Michael Doherty

From as early as I can remember, I have been drawn to animals and passionate about animal breeding. Our family farm in County Sligo, in the North West of Ireland, was originally a Dairy farm when I was born and now focuses on horses and sheep. It wasn’t actually until my time at university, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) in Equine Business, that my focus turned intently towards sport horse breeding. My current showjumping breeding programme is run under the banner of ‘Quarryfield Farm’ and focuses on a core group of mares of high genetic merit.

During my studies at NUI Maynooth, I undertook three summer placements with Horse Sport Ireland (HSI), the national governing body for equestrian sport in Ireland. On graduating in 2010, I then took up a full-time position with the organisation, until leaving my Marketing Executive role in December 2018 to pursue my own endeavours. During my time with HSI my responsibilities included managing the Irish Horse Gateway, acting as the point of contact for the IHR Online (formerly ‘CapallOir’) pedigree & performance database and compiling weekly Irish-bred international showjumping results. I spearheaded the implementation of HSI’s International Breeder Prizes and was instrumental in securing the Investec sponsorship for Ireland’s Senior Showjumping team - the first ever corporate sponsorship for the team.

Over the past decade working in the industry professionally I have developed an extensive knowledge of sport horse bloodlines, with a specific focus on the world of showjumping, along with a broad international network. What has remained constant during this time is my desire to help breeders to better their situation, be that individually or collectively through my work with breeder’s groups throughout Ireland. I was both the youngest and largest equine facilitator during the Knowledge Transfer programme - an initiative of the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. In 2018, I created a podcast, Big Talk For Breeders, to help bring the breeding world closer by sharing insights into the experiences and influences that have brought these breeders to where they are today.

MISSION

My mission is to increase breeder engagement, recognition & reward in Ireland’s sport horse industry:

• ENGAGEMENT - between breeders, between breeders & industry bodies and between breeders & the sport

• RECOGNITION - seek greater recognition of the breeders of all horses, putting the spotlight on breeders when their home-bred horses have achieved success

• REWARD - ensuring that our industry celebrates the success of our breeders with appropriate breeder prizes and rankings. Also, in striving to increase the viability and profitability of breeding programmes throughout Ireland.

I am committed to helping breeders achieve their individual breeding goals, and currently offer a number of services to do so.