Punchestown House Stud is proud to be the breeder of Flexible, a world-renowned show jumping champion. This incredible horse’s story began here, in the heart of Ireland.
The Discovery of Flex
Back in the mid-1990s, Edward Doyle was at the top of his game, winning Grand Prix competitions all over Ireland. He had many horses in his yard, near Punchestown, in County Kildare, but none as special as Flexible.
In 1989 he was fortunate to discover the then seven-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare during a competition in Cavan. She was jumping, and winning, for Simon Trent, but Edward was keen to take her further, and made the shrewd purchase.
Flex, by the Thoroughbred stallion Safari, proved to be the real deal. As well as winning 15 national Grand Prix classes, she also became the National Champion in 1995.
One of the most memorable moments was when Edward and Flex competed against Trevor Coyle and his horse Cruising in the national championship. Edward and Flex beat them in the championship by fractions of a second. It was one of the most exciting competitions of the year.
Something Special
What made this victory even more special was that Flex was pregnant with a foal from Cruising at the time. Cruising was also a successful jumper, and his lineage made him an excellent match for Flex. On April 15th 1996 Flex delivered her first foal, a smashing chestnut colt sporting a stark white blaze, a feature which has become iconic as Flexible gained worldwide recognition.
Flexible’s Ascent
While Flex returned to the show jumping scene for a further two years before being retired, Flexible was being slowly produced by Paddy O’Donnell. With Edward in the saddle he jumped as a five-year-old, and the following year placed second in the six and seven-year-old championship at Cavan – the very same venue where his dam was “discovered” all those years earlier.
On this latter occasion, however, watching closely from the sidelines was American rider Rich Fellers alongside his agent Dermot Forde. Rich was on the lookout for a new horse, and Flexible had impressed him.
After some negotiation, a deal was struck, and the newcomer was on his way to America to begin his phenomenal career with the man who was to become his long-time partner.
Nine years later, not long before his dam passed away, Flexible returned to the Swedish venue in a bid to better the result of his sire, only to be defeated by Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Shutterfly. True to his name though, Flexible bounced back, and, after a further two attempts, finally won the coveted crown in April 2012. There were few people more proud that day than Edward Doyle and his wife Catherine. As the breeders of Flexible they received congratulatory calls from all over the world, with many asking about other Flex progeny.
Legacy and Future
As Flexible rose to fame, interest in his lineage grew. Punchestown House Stud boasts a stable filled with promising horses, and the stud remains optimistic that another superstar may emerge someday in future.