In February of 2020, we chatted to Irish Showjumper and Rising Star Michael Pender about his Career in horses to date. Below is the Interview and what Michael had to say. His recent string of fantastic results in 2021 has seen Irish Showjumper Michael Pender rise to Number 55 in the FEI World Showjumping Rankings, pretty epic for a chap that is just 22 years young!
What sparked your interest in Horses and how did you get started in Showjumping?
Growing up there has always been horses at home, my Mum ran a small riding school, and my Grandad bred horses when I was younger. I did Pony Club, I hunted and then I started showjumping and caught the bug!!
Who has been your greatest inspiration in the sport and who did you train with through the years?
Mum taught me to ride and my Grandad took me to every show and everywhere I wanted to go with the ponies when I was small. Denis Flannelly started to help me when I was 13 and continued with me right up until I finished ponies. He is a very dedicated trainer and spent many long nights helping me at Kill Equestrian Centre.
From ponies I then took a job at HHS in Kilkenny the home of Marion Hughes and Miguel Bravo with whom I still work and train with. They are 100% behind me and are giving me great opportunities.
In 2019 I was lucky enough to be selected into the Young Riders Academy and through this I got to spend the month of December training with Jos Lansink. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience and both myself and my horses benefited greatly from it.
Of all the Equine Partners you have had to date, which ones have been the most memorable for you?
My first pony Goldie was a saint and I probably owe the most to him, (we still have him) he is so kind and gentle and a very beautiful Palomino. My first European Championships was on an amazing Connemara stallion called Blackwoodland Rock; he jumped double clear for me on a warm day in Arezzo that I will never forget.
2019 brought more amazing days with my horse of a lifetime Hearton Du Bois Halleux (Harold), from the Hickstead Derby to his Puissance wins he is just a superstar. HHS Burnchurch has produced big results for me too and I’ve high hopes for him this coming year.
Fantastic Result at the Hickstead Derby 2019, how did you find the course and what did it feel like to take that win?
The course at Hickstead was big and daunting. Harold handled it all well. To win was a dream come true! I grew up watching this class and admiring all the riders jumping in it, so to ride in it and win it was the best feeling in the world.
Another great win for you in the Puissance at Olympia over Christmas. Can you tell us a bit about the Stallion Hearton du Bois Halleux, he seems to be a very versatile horse, as it is unusual for a horse to excel in both Derby and Puissance competitions?
Harold has a huge jump and is extremely brave. We took him to Bolesworth to jump the Puissance and it was a last minute decision to take him to Hickstead the following week. He is a bit of a puissance specialist but proved at Hickstead he has the jump, power and stamina for the Derby too. Since his big wins at Olympia and Liverpool he is on a well deserved holiday and will hopefully be well rested and ready for the 2020 season when I return to Ireland.
Great finish for you in Abu Dhabi, how does jumping out there differ from the European Circuit?
Abu Dhabi was an amazing experience. It was brilliant to be invited by Al Shira’aa to compete there. The standard of horses and riding has significantly improved in recent years in the UAE and that makes for stiff competition. The great weather and plenty of prize money was a big bonus too!
What are your plans for the rest of the season?
I am currently in Vilamoura (Portugal) with a lot of our younger horses giving them their time to shine and hopefully by the end of the tour they will have all moved up a level.
I will then go to the sunshine tour in Spain with the older horses for a few weeks after that the Dublin qualifiers and Irish stud book series will become the focus. I would love to be selected on a few Nations Cup Teams throughout the year.
Lanaken for the young horse championships is always a big part of our year too. Our young horses have been very successful there and we definitely aim to be back there in September. An exciting piece of news only released today Is that I’m going to be part of the St. Tropez Pirates team at the Global Champions Tour for 2020.
Have you any young horses in the pipeline that you are excited about?
There are a lot of young horses at HHS to come through in the next few years. We have been winning a lot both at home and abroad in the young horse classes and these horses are being produced slowly and are ready to step up a level now. HHS Javas Gucci turns 8 this year. We also have 3 amazing 6 year old mares that I am eager to see perform this year.
Last Question; if you had one piece of advice to offer a young equestrian starting out in Showjumping what would that be?
Take the positive from every round you jump and build on that. Surround yourself with good people and never be afraid to ask questions. In my experience people can be very helpful if you are just willing to ask.
This Interview was originally published in the February 2020 Issue of Irish Sport Horse Magazine. Michael Pender was on the Cover of our Magazine with Hearton du Bois Halleux Taking Victory in the Hickstead Derby 2019 Picture by Helen Cruden and was provided courtesy of Michael Pender.