Our History

 

Just to tell you a little bit about the history of Carlingford Horses and the owner Paddy Hughes.

1978 - Jack Moore and Paddy Hughes

1978 – Jack Moore and Paddy Hughes

Having left school at an early age, I started working in Kilkenny riding and training 3 year old horses for sales and competitions. After spending 3yrs with Mr. John Micklem I applied for the then first ever equitation school at Thomastown and was accepted. One year later I left Thomastown with a first in the certificated Irish horse production.

Moving on I won a scholarship to train at the legendary Iris Kellet’s riding school in Dublin. Having spent 1 year under the guidance of Miss Kellett,  I moved on to work with the late famous horse producer and judge, Mr Michael Leonard from Newcastle (west County Limerick). Sometime later I returned home to start up a business buying and selling young horses and competing.

A few years later I was given the opportunity to manage, travel and compete young horses for Robert Smith in England. I spent a very educational year with Robert, then decided to further my travels and education, I headed west to work in America. There I worked on the Grand Prix circuit with  Jeffery Welles and his team. While there, I was lucky to work and train with some fantastic horse men such as Rodney Jenkins, Michael Matzs and Mr George Morris.

1980 - Sold to Spain (Spanish Champion)

1980 – Sold to Spain (Spanish Champion)

Later travelling back to England I set up a very successful and busy training and sales business in Essex, travelling and competing all over England where I furthered my knowledge of show jumping through my contacts and friendship with many of the top riders.

Now back in Ireland I have spent the last ten years building a very high quality young horse training establishment with clients travelling form all around the world to find that very special young jumper or event horse.
The one thing I have learned is not to waste a client’s time – “if someone is willing to travel, the least you can do is describe the horse as accurately as possible”.

My horses have now proven themselves all over the world, from Olympic event horses to Grand Prix and World Cup winners from Monterey to California, London, Rome and even as far as Kuala Lumpur.

1988 - Towerlands 4yr old Champion

1988 – Towerlands 4yr old Champion

My judgement and ability to spot young jumpers is well known and this is acknowledged by many happy returning customers – from Olympic riders to pure amateurs. The reputation of our horses carrying the “Carlingford” prefix is growing rapidly.

 

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