Ballygriggan is situated in the beautiful Blackwater Valley, 30 minutes from Cork city in the south of Ireland. 160 acres of well maintained pastures slope down to the fresh running waters of the Awbeg river.
It is home for Michael and Mary-Rose Cooney, Word for Word and Eye Spy II. Word for Word was International Event horse in 1999 and Eye Spy won a Bronze Medal at the Sydney Olympics (2000) when ridden by Mark Todd.
In 2002, Eye Spy was 7th at Badminton and in the British Eventing Team for the World Equestrian Games in Spain, ridden by Polly Stockton. Polly also rode Word for Word into 2nd place at the Burghley 4 Star three day event in September 2002.
We extend an invitation for you to visit us and enjoy our clinics and methods of training, as well as inspecting our range of sport horses for sale
Ireland is world famous for producing tough, intelligent but level headed horses and Ballygriggan is now home to youngsters training to be competition horses, potential world beaters in the disciplines of eventing, show jumping, show horses, working hunters or just well mannered riding horses. All the horses live out on the well drained, undulating limestone land, all year round, with food and shelter in the winter months. Added to this they have natural spring water to drink which helps in the production of bone, muscle, tendon and ligament formation.
Our enthusiastic team at Ballygriggan strives to perfect the balance between nature and modern equine development. We produce and sell accomplished young horses with an ability to go forward in whatever competitive sphere their talents equip them for, using tried and tested horse pyschology and specific training techniques.
From the moment the young horses are “started” in the lungeing ring, they learn to have confidence in themselves and also in the human beings around them.
Our aim is to have each horse able to perform essential movements in a free and balanced way and have a calm approach to jumping. They also have to be tough and level headed, two attributes for which Irish horses are famous. Ballygriggan horses must also be well mannered, both in the stable and whilst being ridden.
Potential: Eventers, Show Jumpers, Working Hunters, Show Hacks/Hunters, Riding Club Horses are to be found at Ballygriggan.
Our stock includes 4, 5 and 6 year olds, correct in confirmation and able to move well with that “something about them” that catches the eye. Our horses are either thoroughbred or part Irish Draught (Irish Sport Horse) from good Irish sire and dam lines.
Holy Smoke (Smokey) 15.3 hh bay thoroughbred 6 year old gelding by Religiously out of a Goldhill Mare.
Blackjack, Black 5 year old. 16 hh Irish Sport Horse gelding by Yashgan out of a Bassompierre mare.
Tequila 16hh. 4 year old thoroughbred chestnut filly by Seamanship out of a Boreen (Fr.) mare.
Ben 16.1 hh. 4 year old bay thoroughbred gelding by Beneficial out of a Deep Society mare.
Ben Rising 4 year old bay thoroughbred gelding by Beneficial out of Broomhill Star (by Deep Society)
Ben will make up to at least 16.1 hh. He has an excellent temperament, good confirmation and is broken and riding. He is easy to ride and has been jumping calmly over poles. Registered in Wetherbys non-thoroughbred stud book.
Could point-to-point or event.
Lucky 14.1 hh. Part Arab five year old pony.
Julius (alias First Night) wins the Five Year Old Future Event Horse finals at Fairyhouse in September 2003. He receives his rosette from Tommy Brennan, famous course designer. Julius had only one of 3 clear rounds in the jumping which was over a formidable course. He did a lovely dressage test and had excellent marks for suitability.
Holy Smoke BAY GELDING (6 years old) 15.3 hh
Sire: Religiously by Alleged (TB)
Dam: Mrs Daley by Goldhill (TB)
Holy Smoke is a tough compact thoroughbred from National Hunt stock. Very athletic and quick thinking in his jumping, with excellent movement. Could go on in any sphere.
Smokey is now 6 and he successfully completed 5 events in England in 2003 with Polly Stockton. He is now beginning the 2004 season with Trish Donegan in Ireland.
Tequila she is a chestnut thoroughbred filly by Seamanship out of Tubbergloragh (by Boreen Fr)
Tequila is rising 4 in 2004 and has none of the downsides associated with being either a chestnut or a filly. She has been a pleasure to break and is riding out and jumping poles in the arena. She will make up to over 16.hh. Like Ben she has an excellent temperament and good confirmation.Tequila is related to point to point winners and 3 day eventers on her dam’s side.