O’Connor, planning goals and organisation with Cian O’Connor and Rodrigo Pessoa, learning how to be mentally prepared with Jim Hickey, learning how to speak properly to the media with Louise Parkes and from all the tax, insurance and banking people.

Based in Ireland or overseas in the future: I am based in Ireland.

What would help the industry in Ireland: I think running more Indoor National and International competitions in Ireland during the winter would help people keep their businesses running 12 months a year without having to bring their horses abroad in the winter.

Compiled by Emer Bermingham