The diggers are out in action at Irish Olympic showjumper Greg Broderick's yard in County Tipperary, as he expands his operation. Helen Sharp takes a look around...
Don't miss the full behind-the-scenes feature with Greg Broderick in this week's issue of Horse & Hound magazine (3 August 2017)
There are 56 horses in work at Irish showjumper Greg Broderick's Ballypatrick Stables. Here he is pictured with his top grand prix mount Chinook II (left) and the up-and-coming young star Exclusive Van Meyershoeve Z
Hacking is a priority for 31-year-old Greg. "We go to the river that runs by the house a lot," he says. "I think it's fantastic for the horses' legs and their minds"
All change: "I'm currently building a barn with 16 new stables, two offices, a canteen, wash boxes, feed room, farrier box, rug washing room, viewing area and a client hospitality room," says Greg
With such a busy yard, there's a fair amount of tack to clean. Luckily, Greg employs 17 full-time staff
A picture-perfect setting: Greg's Ballypatrick Stables are in the tiny townland of Inch in pastoral Co Tipperary
Head groom Ashleigh Skillen — who has been with Greg for over nine years — gives Charmeur a groom
Ashleigh reveals that Greg insists that everything has to be neat and tidy — right down to the last detail
Yard manager Matt Calderwood (left) and stable rider Darragh Ryan with the Irish-bred horse Deep Pockets
In the huge indoor arena, Greg chats to Darragh Ryan as he puts the Irish-bred gelding Deep Pockets through his paces. In the backdrop is an image of Greg and the Irish team with the Aga Khan Trophy won by Ireland at the Royal Dublin Show in 2015
Attention to details, even at bath time: "I don't want to be just the best that's available in Ireland, I want my yard to be equally good as anywhere in Europe," says Greg
The next generation? Greg's sister Cheryl Broderick runs a breeding yard down the road with 35 mares and the only private embryo flushing clinic in Ireland
