I am: Robert Splaine.

I live: Belgooly, Co Cork, a village about halfway between Cork and Kinsale.

What do I do? I am chef d’équipe of the Irish show jumping team. I am also owner of Coolcorron Equestrian Centre. I breed, train and deal in horses. I also have accommodation for international students who train and compete here. I have competed up to Championship level. My first priority is always to the team where I have the responsibility for selection of all senior riders for Nations Cups, World Cups, Olympic Games and other international shows. I attend regular meetings with Horse Sport Ireland, the Irish Sports Council and other bodies.

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My Background? My father, Ernest, used to keep horses and we used to buy and sell. We would buy foals, break them, hunt them and sell them. Later we also progressed to jumping them before selling. This helped me acquire some nice horses from owners for me to jump.

My biggest achievements as a rider? I was lucky to have many achievements. Some of those include the Canadian Airlines Challenge in Calgary, The King George V Gold Cup in Hickstead, the Millstreet Derby, the German Nations Cup in Aachen, the Swiss Grand Prix in St Gallen. I was also national champion on three occasions.

My biggest achievement as a breeder? I was particularly proud when Mr Cool won three Paralympic medals for Helen Kearney and Ireland. Mr Cool was sired by my stallion, Coolcorron Cool Diamond.

My biggest achievements as a manager? Being chef d’équipe for Ireland’s first Olympic medal was very special. We also won Nations Cups at La Baule, Falsterbo, Hickstead and Aachen, but the best was definitely the Nations Cup win in Dublin. Taking the bronze medal at the Furissiya Nations Cup final in Barcelona in 2013 was also very special.

My favourite horse? I had several at different times. It’s difficult to win in this sport and with success one develops a special bond with one’s horses. For example, Carrigroe was a beautiful horse, as was Heather Blaze and Coolcorron Cool Diamond. All were successful in their time.

My favourite other horse? There are many, but I think our Olympic medal winning horse Blue Lloyd is exceptional. Having won the medal, he was sold to an amateur rider then came back to win the Grand Prix in Dublin with Cian O’Connor. That’s an exceptional little horse.

What’s the biggest challenge facing breeders? The market is strong for good horses. Upgrading our mare population is the most important challenge.

What are your show jumping ambitions? We’ve had the taste of an Olympic medal and more of that would be nice. We must qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

We have eight riders in the world’s top 100 at present. Show jumping is one of Ireland’s most realistic chances of winning an Olympic medal.

What are your words of advice? In this game, there are always difficult times. One must be prepared to take the knocks and get back up again. If you’re not prepared to take the knocks, then maybe it’s not the game for you.