Event: Show jumping.
Who is he? 31-year-old Broderick has equestrianism in his veins and has been competing in show jumping since he was 16. His father Austin trained racehorses at the family home of Ballypatrick Stables, where the family now run a business and breed horses from.
Where’s he from? Broderick hails from Thurles, Co. Tipperary, where his Horse Going Global has been registered since 2012 after being bred by Ita Brennan in Kilkenny.
Olympic CV: This will be the Tipp man’s first Games, but he was part of Ireland’s Aga Khan victory at the RDS last year.
Road to Rio: Broderick was a somewhat controversial choice for Horse Sport Ireland to send to Rio as Ireland’s only representative in the competition.
The spot at the Games had been earned by Bertram Allen and his horse Molly Malone early this year, but HSI deemed the consistency of Broderick and Going Global to be the better bet than the top 10-ranked Allen.
When does he start? Tune in on Sunday 14 August for the opening rounds from 2pm.
Where can I follow him? He’s on Twitter @GregBrodericks.
What he says:
“When it’s not a big day, he’s quite easy on himself. When it’s not a big occasion, he doesn’t blow you away jumping around at 1.45m,” Broderick says of Going Global in an interview with Noelle Floyd.
“But when you go to jump a 1.60m track that’s important get him up a gear, he knows it s a big occasion and he really grows underneath you.”
“For the future, our goals are clear. To go and medal in the Olympics is definitely number one.”
Medal chances
Broderick seems to have a steady temperament and his mount seems to rise to the occasion. Competition will be fierce, but Ireland are a force to be reckoned with in this event and Jerry believes the podium is calling.
And here’s something you probably didn’t know… Going Global is better known to his friends as Junior.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
