WE HAVE all become accustomed to USA-based Irish riders winning competition after competition on American-owned horses, but what about a rider who is based in Tipperary that is doing exactly the same thing thanks to owner Mary Ellen De Ruschi?

Greg Broderick is fortunate that his talent was brought to the attention of a worldwide audience when he partnered the Irish-bred gelding MHS Going Global at the Rio Olympics in 2016, but it seems that this talent had been recognised years earlier by De Ruschi, who is based in Pennsylvannia.

“Years ago I saw Greg Broderick riding at a show in Limerick when he was just a teenager, I was so taken with his natural ability and feel with every sort of young horse that I vowed to own a horse or horses for him to ride one day.

“At the moment I have two horses with Greg in Ireland. The 11-year-old Dutch-bred gelding Duco. He is by Vigaro out of Upperlaine, a mare by Calvados. He was the horse on which Greg secured the New Heights Champions Series title last year having won rounds in the Meadows Equestrian and Portmore, we are hoping that he will move up to being a Nations Cup horse this year.

“The other is Exclusive Van Meyershoeve Z, an eight-year-old Belgian-bred mare by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof out of a mare by Clinton.

“I also have three horses with Greg’s cousin, Oliver McCarthy, based in America. The horses that are here in America are sales prospects,” explained Mary Ellen De Ruschi.

LIFELONG HORSEWOMAN

“I have ridden competitively all my life both in Ireland and America, mainly in show hunters and working hunters. I have recently been inspired to do some show jumping in America on a former Grand Prix horse that I bought from Greg’s father, Austin.

“MHS Shamrock is a 12-year-old Irish bred by OBOS Quality out of a Cavalier Royale mare Mill Royale. He recorded fantastic results as a young horse with Greg on board, competing for Ireland at the World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Lanaken as well as in the six-year-old championships at the Dublin Horse Show.

“Unfortunately he was injured and cannot return to top-level jumping. Here in America ,we have a Masters’ Division at the bigger shows for older folks as a ‘thank you’ and give-back to the owners.

“I think the height is 1.15m or 1.20m and the prize money is great! These classes are usually held in the Grand Prix arena. It’s top class!”

BUYING STRATEGY

So how does Mary Ellen decide which horses to buy and how does she come to this decision?

“I have separate criteria for investment horses. For Greg to ride, I’d obviously look for a good jumper; but it has to have a super canter as well.

“I prefer big, powerful horses, capable of sustaining three days of big European tracks and the Main Arena in Dublin.

“I’m more concerned with breeding with a mare... for taking embryos. When looking for a horse for the American market, again a good jumper, but I like either an equitation-type, or a bouncy, speedy type that can be chased to the front rail. Pony-type!

“I think Duco is probably the most talented horse I’ve ever owned. We have high expectations for him. As Greg has referred to in the press previously, he had a few niggaly problems early on in his career but they have been sorted out and hopefully he will just continue to improve and we can look forward to many successful days of competition.

“I have been travelling back and forth to Ireland for many years and have been very lucky to have enjoyed many fantastic days at horse shows. I have been lucky to have accumulated too many wonderful memories at the Dublin Horse Show to choose just one as my favourite. Cob championships, young horse championships, Ireland winning the Aga Khan. There is something very special about Dublin for me.

“If I had to make any suggestions as to how things could be made better in Ireland from an owner’s point of view, I would say that the governing bodies should try to get more sponsors so that the give-back in prize money is better.

“Ireland is a great place for producing young horses but there is little allure for owners to stay in it and take their horses to the top level. I am American and a lot the top level of show jumpers here are all Irish.

“The owners want to be here or in Europe. Duco and Exclusive Van Meyershoeve Z are in Ireland only because I believe in Greg and the Irish system of producing.

“But truthfully, Greg has to be in Europe with these horses during much of the season. Barnadown does a marvellous job, as does Cavan Equestrian.

“I think Ireland needs more venues like that. Horse Sport Ireland should support those venues. With the amount of money invested in Ireland in racing, it seems to take precedence over show jumping which means the sport misses out,” concluded Mary Ellen de Ruschi.