Darragh Equestrian 3.6

The brain child of managing Director Helena Walsh, Darragh Equestrian Solutions Ltd was originally to carry the name of Paul Darragh, the cornerstone of the Irish International Show Jumping Team for so many years. His untimely death in January 2005 was a devastating blow to the family, Helena and the sport of international show jumping from which he had by then retired, having ridden for 30 years on the circuit and achieving over 50 Nations’ Cup team places.

With encouragement from International Show jumper’s Peter Charles and William Funnell, Helena and Paul’s brother, her partner David Darragh continued with the project.
David and Helena have been together for 15 years and in business together for three years. David is a former PR officer to the Irish Show Jumping Club of which Paul was a co founder and developed with Helena one of the best initiatives in Irish show jumping the hugely successful Guidam Spring Tour.

David has a passion for music working in the industry for many years, rugby and hunting, he was a Master with the Ballymacad North Meath. He has qualified as a Homeopathic Practitioner, working with complementary medicines and has a decade of experience of marketing in the pharmaceutical industry. But say’s Dave he is still not an employee of DES!

Helena left a high flying job in information technology when diagnosed with a life threatening illness; she fought and recovered from bowel cancer after a long series of operations and chemotherapy. In recovery and back on her feet, Paul found her a horse just before he died, declaring that horses were the best cure for the ills of a human and for Helena he was right she is still competing successfully on the same horse today. The illness convinced her to look for something new in her life and from these small beginnings Darragh Equestrian Solution, within a short time has established a high profile position in the Irish equestrian marketplace, priding themselves on their very personnel and unique customer service and attention to detail. They have secured a formidable array of high quality brands and represent them throughout Ireland, North and South.

David’s father Austin Darragh is now also involved in the company having recently being appointed Chairman, to add his expertise to the strategic planning, finance and business development areas of the company.