FEATURE INTERVIEW: SHANE BREEN

August’s feature interview:

Shane Breen

Shane Breen shares his words of wisdom, talks about breeding, leaves tips on beginning a horse’s career and more!

Interview by: Abby Dickinson - Image credits: Ahmed44Photography.

Hi Shane! With the show jumping circuit back in full swing, we are sure that you have been very busy. Can you fill us in on what you have been up to recently?

I have been competing on the LGCT Tour with my top horses, Z7 Ipswich, Compelling Z, Kilbarron Rue, and Gait L.

We also had a great 7 weeks out in Italy. I won the 4* Grand Prix with Z7 Ipswich in Montefalco, as well numerous top placings with some of my up and coming 8- and 9-year-old horses who I’m hoping will be some of my next superstars.

I’m very excited for the future and have the Europeans, World Equestrian Games, and Paris 2024 in my sights!

Earlier this year, Breen Equestrian launched a state-of-the-art breeding facility. What qualities do you look for in your standing stallions? Why are these qualities essential for competition horses?

“I always breed from stallions who have shown intelligence and bravery in

the ring.”Shane Breen

I firstly look for conformation and movement. Two of the most important qualities in a horse you actually can’t see – the heart and the brain. The question is, how do we try to pass on these qualities during breeding. So, I always breed from stallions who have shown intelligence and bravery in the ring.

We are very fortunate that our stallions at stud are producing progeny with great confirmation, wonderful balance, and good depth in their girth – the old saying was that if they have a deep girth, they have

With the 4-year-olds, I do approximately 5 shows. I like to put them back in the field again as I believe they don’t finish growing until they’re 6-year-olds.“

“If they start napping, you have to identify the gap in their education that has been overlooked.” Shane Breen

a big heart! Most importantly, the horses are showing they’re brave and trainable. All these qualities add up to a highperformance sport horse that will fight for you in the ring and get you in the winner’s circle. That is what we are trying to produce here at Breen Equestrian.

Producing young, talented horses is something you have quite a reputation for. What steps do you always take when beginning a horse’s career?

I always take these four steps when producing my young horses from unbroken to jumping at their first shows.

Step 1: Be confident with them. When the handler is confident around them, the horse becomes relaxed and easier to handle.

Step 2: I like to long rein them for at least 4 weeks, so it possibly takes me 4-8 weeks to get a horse fully handled and backed. This creates a strong foundation in their education and gives them a good, forward mind to cope with challenges that the modern sport horse faces.

Step 3: Introducing them to a pole; I like to start with guide reins, so they are encouraged straight, forward, and build confidence when coming to a fence. This means they are very trainable and always focused.

Step 4: With the 4-year-olds, I do approximately 5 shows. I like to put them back in the field again as I believe they don’t finish growing until they’re 6-year-olds. Giving the young horses this time to grow, develop, and be horses give them longevity in their careers.

Are there any signs that you look out for, telling you a horse is not ready to take on the training you provide? What do you do in this situation?

If they start napping, you have to identify the gap in their education that has been overlooked. Once it’s identified, you go back and re-solidify the young horse’s basics. This then gives them the confidence to move forward in their training.

You’re also well-known for recruiting talented, young riders onto your team and helping them flourish into worldclass competitors! When searching for new talent to join the team, what are you looking for in a rider?

Natural talent! For instance, that they have a good feeling, an eye for a stride, and a good rapport when riding the horses. They also need to be able to adapt to different types of horses. They have to be able to go from a hot horse to a cold horse and know how to adjust to get the best out of each horse.

Appreciation for how much the horses have to give for the rider to reach their full potential as good horsemanship is key to any successful rider too.

What piece of guidance do you always give young riders to nurture them into top-class, professional riders?

You need to have confidence in your plan and know how to get the most out of your horse. A partnership between horse and rider will make the horse fight for you in the ring and get you the best results. You also need good horsemanship as you need to be able to identify what a horse needs to perform best, from diet to soundness.

Taking on multiple roles, what do you think is the best part, and what is the hardest part of your job?

The best part is having a good team around you. Obviously, the goal is winning the big Grand Prix’s as it showcases all the team’s hard work is paying off and the bond you have with your horse. Winning the prize money isn’t a bad plus either!

The worst part is when a partnership ends with one of your top horses. It’s always difficult when a relationship ends, no matter if it’s through a sale or retirement. The horses always come first and it’s sad when you no longer work with them in the same capacity.

With a diary packed with travel for competition, plus your competition yard and new stud yard to run at home, how do you balance work and family life?

Chloe, my wife, is paramount to my success and is always supportive. When the kids have a holiday from school, we go on family vacations. Also, now that the kids are competing at pony shows, it’s nice to support them in their careers too.

It’s great having a good team around me so that I can spend some quality time with the family and not have to worry about aspects of my business.

What are your plans for the rest of 2021? Are there any rides we should be looking out for on the circuit?

I am following the LGCT Tour all year and hoping to qualify for the Super Grand Prix during the Prague Playoffs. Alongside my top horse, Z7 Ipswich, I have some very promising young ones that I am enjoying educating to compete at the 5* shows. I don’t like to have favourites but keep an eye out for Vistogrand and Z7 Regal Don.

Finally, can you leave our readers with a piece of advice they should take forward into their own training and competing?

Confidence is key in any aspect of training. Believe in yourself, believe in your horse, and you can reach any goal! •