At just 26 years of age, Alexander Butler is a prime example of the depth of Ireland’s young show jumping talent. Butler boasts an impressive show jumping career which includes over 20 international victories along with leading Young Rider titles in 2008 and 2009 and a national speed title in 2011. In 2012, he was National Champion and Rookie of the Year and last year won the Autumn Grand Prix League.

Part of the young rider European Championship squad in 2007, Butler has gone on to represent Ireland on three occasions at super league level and was on three senior Nations Cup teams, two of which were winning teams. In the young horse division, he took the honours in the five-year-old consolation class at the WBFSH World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Lanaken last year with Talk Is Cheap.

Like many young show jumpers, Butler’s progression to the professional ranks happened quickly and under the watchful eye of his parents, Jim and Colette. It was from the family homestead in Kells, Co Meath that he learned his trade and recorded most of his wins. However, despite his much appreciated family support, Butler was keen to establish his own yard and last February he decided to take the plunge and set up business with his partner Katie-Ann Grendon. Now based in Straffan, Co Kildare, the couple’s new facility consists of 16 stables and is equipped with all the facilities for producing top class show jumpers.

For Butler, he felt that the time was right time to spread his wings.

LOGICAL

“My brother Edward moved home from Germany after 10 years, so I felt it was a great opportunity to allow him to expand the yard at home, while I set up my own business. My partner Katie-Ann Grendon has a fantastic yard and the timing just seemed right. Katie-Ann and I work well together and for me it was the next logical move,” he explained. “Yes, I am grateful to my parents for all their help, but there comes a time when you need to move on”.

Despite the move, both of Butler’s parents are still integral to his career.

“My parents are very much a part of my business. My father Jim shoes all my horses for me, my home is less than an hour away and we are all at the same shows every weekend. My two brothers, Edward and Nicholas, are also show jumping and this is hugely beneficial as I always have someone to help or go to if I need some advice as we are all in the same business.”

Butler knows the importance of a strong support team.

“Show jumping is about teamwork between you and the horse and with your owners and your staff,” he remarks. “If you aren’t working to achieve the same goals, it’s difficult to get the results.

“At the moment, I have two full-time staff. Lisa Bruton is my groom and Patrick Sheehy is my stable jockey. They both started with me last summer and I am very lucky to have two great people as part of my team and I am very appreciative of all their great work.

“I have always had great help from Neal Fearon with my horses and Davide Focardi is my horse physiotherapist and chiropractor, helping to keep the horses in tip top condition. My partner Katie-Ann is an important part of the team and she works just as hard as me when it comes to building up the business.”

During his career, Butler has recognised the importance of looking after his owners and over the years he has established good relationships with them.

“Lucky all my owners followed me on my new venture. They are all very loyal and I have been very fortunate to gain some new great owners. The recession did have an effect on the industry as a whole, but I had very loyal owners who are all horsey people and understand the ups and downs of the business.”

Butler is first to admit that show jumping in Ireland has advanced in recent years, particularly with the introduction of classes such as the Premier Series, but he still feels that some changes are needed.

SPOILT FOR CHOICE

“We have good enough competitions on the Irish circuit, but perhaps too many of them to choose from. I feel that young horses end up being over-jumped before they are eight years old. Prize money has improved but I feel that if it was increased in the Grand Prix shows, it would encourage riders to stay in Ireland and encourage owners to keep horses.”

Like all sports people, show jumpers have the challenge of delivering results, but they also have the added pressure of trying to attract sponsorship and good horses with the ability to compete internationally at a top level for a sustained period.

Butler believes there are fewer good young horses in Ireland than in Europe and they seem to be more expensive to buy here. In Europe buyers have a bigger pool of horses to choose from so their prices have to be more competitive, he maintains.

Luckily for Butler, his move from home to Straffan has not meant his circumstances have changed dramatically - his new yard in Kildare has a stable full of promising horses and he has good owners backing him. He still has the same goals, too. The short-term goal is to compete in the international classes at the RDS next month, while he is also hoping to be selected for some of this summer’s Nations Cup teams. In the longer term, his ultimate goal is to win a medal at a major championship.

Horses

Will Wimble (ISH)

14yo gr, g

Sire: Touchdown

Dam: The Woolsack

Owner: Harold Mc Gahern

Breeder: Harold Mc Gahern

“This horse has got me to where I am now, I have been on six teams and we won numerous international Grand Prix and national championship titles. He has been such a consistent and loyal horse to me and I am forever grateful to have him as part of my team as I know how hard it is to get a horse as good as him. I plan to jump him mainly abroad.”

Vimminka

12yo, b, m

Sire: Nabab De Reve

Dam: Naminka

Owner: Ladycastle Syndicate

Breeder: Fam. Verhey

“This horse was formerly ridden by Scottie Barclay and is now owned by the Grendon and O’Broin families. This mare has a lot of ability, I spent last year getting used to her and now she is ready for Nations Cups. We have already clocked up some good results this year in Vilamoura.”

Monastery Stud More Pleasure

10yo, ch, m

Sire: Stolzenberg

Dam: Formula

Owner: Michael Leddy

Breeder: Jutta Hilmer

“I am very pleased with this mare as she has stepped up to 1.50m level with ease. I plan to aim her at the Premier Series this year. She has been very consistent in 1.45m and 1.50m level in Vilmoura and Lanaken this year.”

Dekato

6yo, b, g

Sire: Upgrade

Dam: Stakkato

Owner: Alexander Butler & Neal Fearon

Breeder: W. Van De Mheen

“This horse is owned by myself and Neal Fearon and we sourced him in Belgium last year. We really think that he has a very bright future. He is very careful and has loads of scope and I would go as far as saying that he is the best young horse I have ever sat on. The plan is to produce him slowly because I feel he is one definitely for the future.”

Hallowberry Cruz (ISH)

8yo, gr, s

Sire: Cruising

Dam: Calcutta Clover

Owner: Caroline Byrne

Breeder: Caroline Byrne

“This is a new horse to my team; we recently brought him to Lanaken and while there he stepped up to 1.40m level. He looks to have loads of ability and a really good attitude for the job and he is a horse that I am really looking forward to campaigning.”

Other horses in Butler’s string for 2014: