SLIGO dressage rider and breeder Simone Hession’s Breeders’ 10 feature proved a big hit last week and by the power of the internet went as far afield as Hong Kong, where master saddler and keen Treo Eile supporter Alan Ward is now based.

Many readers will know Alan through his Saoirse Saddlery business in Ballinasloe. “It was my mum Honoria, she ran Saoirse Saddlery with me, who sent me on the article. A really interesting story,” he told Susan Finnerty this week.

Headhunted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club to look after their 2,500-plus horses, Alan, his wife Georgie and their sons Pierce and George moved there in September to take up a new opportunity.