The Constants and the New: A November Round-Up
Whilst November has been a month of changes here at the Breen Equestrian headquarters, it has also been a time to acknowledge and celebrate the constants that continue to guide and strengthen our team.
Highlight of the month was Darcy and ‘One Sarahah’ who headed Lyon, jumping a fantastic clear on day one to bring home a top 10 finish in the Pony Grand Prix. Then onto Stuttgart for the Pony World Cup, where the pairing jumped clear all weekend to also bring home 3rd in the Pony Grand Prix!
Early November we welcomed Sandy McLean, whose arrival has already added valuable energy and experience. We also celebrated remarkable milestones: Natty Biderman marked 15 years with BE, and Paul Chatfield reached an extraordinary 35 years, milestones that speak volumes about the vital roles they play daily. Their dedication and experience form a core part of who we are today.
Alongside moments of pride came moments of sadness. This month, we said goodbye to ‘Colmar’, a stallion with a deep history in our yard and a long-standing connection with Shane, who produced him from a three-year-old. His passing was felt by all as horses like him leave a lasting imprint.
Operationally, November has been one of our busiest months as 25 horses departed BE headquarters for Dubai. Preparations are also well underway for the Brilliance Horse Auction on 20th December at the London International Horse Show, with excitement building as Brilliance brings forward horses we are immensely proud of.
The competition calendar has continued to deliver strong results. Darcy and ‘One Saharah’ impressed at the FEI Jumping Ponies Trophy in Stuttgart, opening the class with a clear and securing 3rd place. The U.A.E. season is off to a strong start, with ‘Z7 Pink Panther’ (Katie Speller) and ‘BE Golden’ (Sandy McLean) setting the tone, clinching titles in the Butheeb CSI2* 1.35m and CSI2* GP Qualifier, respectively. ‘Market M’dam’ also led by example, claiming two 3rd places in the CSI2* 1.30m and the CSI2* 1.35m jump-off class. Similarly, ‘BP Artic Blue’ secured a 4th place in the CSI2* GP qualifier, and another 4th in the CSI2* 1.45m LR. ‘Chaccoulando WCT’ finished his first week in Butheeb with two top-10 finishes in the CSI2* 1.35m jump-off class and CSI2* 1.35m class. Last but not least, ‘Commissaire S’ placed 6th in the CSI2* 1.35m with BE student Eve McCoy. With such a promising start, we’re excited to see what the whole team will accomplish as the season unfolds.
As we reflect on a month of progress and achievement, we are reminded of the constants that drive the BE world. Our incredible team and dedicated owners remain at the heart of everything we do, and we are thankful for their continued trust, hard work, and unwavering support.