FOR a show jumping yard to succeed in the modern era it has to change with the times. The world has gotten much smaller and although we are a small island there is no reason why we can’t produce horses to the same standard as any yard in mainland Europe.”

This is the forward thinking attitude of Philip McGuane, the main rider at Barry O’Connor’s stable in Malahide, Co Dublin.

Sourcing young horses with international potential has been O’Connor’s business for many years now. He spends a lot of time finding horses both here in Ireland and in Europe as well as investing in horses with other owners.

At the moment the names associated with the horses in his yard would peak the interest of any potential client.

Beat Mandli, Stal Hendrix, David O’Brien and Conor Swail all part-own horses with O’Connor and trust their investments to reach their full potential with McGuane in the saddle.

“I have been here with Barry for five years now. I came here from my home in Clare, most of the riding I did up to then had been in Banner Equestrian Centre with former Army rider Jimmy Quinn. He knew Barry and recommended me to him.

“Since then I have been lucky enough to learn a huge amount and ride some really nice and special horses.

O’Connor relocated his horses to The Netherlands for the winter months, before returning to Dublin in April for the summer show season.

“At the moment we have a dozen horses in work. Three of these belong to Canadian rider Vanessa Mannix and when she isn’t here I keep them competition fit for her.

“I compete the other horses, the youngest of which is six years old. Belle du Courtil (Kannan x Luccianno) is a chesnut mare jointly owned by Barry and Paul Hendrix. She went well in Vilamoura and was in Dublin last year. This year she won a class at a two-star show in Holland. She recently qualified for the RDS in Barnadown and we feel she has lots of potential.”

Just last weekend, McGuane competed at the international show in Bolesworth, placing sixth in the two-star Grand Prix with O’Connor and Mandli’s Judas VD Donkhoeve. The talented eight-year-old is bound for the seven and eight-year-old international class at the Dublin Horse Show in August.

“Judas VD Donkhoeve (Ugano Sitte x Mr Blue) is an eight-year-old grey gelding owned by Beat Mandli and Barry. I got him in September last year. He jumped in the Cavan International show and was third in one of the 1.40m classes.

“We had him in Holland at the start of this year and he jumped in the 1.40m and 1.45m classes.

“We brought him to Balmoral and he was sixth in the 1.45m and had one down in the Grand Prix. He qualified for Dublin at The Meadows recently.

“My other eight-year-old is Entertainer V (Corland x Numero Uno). He’s a bay gelding also owned by Beat and Barry. I started riding him in December, he was quite green when he came but he progressed quite quickly and placed in two 1.40m metre classes in Balmoral. He then went on to finish second in the RDS qualifier in Barnadown.

“Dynamite N (Nintender x Landfriese) is a seven-year-old bay gelding owned by Conor (Swail) and David (O’Brien).

“David and his wife Christina had him as a four, five and six-year-old and I got him at the end of last year. He is showing a lot of potential and had some good results in the Midden Limburg show in March.

“The latest addition to the yard is a six-year-old mare E-Lady (Zidane – Aldatus Z). She has jumped 1.40m and we are looking forward to working with her.

“The plan for most of these horses would be that they will probably do another year or so here in Ireland and then if they are showing enough promise will go to Conor or to another rider of Beat’s or Hendrix’ to gain more experience, wherever would allow the horse to meet its full potential.

“Conor is back and forth a lot and when he is here he helps coach me and is a great help to the team. He came to Balmoral recently to help Vannessa (Mannix) and it’s great to have him on the ground for advice.”

McGuane has gelled well with O’Connor, who is a hugely influential figure on the Irish show jumping circuit.

“I think Barry and I work well together, he has just recently achieved his FEI level three coaching exams. We pick and choose the best shows to go in Ireland with Dublin being our main aim each year.

“In addition to the great support we have from owners abroad we are also fortunate to have great partners at home like Martin O’Dea.”

When asked about his rider, O’Connor said: “Philip has a rare work ethic and attention to detail that will carry him a long way in this sport. This has been rewarded by the confidence of various owners that have chosen to own horses in partnership with me in Ireland.”