Horse Sport Ireland Podcast

Achieving elite performance in equestrian sport requires a strategic, holistic approach, planning years in advance to ensure the right blend of training, physical fitness, and mental resilience is in place for both horse and rider.  The Horse Sport Ireland High Performance Programmes are engineered to meet this immense challenge, developing a deep, sustainable pipeline of talent from youth ranks t...

The equestrian industry faces the challenge of continually producing top-tier athletes while ensuring the foundation of high-quality coaching is consistently maintained at every level, from grassroots to high performance. Without a solid system, the development of both horse and rider talent risks becoming inconsistent and insufficient to meet industry demand. This episode dives into how the Horse...

Mary Walsh chairs RDA Ireland—nearly 60 years, 40 groups, 400 riders weekly, zero paid executives, volunteer-led providing riding/therapy to adults/children with challenges.  From beginning with the organisation 30 years ago, progressed from volunteer to area rep to welfare officer (delivers Sport Ireland safeguarding) to chairperson. Also Michael Fox whose autistic son Leo (no family horse backgr...

What does it take to bounce back from major disappointment and win a five star just weeks later?  Four-time Olympian Austin O'Connor joins host Melanie Young to discuss resilience, strategic decision-making, and the team behind his success with top horse Colorado Blue. From comparing four different Olympic experiences to explaining why Burghley 2024 required choosing five-star competition over Eur...

Horse breeding demands massive financial investment and years of patience before seeing any return, making it one of the most challenging aspects of equestrian sport. Ballypatrick Stables has cracked the code on successful breeding operations, producing 60-70 foals annually through innovative embryo transfer techniques. In this podcast, we’ll discover the critical importance of starting with quali...

Recorded live at the 2025 Dublin Horse Show, this fast-moving special podcast drops you right at ringside. Enjoy exclusive behind the scenes chats with riders, managers, course designers and the crew who make the show happen. Catch up with competition winning riders, hear what it takes to ride with the best, and immerse yourself in all of the buzz of one of the biggest days in the Irish Horse Spor...

Seamus Hughes Kennedy, a star 23-year-old Irish show jumper, discusses his rapid rise in the sport, including winning double gold at the 2023 Young Rider Europeans and helping Ireland win the Nations Cup in Le Ball. He credits his family's equestrian background and mentors like Ger O'Neill for his development. Seamus highlights his journey with his horse, ESI Rocky, from a young, inexperienced hor...

Ireland’s continued success on the world stage depends on our ability to consistently breed and produce top-class sport horses In this episode, we’re exploring the exciting developments in Ireland’s horse breeding industry—where passion, tradition, and innovation come together. With increased support, targeted funding, and structured breeding programs, it’s never been more achievable for Irish bre...

In today’s eventing world, success isn’t limited to those with a horsey background—it’s earned through determination, clear vision, and consistent effort. For riders who start without early access to the sport, the journey can be more challenging, but it proves that with the right mindset and support, anything is possible. In this episode, we explore how one of Ireland’s top event riders carved ou...

As the road to the 2025 Nations Cup and European Championships begins, the focus isn’t just on selecting the strongest riders—it’s about building a pathway that supports young athletes through every stage of development. Today, we are going to explore how a more structured, athlete-focused approach is shaping Ireland’s youth show jumping programme for long-term impact.  Some brilliant insights you...

When life throws its toughest challenges, true champions find a way to rise. Trevor Breen’s story is one of resilience, grit, and the unwavering support that fuels extraordinary comebacks.  Trevor and his wife Caroline take us on an emotional journey from a devastating fall at the Hamburg Grand Prix—where he suffered a broken and dislocated neck and back. Some brilliant insights you’ll gain from t...

In this second episode with William Micklem, host John Kyle discusses William's inventions, his desire to make equestrianism a sport for all in Ireland and High Performance eventing in Ireland today. MORE INFORMATION Horse Sport Ireland Podcast is produced by DustPod.io  

In this episode host John Kyle discusses breeding and coaching with William Micklem for Part 1 of our interview with an equestrian "renaissance man". MORE INFORMATION Horse Sport Ireland Podcast is produced by DustPod.io  

In this episode host John Kyle welcomes three of Irish equestrianism's most recognised voices - Brendan McArdle, Louise Parkes and Paul Nolan - to discuss their own riding histories, how they got started in the media and some of their favourite moments from their careers. MORE INFORMATION Horse Sport Ireland Podcast is produced by DustPod.io  

In this episode host John Kyle welcomes GAIN's Alan Nolan to discuss his equestrian journey from local riding school to the world's biggest horse trials alongside a full-time job. Alan has some feeding tips and advice for horses following lockdown and explains how our Olympic athletes will access GAIN horse feeds in Tokyo. MORE INFORMATION Horse Sport Ireland Podcast is produced by DustPod.io  

In this episode host John Kyle discusses the return of national and international showjumping, including the HSI Premier and ISH Studbook Series, with High Performance Manager Michael Blake and reigning National Champion Francis Connors. MORE INFORMATION Horse Sport Ireland Podcast is produced by DustPod.io  

In this episode host John Kyle chats to 4 overseas-based Irish high performance riders - Shane Sweetnam, Michael Murphy, Judy Reynolds and Padraig McCarthy - about how they, their families and their horses have dealt with lockdown in each country and what their plans are for resumption of sport. MORE INFORMATION Horse Sport Ireland Podcast is produced by DustPod.io  

In this episode host John Kyle discusses the veterinary aspects of breeding and producing high performance horses with HSI's Breeding Programme veterinary consultant, Hugh Suffern. MORE INFORMATION Horse Sport Ireland Podcast is produced by DustPod.io  

Welcome to our first Podcast! Our podcast series is hosted by professional equestrian sports commentator John Kyle, and to launch the new series John speaks with Horse Sport Ireland CEO Ronan Murphy about safe sport resumption under the Covid-19 restrictions.