THE early months of 2015 have been a period of significant change for Meath show jumper Edward Butler, who has moved away from his home base in Kells to take up residency in Emerald International EC at Mucklon in Co Kildare.

Although the centre has been offered for sale in a tender process which closed last week, Butler has a 12-month contract to remain at the centre which he believes will allow him to expand his business and his clientele.

“When I got the opportunity to move to Emerald, it was hard to resist as it is such a good facility,” he tells The Irish Field. “The arenas and stables are top class and it’s such a central location for clients and for going to shows. This facility allows us to work with the young and more experienced horses that we have in the stables and for me a necessary step in the progression of my business.”

Like his brothers Alexander and Nicholas, Edward began his show jumping career at home in Kells with the help of parents Jim and Colette, who provided support and advice.

“Both my parents have plenty of experience and have played an important role in our careers. They both have equestrian experience and are behind us all the way. They helped me a lot when I returned from Germany, but I felt that the business needed to progress and Emerald offered everything in terms of facilities.”

Like many Irish riders, Butler gained much of his knowledge while working abroad in bigger yards.

“I was doing quite well in Ireland and one year I won a derby class in Granard and won a prize of a two-week training bursary with Eddie Macken in Germany,” he recalls. “I spent two weeks with Eddie and from there Harold McGahern organised a job for me with Jens Meyer, with whom I spent a further two years riding and learning the trade.”

He continues: “I rode all Jens’ horses including the stallion Cashman, on whom I competed at 1.50m level. In total I spent 12 years in Germany in various yards. I competed internationally, while learning how to produce horses. It’s an experience that I would recommend to any rider.”

As many riders will testify, their career progression can be influenced by decisions made along the road.

“Like everyone, there have been decisions that I have made, that I would change if I had a chance. I never worked for Eddie Macken, even for a short period. He was a great influence and unfortunately he offered me the job after I accepted the job with Meyer,” said Butler, adding: “Everything happens for a reason and if you learn by a mistake, it’s a lesson.”

While working abroad, Butler observed some of the differences between how Irish and European show jumpers were produced.

“In Ireland we have some of the most talented riders, but on the continent they place more emphasises on flatwork. In Ireland we start competing our horses from four-year-olds, which I believe is too soon as it puts too much pressure on them,” he maintains. “There should be more classes for style at this age and so putting emphasis on flatwork, this would benefit both the horse and rider.”

He continues: “In terms of competition, we have very good prize money on the national circuit and the competition is of a very high standard. What I would like to see is less prize money for the very young horse classes and this money being transferred to the Grand Prix classes. This would also discourage riders to be jumping their young horses too early.”

In 2012 Butler returned home to set up his business, armed with much valued experience.

“I suppose the main reason for returning home was the fact that I had my family yard and my family to help me. My wish was always to set up my own business and I knew that I would have all the support in Ireland to do this. Alexander and Nicholas were doing well and riding some good horses for clients. As a family we had a good reputation for producing horses and it made sense to utilise what was already established.

“It is expensive to set up, as you need the facilities and most riders have built up their business with the help of their parents. Once I got home, it wasn’t long before I had a nice few horses to campaign. I found that owners in Ireland were more willing to take a chance and trust you with a horse.”

It didn’t take Butler long to settle back into the Irish scene and within a short period he was featuring in the placings, his first big win back at home being the 1.40m jump-off class at Mullingar International.

“I came back in during the recession, but to be honest it didn’t really affect us. I think the recession affected amateur riders who are trying to hold down jobs outside the industry. In our business, those who own the top horses are usually in the equestrian industry. Once you have a good horse for sale, there will always be a client looking to purchase. I suppose we are lucky in this way.”

While Butler had been away, show jumping in Ireland underwent big changes, some of which he views as a real progression of the sport in Ireland.

“The big change that I noticed was the introduction of the Irish Sport Horse Studbook series and the Premier Grand Prix Series. I think the Premier Series was a great idea but again it puts pressure on riders who only have a few top horses.

“For me, the fact that you must also jump in the Grand Prix the day before, means that horses are jumping too much. In the middle of the season for example, within a week my horses had jumped six Grand Prix classes. There needs to be another way to rank riders to compete in the Premier Series,” he says. “I feel that Showjumping Ireland’s idea of a ranking system is necessary but needs to be thought out. There are plenty of other countries where a ranking system is in place and works very well.”

The training regime had also changed while he was away. “Ireland has invested a lot into training, which is hugely important, but I also think that this needs to have stricter guidelines. I think that trainers should also have to complete a riding test as examiners can then see what talents they have on a horse, not just on paper,” he maintains.

At the age of 32, Butler is now firmly established on the Irish circuit and while he plans to produce horses in Ireland to the very highest level, he is also keen to compete on the international circuit.

“I enjoy working with any age horse and so our yard is open to young and more experienced horses. They are all produced according to the stage that they are at. Each horse has an individual programme, tailored for them. We have a few in for breaking, along with the more experienced ones,” he says. “There is no doubt it is hard work, but I still have the support of my family and two new staff members, Connor McLoughlin and Kate Bruton.”

Armed with some top horses, along with a top facility, Butler certainly has the ingredients to succeed.

HORSES

Burnt Again

7yo ch g

Sire: Ringwood Harley Carel

Dam: Whitehall Masson

Owner: Michael O’Callaghan and Ronnie Kelly

Breeder: Ronnie Kelly.

This horse was campaigned by Neal Fearon last year up to level. He is new to our stable but is settling in well. Last year he won the HSI class in Mullingar and was placed in a good few of the young horse classes. He is an exciting addition to the yard as I feel he is a horse with huge potential and could easily go on to win some of the bigger classes.

Caugherty

13yo b m

Sire: Limmerick

Dam: Tiffcrum Girl

Owner: Angela Taggart

Breeder: Mr P. Tiernan

This mare gave me my start after returning from Germany. When I got her she had only jumped up to 1.30m. It took her a season to come into her own and within a year she was jumping 1.50m with ease. She was in Arezzo last year and won a competitive 1.40m class there. She has also been placed in two Premier Series. The plan is to aim her for Dublin next year and hopefully do a bit of travelling with her too.

CSF Whiterock Cruise

8yo ro m

Sire: Cruising

Dam: Coolcaum Ella

Owner: Anne Clancy

Breeder: Patrick Connolly

This mare was a bit short of experience and started off a bit late. She did not do a lot as a six-year-old and began to find her feet as a seven-year-old. Last year she showed a lot of potential and I am confident that she will be moving up to National Grand Prix level and possibly Premier Series at the latter end of the year.

Cornet Son

11yo g st

Sire: Cornet Obolensky

Dam: Roma

Owner: James Egan

Breeder: Urs Leimer

This horse for me has real championship level potential. As an eight-year-old he was a bit green and only really jumped to 1.35m level. He was a little bit behind as a younger horse but he has caught up. I plan to aim him at Dublin and hopefully he will make a few of the Nations Cup teams.

Rincoola RUA

8 yo b m

Sire: Diamant de Semilly

Dam: Rincoola Abu

Owner: Harold McGahern

Breeder: Harold McGahern

This mare has been in the Butler yard since she was four. Alexander rode her with much success. She has been very consistent throughout her career with some very good results to show. Last year she won the HSI seven-year-old final. This year she will have no problem jumping National Grand Prix and hopefully move up to the Premier Series.

Shalamar Cassino

6yo b g

Sire: Cassino

Dam: Ploverfield Lastnews

Owner: Jim and Tony Magennis

Breeder: Frank O’Connor

I only got this horse last March so we are still getting to know each other. He is a horse with a lot of scope and potential. Last year he was placed in the Boomerang final in Millstreet. This horse will be very competitive this year in the young horse classes at Dublin.

Small Hero

9yo ch g

Sire: Stakkato

Dam: Lilith

Owner: Fiona Sheridan

Breeder: Heinz Meier

This horse came from Germany last year having been campaigned by an amateur rider. He was well schooled and settled in very well with a good few placings. He competed in the Premier Series at the end of the year and coped well. He will take on the Premier Series this year.