THE TEAM
The team at E.I.S. are very experienced horsemen and horsewomen who love, understand and care about horses.
Andrea O Brien (Director)
Having been around horses from a very young age, Andrea made a decision to make horses her life and in 1997 travelled to Switzerland to work as head travelling groom for Rene Amstutz. Andrea worked with Rene for over a year and during this time travelled to many of the top international shows throughout Europe.
Still eager to travel, she moved further a field to Canada to become head groom for the successful Kinmarlin Stables hunter/jumper team in Georgetown Ontario. Andrea remained in Canada for the following four years where she worked closely with Canadian rider Kim Kirton. Andrea moved back to Ireland in 2004 and still with a passion to work in the equine Industry took up the position of Shipping Administrator with Peden Equine Transport. Andrea worked at Pedens for five years, during which time she gained extensive knowledge in the transportation of horses worldwide.
In December of 2005, realising that there was a gap in the Irish market, she set-up Equine International Shipping Ltd. The company has been growing from strength to strength shipping horses worldwide ever since. Andrea is also an avid dressage enthusiast and competes throughout Ireland when time permits.
Raymond Carroll (Director)
Raymond came on board as a director of E.I.S. in February 2008, having spent the previous nine years working as a client relationship manager in the investment funds industry. After getting the 'equine bug' at a very young age, Raymond knew that eventually it was inevitable that he would work in the equine industry in some shape or form.
In 1998 Raymond travelled to West Palm Beach in Florida to the Winter Equestrian Festival to work as sole groom for International and American Nations Cup team rider Candice King. While working with Candice, Raymond had the opportunity to further develop his knowledge of horses focusing particularly on their fitness, nutrition and general well-being for competition.
He has always been heavily involved in the equine industry in Ireland and has a huge interest in Show jumping. Raymond also prepares thoroughbred yearlings for sales from time to time and is renowned for his abilities to produce them to the highest standards and also his patience with them. Raymond also groomed for the Irish Junior eventing squad at the European Championships at Necarne Castle in 2006.
He is a very experienced flying groom and flies regularly with our horses to various destinations worldwide. Raymond rides regularly and competes in the show-jumping ring at amateur level.
Lucy Allen (Flying Groom)
An extremely accomplished woman in the equine industry, Lucy is highly regarded as one of the hardest working and best horse women in Ireland today. Hailing originally from the UK, Lucy began her grooming career when working for Trevor Banks.
During her time with Trevor, Lucy worked for English International riders Harvey Smith and Capt. Mark Phillips. She then took up the post of International travelling groom for another English International rider, Freddy Welsh who competed on over 110 nations cup teams worldwide. Lucy was later approached by the world famous Swiss International team rider Thomas Fuchs, with whom, she worked with for the following ten years.
Lucy and Thomas travelled the world to shows such as Madison Square Gardens in NY, Spruce Meadows in Canada, Monterrey in Mexico and numerous World and European Championships, including the 1988 Seoul Olympics in South Korea. In 1987 Lucy was commissioned to travel to Japan and successfully trained Japanese rider Padahiko Takimya for qualification to the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
Lucy also worked very closely with the then Swiss team vet Dr. Steil, with whom she gained invaluable experience in the veterinary care of horses.
John Bryce Smith (Flying Groom)
John has enjoyed considerable success and experience in the racing world, initially as a jockey and later as a trainer. He began his successful career at the tender age of 14, having ridden his very first winner on the track. He continued this reign of success throughout his career riding a further 25 winners on the track and also 43 point-to-point winners.
In 1965 he decided to 'hang up' his boots in favour of a career as a trainer. John trained race horses for the following 33 years, adding a further 190 winners to his already impressive tally. His most notable wins came in 1977 when he trained Spitten Image to win both the prestigious Galway Plate and the Kerry National.
A keen hunting enthusiast, John also whipped-in to the famous Tara Harriers Hunt in Co. Meath for over 10 years and also hunted the hounds on occasion. An exceptional horseman, John has flown with horses for many years and is renowned for his calm and understanding approach with them.
Jon is especially good with nervous travellers, making them feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible during transit. We are delighted to have the opportunity to use John's vast knowledge and experience when flying with our horses.
Thomas McCreesh (Flying Groom)
Thomas grew up around horses, working at his parents trekking centre at the foothills of the mountains of Mourne in Co. Armagh.
He holds the BHSAI instructors certificate and now runs a successful breaking and training facility at his home in Newry. He is renowned for producing young horses and is an extremely talented horseman, favouring a quiet and sympathetic approach when dealing with horses.
Therefore, he is particularly good with nervous or anxious travellers. Thomas has extensive experience in flying procedures for horses and has many years of experience on charter and scheduled flights worldwide.
He has always had a passion for hunting and in 2005 took up the prestigious position of Huntsman for the Oriel Harriers and hunts regularly with other packs throughout Ireland. We are delighted to have Thomas on board as part of the team.
