Born and raised in Ireland Michael is now Executive Director of Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) the management company that runs the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington Florida. He was an International Jumping rider for Ireland and has been Manager of the Irish Olympic Team in Atlanta as well as the World Equestrian Games in The Hague. On a national level as well as Jumping he has ridden Eventing and Dressage and was Secretary General of the Equestrian Federation of Ireland for 10 years. He was Managing Director of his family’s horse feed business for 5 years before joining the FEI in 1997 as their Development officer. In 1998 he became FEI Assistant Secretary General and in 2003 he was appointed to the new position of FEI Sports Director .In 2006 he became FEI Secretary General and resigned in 2007 and joined ESP.

He is a keen golfer and plays off a handicap of 16. He has also played football and rugby as well as tennis. Other interests include the cinema, cooking and travel.