If you could meet any breeder in the world, who would it be and why?

Over the past few years I have been very fortunate to meet with, and learn from, successful breeders around the world. These encounters have had a significant positive influence on my own breeding programme at Quarryfield Farm in Co Sligo.

Each year I make a number of horse-related international trips and, on my return, friends and fellow breeders call or message to ask about the farm visits, new contacts, learnings and so on.

Big Talk For Breeders is a podcast series of interviews with internationally-successful sport horse breeders. The interviews help to bring the breeding world closer by sharing insights into the experiences and influences that have brought these breeders to where they are today.

The international reach of the podcast has been incredible with the top 10 listener countries at present being Ireland, UK, USA, The Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Sweden, Germany, Denmark and Australia respectively.

Equestrian sport can often leave even the most successful of breeders in the shadows. How often are we given the opportunity to learn about the makers of our sports greatest equine athletes?

This podcast aims to put those being interviewed in the limelight. Unlike a conference or event, these interviews offer breeders an opportunity to listen in their own time. Some breeders choose to listen to the interviews while mucking-out, while others listen to them on long drives. The absence of video and text gives greater power and context to the speakers words.

Intrigued by Kalina Silverman’s TEDx talk “How to skip the small talk and connect with anyone”, I subsequently came across her Big Talk Question Card Game. The game struck me as an interesting way to encourage breeders in the Knowledge Transfer programme to share their own background and experiences in the sport horse industry.

Using the Big Talk card game concept I developed 30 new questions, specifically oriented towards horse breeders. The game was trialed with the Waterford Sport Horse Breeders group in early 2018. I then played the game with each of the five Knowledge Transfer groups that I facilitate throughout Ireland.

The enthusiasm that the game received encouraged me to go further with the concept and create a series of interviews with successful breeders, using a similar style of questions. The interview is based on approximately 10 ‘Big Talk’ questions, with a final interview duration of 20-30 minutes.

Big Talk For Breeders has been nominated for the Social Media award at this years Irish Sport Horse Industry Awards, which takes place in The K Club on April 13th.

Click here to listen to Big Talk for Breeders

Luc Henry - Stud Hero

In September 2018 the very first episode of Big Talk For Breeders was recorded with Luc Henry, at his farm near Liège in Belgium. As a breeder, in addition to his many partnerships in breeding and sport, Luc has been involved with horses such as Olympic Competitors Bogeno and Tic Tac, Zangersheide-owned stallions Aganix du Seigneur and Dourkhan Hero Z, Irish-born and produced stallions Celtic Hero B Z and Ganesh Hero Z, and many more.

If I had to chose one breeder who has had the most significant impact on my own involvements in breeding, it would be Luc, and therefore it was important to me that I started the series with him.

Marily Power - Suma Stud

Episode two was recorded in County Kilkenny with Marily Power of Suma Stud. Together with her partner Susan Lanigan-O’Keefe, Marily bred Suma’s Zorro - winner of the $3m Rolex CP International at Spruce Meadows and the highest earning Showjumper world-wide in 2018.

As a breeder, stallion owner, judge and inspector the are very few areas within Ireland’s sport horse industry that have not been positively impacted by Marily’s involvement.

Tom Brennan - Mill House Stud

Returning to Kilkenny, episode three was recorded with Tom Brennan of Mill House Stud (MHS) - birthplace of Olympic Games competitor MHS Going Global and World Equestrian Games competitor Coral Springs.

Other notable horses flying the flag for the MHS prefix include MHS Washington, MHS Attraction, MHS La Scala, MHS Sanfrancisco, MHS Gabhran and MHS Carlos.

Floris Van Leuken - Holsten Stables

Episode four took me to the home of Floris Van Lueken. Floris and his partner Sandra Schmuecker breed and produce showjumpers at their base Holsten Stables in Putten, The Netherlands. Holsten Stables graduates include Cobra, Quality Time TN, Robin Hood, Beauminka, PMH Pollyanna and Agana Van’t Het Gerendal Z.

Floris is part of the Dutch Breeders Foundation of Showjumpers (DBFS). He is a key member of the Jumping selection committee for the successful Borculo Foal Auction in The Netherlands.

Alan Waldman - Waldman Horses

Episode 5 was also recorded in Putten (NED), this time with Alan Waldman. Originally from California (USA) Alan has now lived in The Netherlands for almost 20 years. He has achieved success as a rider, a dealer and as a breeder.

Show jumpers that have passed through Alan’s hands include double Olympic Gold medalist Big Star, World Cup winner Taloubet Z, World Equestrian Games competitors Eddie Blue, With Wings and Lizzie Mary - ridden by Alan’s fiancé Danielle Goldstein.