Published: Wednesday, 1st September, 2010 5:00pm

A Killeshandra boy goes west!

Ollie loves life in the US, but still misses home.

Cavan native Ollie Galligan has been selected to represent Ireland at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky from September 25 to October 10, in the

discipline of reining. Here Ollie tells readers at home what it's all about and his life in California...

Name: Ollie Galligan

Date of birth: March 1973

Place of birth: Killeshandra

Education: Carrigallen

Occupation: professional horse trainer

Lives and works in: Petaluma, California

You moved to the US in 1997. Why?

I followed trainer friend Ben Balow, who was working as a reining trainer in Ireland at the time in Drumcoura City, Ballinamore. Ben offered me an apprentice position in Skull Valley, Arizona and I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to visit the States and also to gain reining and ranching experience.

Was it a difficult decision?

Very much so. Leaving my family was quite distressing and at the time I had a good job as a cabinet maker. My family was worried I was making a risky decision, leaving a stable, good paying job.

How is life in the US?

Life is great here. I started my own business, married an American girl and we live in a neat area on Sonoma County the wine country, only 45 minutes north of San Francisco. We have a lovely little ranch and have been blessed with a good life.

What (if anything) do you miss about Ireland?

I really miss Irish hospitality, the lush beauty of the country, my family and friends and a slower way of life.

Do you get back to Ireland often?

I have three sisters and one brother and it seems we have been back the past four years consistently with weddings. The last one was married last year, so we will have to find new excuses to keep up our travel there. Now that reining has been introduced to Ireland I hope to go back to do reining clinics around the country. This past month I was at the RDS promoting the sport of reining and met a lot of interested western riders.

What I love about the sport

The sheer athletic ability of these horses to perform the manoeuvres we ask of them. Also, the folks who are in the sport are predominantly a nice, family oriented, supportive fun group.

What is the biggest drag about my sport

Long hours at work and long hours behind the wheel hauling to shows. Anyone who has show horses know that their care is 24/7 and we put so many hours preparing for the shows, loading equipment, unloading, setting up and breaking down. That gets tiring and is so time consuming.

Biggest influence on your career

Ben Balow and Terry Walsh. Ben Balow opened the door for me to come to the US and he cultivated my reining training and talents. Terry Walsh, from Kilkenny, also working in Drumcoura, gave me my first riding lesson and got me hooked on reining. Terry also came to the US to work in Arizona and he and his wife Leticia helped me get through those first years in the US, keeping a little Irish tradition among us.

Greatest achievement to date

A world championship in 2006 and riding for Ireland in the upcoming Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Biggest disappointment to date

Not having more time with my family.

How did the Failte Ireland Dublin Horse Show go for you?

It was amazing. I had no idea what to expect and had to organise for the trip rather quickly. When I got there I was overwhelmed with the crowds and the amount of people who came to watch my demonstration. After the demonstration many people came to meet me and find out about the sport of reining. My parents, some cousins and siblings were also there to see what it is I do. It was a special moment to see my parents with tears of joy in their eyes watching their son in his element.

Goal for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games?

Win! (Of course) Actually, I am proud to just be there and hope to make Ireland proud.

Overall Goal for 2010

Was to push myself to a higher level of competition to prepare myself for the Alltech Games.

Ultimate Goal

To have one of the most successful reining barns in California.

Horse I am most excited about and why

That changes yearly with the prospects and new horses that come into the barn. I currently have a really nice four-year-old Quarter Horse Topsail Whiz stallion that has promise as a good Derby horse for next year.

My wife has a really nice three-year-old Appaloosa filly by our stallion Hobbys Spotted Chex. She plans to ride in the Appaloosa Reining Horse Futurity in November of this year.

What I'm really good at

Teaching.

What I'm no good at

Writing

I can't believe that

I will actually be competing at the Alltech WEG (World Equestrian Games) in a few weeks.

I couldn't imagine

Life without my wife.

What would I do if I wasn't an equestrian professional.

Guess I would have to go back to cabinet making!

Person in the world I'd most like to meet

Robert Duvall. He has always made sense of life in his movies and I would love to sit down and have a beer with him.

Ideal Place to live

Sonoma County, CA. The weather is not too hot and it's the perfect mix of town and country. We are close to San Francisco, the ocean and the mountains.

Besides horses I am passionate about

Steak of any kind and Irish breakfasts!

Favourite Restaurant

The Washoe House. This is a pub, restaurant across the street from our house. It's an historic building, one of the oldest roadhouses in the west, dating back to the mid-1800s. Its charm and the characters who frequent the place remind me of Ireland.

Favourite holiday

Christmas. There is nothing better than a good turkey dinner and I like the relaxation that comes with a few days off.

Favourite music

Music by Garth Brooks, Cold Play, Christy Moore, U2.

Favourite way to relax

In my jammies on the couch with a good movie!

• Alltech Ireland, which has a base in Dunboyne, is sponsoring the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010, in Kentucky from September 25.

• galliganperformancehorses.com

• alltechfeigames.com