KARLSWOOD QUARTERLY -
Autumn 2021…

“Success is reward for effort…”

Hello and you’re very welcome to the Autumn 2021 edition of the Karlswood Quarterly.

It has been a busy few months with international and domestic competitions for our team and students who continue to impress. 

Showjumping can be a hugely challenging sport in which to compete and be successful. It is so rewarding to see young and dedicated athletes improve through hard work and perseverance. As a coach it gives me enormous satisfaction watching our riders and horses progress. 

With that in mind I was so pleased for Max and Tom Wachman and everyone at Coolmore Showjumping on their selection by Team Ireland at the recent Junior European Championships. Tom will fill you in later in this Newsletter about his pathway in recent months, while his older brother Max was so impressive in helping Ireland lift the FEI Nations Cup on his senior debut in Drammen, Norway.

Nikki Walker was recently clear in a 5 Star Grand Prix aboard Excellent B along with numerous international placings with Atout Des Trambles. Nikki and Team Adena Springs continue to go from strength to strength.

A significant focus for me personally over the last few months was on the re-scheduled Tokyo Summer Olympics. I was thrilled with Kilkenny’s performance finishing 7th individually and now he’s enjoying a well-deserved break and will start to build up again over the next few months for Florida. He will only be 10 next year and I’m really excited about 2022 together with the World Equestrian Games in Herning, Denmark a big target.

We have welcomed some exciting young additions to Karlswood during the year and I’m particularly excited by our Emerald Stallion ‘Taj Mahal’ who is featured later in the Newsletter.  

We have taken 25 horses to compete in Spain on the Sunshine Tour currently and the team will then move on to Wellington, Florida in December as we gear up for another busy few months at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

At Karlswood we have completed our Clubhouse and hospitality area - offering prime views of the indoor and outdoor sand arenas - and the high performance centre continues to take shape in the next phase of our development. Construction of our new Olympic training barn continues at pace and we look forward to welcoming more students and their horses.

Thank you for your support over the last few months. It means an enormous amount to everyone at Karlswood. The team deserve a huge amount of credit for their hard work both at home and overseas and I’m grateful to work with such a committed and talented group. 

Best wishes,

From The Stables - Taj Mahal in Focus…

“Taj Mahal, or ‘Eddie’ as he’s known, arrived in the summer of 2021. He is x Emerald, and the sire of the dam is Quannan R, and I was immediately impressed by this young stallion.

At the age of just 8, he has all the attributes to go to the very top of this sport. He’s a very careful and clever horse who I’m looking forward to jumping at the Sunshine Tour in Spain this month.

Eddie was very well produced in Belgium by Dieter Vermeiren through the young horse ranks.

For a stallion he’s pretty laid back at home, but you can feel him light up when he steps out on to the arena. We’re excited to watch him develop alongside our crop of other promising young horses in the months and years to come.”

Watch Taj Mahal jumping a double clear in Knokke recently.

Step Back In Time - Casper wins the Puissance at the RDS…

Click HERE to watch a memorable round in 2002 when the amazing Irish Independent Casper won the Puissance clearing 2.25m.

Behind the Scenes - with
John Joe Gallagher…

 (a) Name. Where are you from?

John Joe Gallagher. Dromore, Co. Tyrone.

(b) Role

Assistant Manager

(c) How did you start in showjumping?

When I was 12 I started riding in a local yard run by a very good friend of mine (Claire Greenan). There I helped with breaking young horses and competing at national shows. Claire taught me a lot about the industry and give me a really good insight to the business of producing horses. After there I travelled to Wellington, Florida and worked for Darragh Kenny. I spent my time there traveling to international shows around the USA, Canada and Europe.

(d) Describe your role

Working closely with Ross (Mulholland) I help with the general managing of the yard such as ordering supplies, dealing with vets and farriers, keeping records up to date etc. I also help out with the general duties on the yard, taking care of the horses and driving the trucks to and from shows. I’m very interested to learn all parts of the business and Cian gives me the opportunity to build courses and to work with some of the students while he is abroad competing.

(e) Hobbies

Playing tennis and swimming.

(f) Favourite song, movie and book

Anything by Luke Combs. I don’t really have a favourite movie, but I definitely prefer movies that are based on true stories.

(g) Career Highlight

When Team Ireland won the Aga Khan in 2015. I was grooming for Darragh (Kenny) at the time and Cian was also on the team that day. This year seeing Cian and Kilkenny finish 7th individually at the Tokyo Olympics was very special. Everyone here at Karlswood knows all the effort that goes in from finding the horse and developing him to that level. We all feel very proud as we know that we are appreciated at Karlswood and that we all play a part in making the big days happen.

(h) Hopes for the next year

A successful season of competition for everyone involved at Karlswood. Cian is currently building a new Olympic Student barn at Karlswood with the emphasis on helping those who wish to take their careers to the next level. I’m keen to play a role in this new venture and I know at Karlswood that I’ll get the chance to develop my own skills and become an even bigger part of the Karlswood team.

Rider In Focus - Tom Wachman…

“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned to date is that you have to be meticulous with your preparation. I started riding locally in Thurles (Co. Tipperary) at the age of nine and we started working formally with Cian in September 2017.

“Since I was 12 we have worked together trying to develop the same good habits firstly from riding ponies to competing in Grand Prix and other competitions.

“I’m happy enough with how 2021 has gone to date. It started at WEF (Winter Equestrian Festival) and thankfully since then we’ve had some success winning two Junior Nations Cups. When you put on that green jacket there’s a different kind of pressure. The level of expectation goes up, and you’re competing in a team environment, but it’s so special when you win and you hear the national anthem played.

“But you can never become complacent. In this sport you lose a lot more than you win and you’re always learning. In the Junior European Championships in Vilamoura I learned a lot about myself. While things didn’t go exactly to plan, there were still some positives. I was delighted with finishing fifth overall individually, but on the last day it reiterated the need to be cool and calm under pressure. I try to learn from all experiences, good and bad, and I know that it will make me a better rider.

“I’m really excited about our horses and I feel lucky to get the opportunity to ride them. Fireball, who is owned by Lady Carole Bamford, has put in a few strong performances at the Europeans and at a 2* Grand Prix in Knokke. Mangoon, a 7-year-old stallion, is another talented horse with a bright future.

“I feel lucky to train in such a positive environment with the teams at Coolmore Showjumping and Karlswood. Planning is underway for the Sunshine Tour in Spain in October, then there will be a short break before we head to WEF in late December.

“I’m studying for my Leaving Certificate exams so if I’m not training, chances are I’ll be at my desk! But I know how important it is to knuckle down and get my exams this year. I have to be focused and professional in my approach to training and competing. There’s no time to waste!”

Partner in Focus - TRI…

Cian and Team Karlswood are delighted to continue its partnership with TRI Equestrian, the leading Equestrian store in Ireland.

Cian says: “TRI has been a great partner over the years. The extensive range, along with the knowledgeable staff make it a must-stop destination. The full range of TRM supplements and healthcare products ensure that our horses get the best nutrition and care to allow them perform to the highest level.”

TRI added: “We are proud to be associated with Cian and sponsors of the world-class Karlswood facility. The state-of-the-art centre is up there with the best in the world. We at TRI are delighted to facilitate the work being done by Cian and his team to keep Irish Equestrian at the top table.”

About TRI Equestrian:

TRI Equestrian is an Irish, family-owned business and has been in operation since 1984. The early days of the business was exclusively van sales and throughout the years we have evolved into an all-encompassing wholesale, retail and ecommerce company.

Our flagship store is located adjacent to The Curragh, one of the most revered racecourses in the world. It gives us direct access to our customers, which offers us a unique insight into their needs and motivations.

The store, which has been revamped over the past 18 months, offers the largest range of products required for the equestrian customer, including tack, equestrian clothing, helmets, rugs and casual/fashion wear and nutrition/supplements. In essence, it is the top destination and one-stop shop for all equestrian needs in Ireland.

Our second store in Lurgan has also had a major revamp recently and now provides the same extensive range as the Curragh store combined with excellent customer experience.

The future for TRI is to build on the successes of the past and continue to work with excellent partners such as Cian and Karlswood and expand into new markets and be successful both domestically and internationally.

…IN THE MEDIA…

I was delighted to be asked to contribute to an article with the FEI earlier this month to celebrate those who have played a role in inspiring the next generation of equestrians. In it, I spoke about my long-term friendship with Gerry Mullins. Read it HERE.

Get in touch by e-mailing: media@karlswood.com