Fresh from their CSI4* 1.55m KAR Sport Horses Grand Prix win in Vejer de la Frontera on the Sunshine Tour and an impressive clear round in the Longines League of Nations for Ireland in Abu Dhabi before that, Olympic ‘GL’ ‘FVD’ (Ollie) and 21-year-old rider Niamh McEvoy have once again underlined the value of world-class talent and careful production on the road to the world stage.
Behind every top-level performer is a system and a horseperson shaping the foundations long before the spotlight arrives. Producer Elaine O’Neill of Ballyfore Sporthorses was the only person to ever sit on Ollie before his move to Ballypatrick. She played a key role in his development, nurturing the raw ability into consistent athlete. Elaine has great insight into the philosophy, patience and horsemanship required to produce a modern five-star show jumper.
She sourced Ollie as a three-year-old for his owner, Keith Ennis, after spotting him advertised online with Bosanko Sporthorses and travelling over to Devon to see him. “We loved him from the minute he came into the arena. The first thing you always notice about Ollie is his size. Even as a three-year-old, he was very big and imposing. He had a lot of presence and his loose jump was fantastic, scopey and careful,” says Elaine.
The talent was obvious, but the temperament required time. “When he came to us, he was a nervous, sensitive horse, but had a great attitude and really wanted to please all the time. We took everything very slowly with him from the start.”
Elaine O'Neill and Olympic 'GL' 'FVD'' at home in the earlier days before his move to Ballypatrick and Niamh McEvoy. \ Ballyfore Sport Horses
Long reining over poles became a cornerstone of Ollie’s education. “He was very careful over poles, even on the ground. At the start, going to shows, we always had to begin with a single pole on the ground in the warm-up before building the fences up. We used to get some very strange looks, but it was what worked for him and the easiest way to keep him confident.”
Crucially, there was never pressure to rush him. “I was lucky his owner always trusted me to do what was right with him,” she says.
Whatever the height
By his seven-year-old season, the pieces began to fall into place. “I always knew he had the scope and was careful enough to jump any fence, whatever the height. That year, he stepped up to a few small Grand Prix shows and just got better all the time.”
Time and confidence, Elaine believes, were the defining milestones. Produced through the Irish system, Ollie progressed through the age classes at Cavan Equestrian and the TRI Spring Tour. “If you rush a horse like him, it would be hard to develop him into a top horse.” Qualification for the Dublin Horse Show seven- and eight-year-old class followed. “Getting to jump him in the main ring was very special for me,” says Elaine.
At home, simplicity remained key. “We always had a plan, and my coach Johnny O’Connell was a big part in helping produce him correctly. He didn’t need much jumping at home and did a lot of pole work.” Variety mattered too; hacking and daily turnout were non-negotiable. “Ollie loved a routine and thrived on it. I believe horses deserve to be turned out every day and allowed to act like a horse.
There were moments when patience was tested. “A few times, we had to step back and give him more time. He was sensitive and so big, he needed longer physically. Knowing he had the talent, it wasn’t always easy to wait.”
Producer Elaine O'Neill at home with Ollie. \ Ballyfore Sport Horses
International shows
After a successful nine-year-old season including MET Oliva in Spain, the decision was made to send him to Ballypatrick Stables in Tipperary, home to Olympian Greg Broderick, for Co Tyrone’s Niamh McEvoy to take over the ride. “It meant more exposure to bigger international shows and Niamh is such an enormously talented rider. He is kind and gentle but sensitive, so I thought it would be a great match.”
While every rider has their own system, Elaine hoped the fundamentals remained. “You hope the basics stay the same and he is given time to adapt.” Watching the five-star 1.60m Grand Prix Abu Dhabi was emotional for Elaine. She and her father, Pauric, always believed in him. “We could not be prouder, especially seeing him jump under the Irish flag.
“I was so nervous and excited. I jumped every fence with them. I like to think the work I put into him for six years shaped him. It’s the dream when producing young horses.”
For Elaine, the difference between a very good horse and a five-star horse lies beyond ability. “Along with talent, they must have the heart and trust in their rider. Once Ollie trusts, he always tries his very best.”
Modern production, Elaine feels, asks more of young horses than it did before, with increasing shows and age classes.
Her sound advice to anyone producing show jumpers remains simple: “Give them time. It’s better to take a few steps back to go forward rather than push a young horse past what they’re ready for.
“A lot of people wouldn’t have given Ollie a glance as a young horse but patience has always worked for me,” she concludes.
Fresh from their CSI4* 1.55m KAR Sport Horses Grand Prix win in Vejer de la Frontera on the Sunshine Tour and an impressive clear round in the Longines League of Nations for Ireland in Abu Dhabi before that, Olympic ‘GL’ ‘FVD’ (Ollie) and 21-year-old rider Niamh McEvoy have once again underlined the value of world-class talent and careful production on the road to the world stage.
Behind every top-level performer is a system and a horseperson shaping the foundations long before the spotlight arrives. Producer Elaine O’Neill of Ballyfore Sporthorses was the only person to ever sit on Ollie before his move to Ballypatrick. She played a key role in his development, nurturing the raw ability into consistent athlete. Elaine has great insight into the philosophy, patience and horsemanship required to produce a modern five-star show jumper.
She sourced Ollie as a three-year-old for his owner, Keith Ennis, after spotting him advertised online with Bosanko Sporthorses and travelling over to Devon to see him. “We loved him from the minute he came into the arena. The first thing you always notice about Ollie is his size. Even as a three-year-old, he was very big and imposing. He had a lot of presence and his loose jump was fantastic, scopey and careful,” says Elaine.
The talent was obvious, but the temperament required time. “When he came to us, he was a nervous, sensitive horse, but had a great attitude and really wanted to please all the time. We took everything very slowly with him from the start.”
Elaine O'Neill and Olympic 'GL' 'FVD'' at home in the earlier days before his move to Ballypatrick and Niamh McEvoy. \ Ballyfore Sport Horses
Long reining over poles became a cornerstone of Ollie’s education. “He was very careful over poles, even on the ground. At the start, going to shows, we always had to begin with a single pole on the ground in the warm-up before building the fences up. We used to get some very strange looks, but it was what worked for him and the easiest way to keep him confident.”
Crucially, there was never pressure to rush him. “I was lucky his owner always trusted me to do what was right with him,” she says.
Whatever the height
By his seven-year-old season, the pieces began to fall into place. “I always knew he had the scope and was careful enough to jump any fence, whatever the height. That year, he stepped up to a few small Grand Prix shows and just got better all the time.”
Time and confidence, Elaine believes, were the defining milestones. Produced through the Irish system, Ollie progressed through the age classes at Cavan Equestrian and the TRI Spring Tour. “If you rush a horse like him, it would be hard to develop him into a top horse.” Qualification for the Dublin Horse Show seven- and eight-year-old class followed. “Getting to jump him in the main ring was very special for me,” says Elaine.
At home, simplicity remained key. “We always had a plan, and my coach Johnny O’Connell was a big part in helping produce him correctly. He didn’t need much jumping at home and did a lot of pole work.” Variety mattered too; hacking and daily turnout were non-negotiable. “Ollie loved a routine and thrived on it. I believe horses deserve to be turned out every day and allowed to act like a horse.
There were moments when patience was tested. “A few times, we had to step back and give him more time. He was sensitive and so big, he needed longer physically. Knowing he had the talent, it wasn’t always easy to wait.”
Producer Elaine O'Neill at home with Ollie. \ Ballyfore Sport Horses
International shows
After a successful nine-year-old season including MET Oliva in Spain, the decision was made to send him to Ballypatrick Stables in Tipperary, home to Olympian Greg Broderick, for Co Tyrone’s Niamh McEvoy to take over the ride. “It meant more exposure to bigger international shows and Niamh is such an enormously talented rider. He is kind and gentle but sensitive, so I thought it would be a great match.”
While every rider has their own system, Elaine hoped the fundamentals remained. “You hope the basics stay the same and he is given time to adapt.” Watching the five-star 1.60m Grand Prix Abu Dhabi was emotional for Elaine. She and her father, Pauric, always believed in him. “We could not be prouder, especially seeing him jump under the Irish flag.
“I was so nervous and excited. I jumped every fence with them. I like to think the work I put into him for six years shaped him. It’s the dream when producing young horses.”
For Elaine, the difference between a very good horse and a five-star horse lies beyond ability. “Along with talent, they must have the heart and trust in their rider. Once Ollie trusts, he always tries his very best.”
Modern production, Elaine feels, asks more of young horses than it did before, with increasing shows and age classes.
Her sound advice to anyone producing show jumpers remains simple: “Give them time. It’s better to take a few steps back to go forward rather than push a young horse past what they’re ready for.
“A lot of people wouldn’t have given Ollie a glance as a young horse but patience has always worked for me,” she concludes.
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