Meet the Wexford stunt master whose credits include Bravehaert and Vikings

Rescued stallion Eros now stars in stunt shows and screen productions, thanks to the dedication of Wexford horse master David Byrne

From left: Jan Polak, Oisín Keegan, Paul Reck, Jack Gassmann, Tereza Prorok, and David Byrne, who started out performing stunts more than two decades ago after enjoying success both in modelling and as a movie extra. Picture: Patrick Browne

After being rescued from a life of relentless cruelty, Eros is now set to follow in the hoof prints of Hollywood stars such as Black Beauty.

Based in Wexford, the stallion is one of three stunt animals owned by David Byrne from DB stunts, who has worked with high-profile actors from Sean Penn to Cillian Murphy. The 64-year-old is one of the only horse masters in Ireland with certification from the Spanish Riding School in Spain which specialises in the art of classical horsemanship.

His stunt horses Eros, Emperor, and Hassan have appeared in live shows across the country as well as television projects. They are also being used to train some of Ireland’s top stunt artists at David’s stables in Inch, Wexford.

The animals are skilled at working in challenging environments known for their crowds, special effects, and bright lights.

Cossack trick riding is a show of horsemanship that mixes equestrian skills with acrobatic stunts to demonstrate a rider's agility, balance, and control over their horse. Stunt co-ordinator, performer, and horse master David has appeared in some well-known blockbusters including Braveheart, which starred Mel Gibson and was filmed in Wexford and Meath.

The former firefighter started out performing stunts more than two decades ago after enjoying success both in modelling and as a movie extra. He had also worked as a jockey, and was glad to be able to combine his two loves by carving out a career working with stunt horses.

Jack Gassmann, on Bitter Steel, performing an attack on horseback. Picture: Patrick Browne

David’s training is built on trust which he has managed to gain over time from every one of his stunt horses. 

Speaking about one of his most notable success stories, Eros, he said: “Eros was very badly treated and wasn’t far from being emaciated when he first came to me. 

He attacked me four times when he first came here because it was all he knew. He learned this was the only way to get people away from him

"He is 20 years old now but came to me unbroken at the age of 17, so he’s still very stallion like. He’ll have to stay here for the rest of his life because trying to show jump these horses wouldn’t be possible. The knowledge isn’t there.” 

He explained how he goes about training the horses.

“I won’t watch anything about animal cruelty online because I want to kill the people who do it,” he told the Irish Examiner. 

However, he says if the horse has been beaten or mistreated in the past, "you can’t sympathise with the horse too much because that won’t help them".

"You have to find that balance. If you are shouting or hostile, then the horse feels that energy and goes back to his old ways. 

"You also need to be dominant. If you’re nervous the horse is going to start wondering what is wrong and why you’re not in control. There is no thoroughbred in these animals. 

"With the lusitanos, you get the high action without the horse being mad. If you have a thoroughbred doing the same actions, it’s a sign that they are going to harm you.” 

Jack Gassmann holds up the Tricolour during a Cavalry Charge. Picture: Patrick Browne

David — whose other television and film credits include Vikings, King Arthur, Disenchanted, and Penny Dreadful — said that not every stunt performer is cut out for working with animals.

“You can teach the person how to get from A to B, and they do the falls themselves, but even if they pass the test, there are some people who I wouldn’t have on a film set," he added.

There are some obvious drawbacks to working with horses on set, and it's not all plain sailing.

“The horse doesn’t care about your movie. You can’t ask him10 times to keep doing something because he’s not going to be happy. If you are going to work with animals or kids, you have to set this up. 

"I,  as a horse master, will tell the team that they have two or three shots before the horse needs to be rested and they always go along with that.” 

The job, David said, requires much hard work and discipline.

“It’s a lot of hard work. Being stuck all day with a horse on a film set is not easy. While everyone goes to get a cup of tea, you can’t go anywhere because you have to look after the horse. You also have to know the horse is up for the job.” 

Hassan is one of David’s veterans performers, having lived in his stables for 29 years.

Horse master David Byrne training with his horse Emperor. Picture: Patrick Browne

“He can rear and is a great mover even though he’s a small looking horse. It’s been 29 years since he came to us from Saville. He makes the rider look good because of his movement, but he won’t do anything to you. A lot of actors like having horse riding on their CV, so he is always a good one to get. 

He has done jousting exhibitions on the site of the Battle of the Boyne, where we explain about the training of war horses and go through the moves as well as firing the muskets off and swinging swords

He described one of their most daring stunts.

“We can set the rider’s cape on fire as he rides without harming the horse. You obviously have to be extra careful with horses because they can’t tell you that something is too hot. If this is the case, the horse will just start running. We need to have it set up from the start so that everything can be taken off really quickly and the horse doesn’t get harmed.”

During his younger days, David admits that much of his horse riding was done in secret.

“If I had gone near a horse, my father would have gone mad because he associated them with gambling. He never knew that I was riding in racehorses. It went from that to me having a whole barn of horses and asking myself where they all came from.” 

The father of two has a series of relaxation techniques which he uses on his horses.

“I don’t try to get them used to anything,” he said.

“Instead, I’ll train them to stop focusing on what’s going on externally and bring them back to their own bodies to help them feel in control again. This can be done involving techniques such as flag waving. Over the years I’ve studied a lot of methods.”