TREVOR Breen doesn’t just ride horses, he climbs mountains with them. The Irish show jumper’s journey from teacher and rugby player to international equestrian star is astonishing. As he recounts the highs, lows and heart behind the horsepower, Breen’s story is clearly not simply one of talent, but one of grit and unshakeable belief.

Before he ever dreamed of gracing the hallowed grass of Hickstead, Breen was testing out his options and ended up standing in front of a blackboard.