I had the pleasure of catching up with Irish Showjumper Michael Duffy about his recent selection as Reserve for the Irish Olympic Showjumping Squad. I wanted to discover a little more about Michael’s background and the journey that has taken him to Olympic Selection.
Michael hails from Co. Galway, and comes from a top Irish Showjumping Family. Both Michael’s Grandfather and his Father had prestigious careers within the sport; his Grandfather as an International Course Builder and his Father as an International Showjumper, who is also known for his course building skills.
So When Did Michael’s Equestrian Journey Begin?
Well as Michael put it, he was very young when he started; in fact, he was riding from his earliest memory. Although in his youth he enjoyed other sports such as Rugby and Gaelic Football and Hurling etc, riding quickly became Michael’s first love. As a child he kept busy hunting and jumping ponies, in fact he recalls placing 3rd in the 12.2hh Championship at the Dublin Horse Show, only to be beaten by Bertram Allen, who is now his Olympic Team Mate!
The Jump into Horses.
Making the jump into horses, the horse that stands out for Michael is, Killard Horizon, an Irish Sport Horse by Crannagh Hero, out of Clover Hill Mare This was Michael’s first competitive Grand Prix Horse, which he competed on the Irish National Grand Prix Circuit. Given Michael’s success in Showjumping from an early age, I asked if it was always his plan to make Showjumping his career. He replied;
“I Flirted with the idea of becoming a Jockey at one point, and rode out for John Murphy in Co. Cork for about a Month. However, because of my background and love of the sport, I chose Showjumping.”
Michael Duffy
Moving to the UK.
Michael worked with Irish Olympian, Cian O’Connor for a few months while he was on the Dubai Tour. It was shortly after in 2013, that Michael accepted a position in the UK with Irish Showjumper Shane Breen. Michael saw this move as a great opportunity as he wanted to be closer to Europe and the bigger shows, with the chance to ride more horses. He said;
“I gained great experience with Shane, getting to compete horses at 2*, 3*, and even some 4* competitions.”
A New Start.
After a year at Shane’s, Michael decided to make a New Start, and he set up his own professional yard alongside his Partner Amy Inglis. Amy’s base is just a few miles from the iconic Hickstead. Michael said;
“We run our yards in conjunction with each other because we are in the same location, so we do help each other out from time to time.”
Well their arrangement is obviously working as Amy Inglis also has her own Olympic Story, as she has been Long Listed for the British Showjumping Squad.
The Olympic Dream
Back in 2011 Michael was awarded Young Rider of the Year at the Irish National Showjumping Awards. Fast forward to 2021 and he has been selected as Reserve for the Irish Olympic Showjumping Squad heading to the Tokyo Olympics, under the guidance of the High Performance Director for Showjumping, Michael Blake. I asked Michael was the Olympics always the Dream? His reply;
“I think in our sport it is always the Goal. I bought Zilton from Trevor Breen 2 years ago, with the Olympics in mind. It is a real honour to be picked as Reserve for the Squad, it is like fulfilling part of my lifelong dream.”
Special Horses.
As for Special Horses, Michael can name a few, of course, Killard Horizon as his first Grand Prix Horse. The gelding, Belcanto Z, came up in our conversation as his First 5* horse. However, in Michael’s own words;
“Two of the most talented horses that I have ridden so far in my career, are the gelding, Jeff Ten Halven, who jumped an amazing round at the Windsor Horse Show recently in the €500,000 Rolex Grand Prix with just 1 time fault; and of course Zilton SI Z which is the horse that I am bringing to the Olympics, he is a real athlete, and brilliant at his job.”
Michael Duffy
Some of you may remember the incredible shot of Michael and Jeff Ten Halven that went viral at the end of 2020, as the pair soared over the Top of the Wings in the Warm up at Champions Tour Show in Vilamoura in Portugal. Below is the shot form Michael’s Instagram.
Greatest Inspiration
When asked who has been the Greatest Inspiration in his career, Michael replied;
“My Dad, Paul Duffy, although I have been living away from Ireland for the past 8 years, we still catch up on the phone every day.”
Other Equestrians that have helped Michael over the years and who he mentioned were; Shane Breen, Cian O’Connor, along with Helena Stormanns and Henk Nooren.
Michael’s Best Advice For A Young Rider.
“Do whatever it takes to get into a top professional yard. Don’t worry about the wages; just learn as much as you can from good riders. Don’t fast forward the Learning Phase. If you are good enough, the opportunities will come.”
Michael Duffy.
Looking Toward the Future.
As for Looking Toward the Future, Michael is really happy with the quality of the young horses he has at present;
“I have a great bunch of young horses at the moment and I want to concentrate on training and developing them so we have a steady stream of Quality Horses coming through the ranks, with the aim that there is always a horse ready to compete at Grand Prix level.”
Sounds like a solid plan to me, and we wish Michael and the rest of the Irish Olympic Squad, the very best of luck in Tokyo, and we have our fingers crossed for a medal or two along the way.
If you would like to find out more about Michael and his yard you can check out his Facebook Page here>>
