While family roots are deeply entrenched in his native homeland - and Billy recalls a multitude of memories and victories in and around Cork - the talented rider crossed the Irish Sea to seek more experience.
Training with Albert Voorn in Holland preceded a stint with Jason and Katrina Moore in Essex. His success on the national circuit did not go unnoticed and before too long, the popular rider landed a dream job, as stable jockey to Michael Whitaker "I was always striving to better myself. To me, Michael was the greatest rider in the world and I wanted to be like him," said Billy.
Career Highlights
2014
- Qualified for the World Cup Final, Lyon 2014
2013
- Bronze Medalist at the Nations Cup Final, Barcelona
- Leading Show Jumper of the Year 2013 HOYS
- Winner Dublin International Horse Show
- Represented Ireland on 4 Nations Cup Teams
- Winner British Masters Championship
2012
- Represented Ireland at the London Olympic Games
- Winner Grand Palais, Paris
- Represented Ireland on 4 Nations Cup Teams
- Winner Horse of the Year Show
2011
- Winner Valencia Grand Prix
- Winner Zurich Grand Prix
- Winner Basel Grand Prix
- 2nd Grand Prix Leipzig
- 2nd CSI5* GCT Doha
2010
- Winner Grand Prix Amsterdam
- Winner Grand Prix Barelona
- Winner CSIO5* Aachen
2009
- Winner Grand Prix 110 Vejer dela Frontera
- 5th Grand Prix 77 Vejer de la Frontera
- 4th Speed Challenge Amsterdam
- Winner Grand Prix Amsterdam
- Winner NH Hotels Trophy La Coruna
- 6th Grand Prix La Coruna
2008
- 2nd Tsunami, Porto
- 8th Grand Prix Porto
- 7th Grand Prix Unex Towerlands
- 2nd Grand Prix Oldenburg
- Winner Grand Prix Belfast International Horse Show
- Winner Grand Prix HOYS
- 6th Vinopolis Trophy HOYS
- 6th Speed Horse of the Year HOYS
- 3rd Grand Prix 1 Vejer de la Frontera
- 5th Grand Prix 2 Vejer se la Frontera
- 2nd Grand Prix Bordeaux
- 6th Prix Casino Bordeaux
- 3rd Jumping Amsterdam
- 3rd BSJA Festival easibed 1.40m Grand Prix
- Winner Foxhunter regional final
- Winner Horse and Hound Foxhunter Final HOYS
- Winner Leading Show Jumper HOYS
- Winner Dick Turpin Stakes HOYS
- Winner Sylvia Barnes Memorial Cup HOYS
2007
- 2nd British Open Championship
- 4th Birmingham City Shield British Open
- 5th Speed Stakes British Open
- 2nd Winter B&C Championships
- 3rd National 1.40m Windsor
- 2nd Grand Prix Southview
- 3rd 7 yo Championships HOYS
2006
- 6th British Open Championships
- 4th Grand Prix Castle Ashby
- Winner Newcomers Championship HOYS
- 4th 6 yo Championship HOYS
- 3rd Welcome Stakes HOYS
- 2nd Leading Show Jumper of the Year HOYS
- 3rd Dick Turpin Stakes HOYS
- 3rd Speed Horse of the Year HOYS
- 2nd Grand Prix Belfast International Horse Show
2005
- Winner Grand Prix, Sunshine Tour, Spain, Feb '05
- 2nd Grand Prix, Sunshine Tour, Spain '05
- 4th Grand Prix, Sheffield, April '05
- 4th Speed, Madrid, Spain, May '05
- Winner Speed, Leicester county, May '05
- 4th Grand Prix, Windsor, May '05
- 2nd Speed, St Gallen, Switzerland,June '05
- 3rd Jump off, St Gallen
- 5th Nations Cup, St Gallen
- Winner Speed, Rotterdam, Netherlands,June '05
- 4th Nations Cup, Rotterdam
2004
- Winner Grand Prix, Maubege, France '04
- Winner Speed, Windsor, '04
- Winner 1.40 Easibed Scope Festival, '04
- Winner Aga Khan, Dublin '04
- National Champion, Festival, Arena UK '04
- Winner Grandstand Media Cup, HOYS '04
- Winner HOYS Classic, HOYS '04
- 4th Grand Prix, Belfast '04
- Winner Grand Prix, Towerlands '04
2003
- 2nd Grand Prix, British Open, Sheffield '03
- 2nd Grand Prix , Mauberge, Belgium '03
- Winner Grand Prix, La Baule, France '03
- 2nd Grand Prix, St Gallen, Switzerland '03
- Winner Nations Cup, St Gallen '03
- Winner Nations Cup, Aachen, Germany '03
- Winner Speed Derby, Hickstead, England '03
- 2nd Grand Prix, Dublin, Ireland '03
- 2nd Grand Prix, Norden Hadenburg, Germany '03
2002
- Winner Leicester County IT '02
- Winner Gentleman's Championship, Richmond '02
- Winner International Grand Prix, Essex '02
- Winner Xerox Cup, London '02
- 2nd Grand Prix, Stockholm '02
- 2nd Grand Prix, London '02
2001
- Winner Daewoo Grand Prix, London '01
- 2nd Hickstead Derby, London '01
- 2nd Speed Horse of the Year, London '01
2000
- International wins at Liege and Amsterdam'00
- London Hickstead Speed Derby'00
- 4th London Hickstead Derby'00
- Dublin Kerrygold Classic'00
- Canada Calgary Atco Power Stakes'00
- London Wembley Grand Prix'00
- International wins at Mauberge, La Baule and Laucerne'00
- Nations Cup Victory's at Modena, Lummen, Dublin and Calgary
- Shortlisted Sidney Olympics '00
