A CHAT with some pals in a pub is what started a passion for horses in Cavan man Jimmy Egan, and that has been going strong for 27 years now.

“I got involved in horses through my friendship with Simon and Anne Trent. We socialised in a local pub and Simon asked me if I wanted to go to a show with him. The Clarke families’ Cavan Equestrian Centre is the nearest to us so we went there.

“It was all new to me, but it must have had a big effect... as I bought my first horse soon after that.

“I currently own five horses and three are in work – the 14-year-old Cornet Son, nine-year-old Eldorado and seven-year-old Legaland Double Clear.

“Simon was the first person to ride for me and I stayed with him for 14 years. During that time we had many wins and placings at the ABC level, as it was called then. Some of the highlights for me were winning at the Millstreet International with the Irish-bred Diamond Lad gelding Quicksand, a mares Championship with Little Jewel and the Mini Grand Prix in Ballivor with Shoot the Breeze.”

Egan then had an association with Malahide-based Conor Swail, before Mervyn Clarke took over, and now the three Butler brothers are his choice.

“After that I spent a couple of years with Conor Swail and Barry O’Connor who were based in Malahide, Co Dublin. At that time most of our success came with a Flagmount Diamond stallion called Greenacres Diamond,” he continued.

“Following that, Mervyn Clarke rode horses for me. The highlight for me at that time was finishing third place in the prestigious Boomerang final with the German-bred stallion Cornet Son (Cornet Obolensky x Ramin).

“I have been with the Butler family for six years now. In the beginning Edward rode Cornet Son to many placings in the New Heights Champions Series.

“One day I remember well was when we finished runner-up at the Louth County show; we were narrowly beaten by Edward’s brother Alexander riding Hallowberry Cruise!"

“Another great day was when Edward and Cornet Son finished third in the International Grand Prix in Millstreet, just behind Laura Renwick. The pair also placed in the Grand Prix in Balmoral that year.”

Jimmy has also seen good success with the younger horses.

“In 2015, Alexander had quite a lot of success with a youngster of mine Shancor Ramiro (Ramiro B x Colourfield). The pair competed at the six-year-olds in Dublin that year.

“That same year Alexander and myself bought the Dutch-bred gelding Eldorado (Zapatero x Kojak). He was six years old at that stage and he had very little experience.

“In 2016 he won the very challenging six and seven-year-old Hankook final at the September show in Cavan Equestrian Centre, and last year he was placed in the New Heights Grand Prix classes in Tattersalls and Barnadown.

“This year he has already notched up wins in Arezzo, Lier in Belgium and Oppglabbeek as well as at home in Mullingar and Omagh.”

Jimmy had watched the Butler brothers on the circuit for many yers before moving his horses to their yard.

“I first got to know the lads’ father, Jim Butler, many years ago when he shod for both Simon and Mervyn in his time as a farrier.

“I chose the Butler brothers Edward and Alexander to ride my horses six years ago in 2012 because of their experience and success on the national and international show jumping circuit.

“I had watched Alexander competing Will Wimble at the highest level and Edward had just returned from Germany. Last year Nicholas took over the ride of Cornet Son and has placed in both Cavan and Barnadown.”

Egan has purchased young and old horses through the years, but hasn’t delved into the breeding side of the game just yet.

“Over the years I have bought horses of all ages. I purchased foals, youngsters and graded horses but I’ve never bred any myself.

“The first thing I look at in a potential purchase under saddle, honestly, is the jump. It is the most important thing to me. I look at everything else after that.

“I have been lucky enough to own some lovely horses. The ones that stand out for me have probably been Shoot the Breeze, Little Jewel, Quicksand, Cornet Son and Eldorado. I owned many more but they, in particular, were, and are, all very talented and have given me immense pleasure over the years.

“If I had to pick a favourite it would be Eldorado because he and Alexander have done so well this year,” the Cavan man said.

Having entered the sport on a whim, Egan gives credit to those who have helped him learn the sport, and is currently very happy with the support he receives from the Butler family.

“I have learned so much over the years from all the people I’ve had horses with. At the moment I consider every member of the Butler family part of the team with my horses; Alexander, Nicholas, Edward their parents Jim and Colette and of course Katie Ann Grendon and Claire O’Broin.”

Jimmy would love to see more prize money and a better standard of competition with ranking classes introduced to the Irish circuit.

“With regard to anything I would like improved for show jumping owners in Ireland, and I know we are a small country, but as an owner of two Grand Prix horses it saddens me that my horses spend so much time in Europe.

“The prize money and ranking classes are what make us travel so much to try to achieve something that I wish was available at home.”