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’ll gain from this episode include:

• Creating structure, support, and a long-term vision for young riders
• A new leadership approach to reshaping Ireland’s youth programme
• What selectors are really looking for at trials
• The importance of mentorship and team culture
• Preparing to compete on the European stage

With a new leadership team heading the Youth Show Jumping High Performance Programme, newly appointed Lead Consultant, Denis Flannelly and Youth Athlete Liaison, Liz Brennan join us to share the training and team values they’re implementing to reach big ambitions on the national stage.

GUEST DETAILS
Denis Flannelly is Lead Consultant of the HSI Youth Show Jumping High Performance Programme and a highly respected Level 3 HSI Jumping Coach. Denis has years of experience as Chef d’Équipe and Jumping Manager, with a proven track record of developing medal-winning riders for Ireland on the international stage.

Liz Brennan is Youth Athlete Liaison of the HSI Youth Show Jumping Programme. A cornerstone of Irish youth show jumping, Liz has a long-standing history of supporting young riders through every stage of their competitive journey. Liz plays a vital role in mentoring athletes, fostering team culture, and ensuring open communication between riders, families, and the performance team.

https://www.horsesportireland.ie/horse-sport-ireland-announces-new-leadership-for-youth-show-jumping-high-performance-programme/

MORE INFORMATION

Check out horsesportireland.ie

QUOTES

If they just want to be better, that's the first thing for me. - Denis Flannelly

Success breeds success. - Liz Brennan

We're all about success, and our end game is European Championship podium finishes. - Liz Brennan

Horse welfare for me is at the top. - Denis Flannelly

Ireland is punching above its weight at the moment. - Liz Brennan

There are four elements of success; physical fitness, mental fitness, technical education and tactical awareness. - Denis Flannelly

KEYWORDS

#youth #showjumping #horse #welfare #coaching #athlete #competition #trainingprogram #equestrian

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 this episode include:

• A champion’s mentality that helped Trevor return to competition after a catastrophic injury
• Behind-the-scenes details of professional show jumping
• The logistics of competing internationally
• Key turning points in Trevor’s career, from amateur rider to elite show jumper
• Practical safety advice for riders at all levels, including Trevor’s adoption of the Air vest

Trevor also shares the physical and psychological battles of his recovery and we hear Caroline’s experience managing Breen Sport Horses, along with exciting plans for upcoming competitions. With honesty, vulnerability, and a champion’s mindset, their story is one you won’t want to miss.

GUEST DETAILS

Trevor Breen has ridden nationally and internationally all his life to great success. With selections for The European Championships, Nations Cup Finals, and GCL Teams amongst other Irish National & International teams, and being longlisted for London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Trevor has had a consistently successful career on the international show jumping scene, winning on huge stages in The UAE, as well as CSI5* wins in London, Dublin, and Hickstead, and riding for Ireland on numerous winning Nations Cups.

Caroline Breen shares the passion for show jumping, achieving wins on the national and international circuit. She has trained with accomplished figures in British Showjumping, such as Tim Stockdale, and plays a crucial role in producing the young horses, training clients and overseeing all aspects of the business management.
https://breensporthorses.co.uk/

MORE INFORMATION

Check out horsesportireland.ie

QUOTES

It's the first fall that I haven't walked away from in my whole life. - Trevor Breen

I knew it was serious as soon as I saw him. - Caroline Breen

There was only one horse I was riding, and that was Highland President. The whole show nearly came to a standstill when I went in. - Trevor Breen

He's come back into the sport very mentally strong as well, which is obviously so important for an athlete. - Caroline Breen

I have had a serious injury, and if I’ve got something that can help protect me if I do fall again, which I'm sure I will, why not use it? - Trevor Breen

He's quite strong, he fights for me in the ring, but he also fights against me. - Trevor Breen

KEYWORDS
#Horsesport #TrevorBreen #HamburgGrandPrix #injuryrecovery #showjumping #equestrian #HighlandPresident #Airvest #NationsCup

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.

In this episode host John Kyle discusses breeding and coaching with William Micklem for Part 1 of our interview with an equestrian "renaissance man".

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.

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.

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.

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.