Where it all started...
Since I can remember, I have always had a love for horses and have always wanted to be a top showjumper. I don't come from a particularly wealthy background, but I'm lucky enough to have extremely 'horsey' and supportive parents. From the age of 3/4 I have been lucky enough to be around horses, I spent the days before then nagging my parents until they let me join in with my brothers, having riding lessons!!
As all parents do initially, they were unsure as to whether or not it was 'just a phase' and so I had regular riding lessons at riding schools until I was 6 years old. It was then I got my first pony, a rather tempremental little black welsh mare called Milly.
From this point on, we have never looked back. Over the years, I've had ponies and horses who have made me the person, and the rider that I am today. Some were confidence building, others stickabilty building!
Without a doubt, I would not be where I am today without all these fantastic animals. I had my first real fun and memories with Barney, who was my best friend since I was 9. After many years of fun and happy memories, he retired and lived out his days with us until 2011 when he passed away at 40.
I believe that both he, and my mums JA pony Jack 'Topo Gigio', really were the making of me. I learnt everything with these ponies, I grew up with them, learning so many parts of life that would help me later on. They gave me the confidence, and in Barneys case the stickability, to carry on into bigger more challenging horses. Jack was the ultimate showjumping pony. Unknown to us when we bought him, he was a pony at the top of his game in his younger years. He had competed for Ireland, England and Great Britian in European showjumping. He taught me everything, taking me from 2ft to 3'6 national championships within 6 months. He too is now retired and happily playing Grandad with our youngsters in lush paddocks.
It was here I came across Niamh, a tempremental, hormonal stroppy mare, who had a reputation that followed her like a bad smell. Somehow, I saw through the facade she likes to put on, and saw a nervy, untrusting mare, who just needed understanding, time and a friend to trust in. Giving her the opportunity she needed was the best decision I ever made. There were countless times when her bags were literally packed, but I somehow twisted my parents arms into giving her just a little more time.
We have had some pretty big highs and lows together, I affiliated her late in 2010, possibly the best thing that happened to us yet. She has huge potential, with scope that seems to be increasing all the time. She is now confidently jumping 1.15, with the hope to move up to foxhunter by the end of 2011 - A pretty huge achievement for a horse thats affiliated for little over a year!
I love almost every aspect of the sport, I love schooling and training horses, which is where my ambitions really lie. I hope to bring on youngsters to the highest standard I can, whilst competing and teaching others. I wish to compete at a high level, particularly on horses that I have produced myself. With the new additions to the team, in the form of some beautiful young horses, with all the
attitude and breeding needed for success in the world of showjumping, I hope that I will be successful in reaching these goals.
Whether I reach my dreams and aspirations is obviously an unknown... but to me, if I do not try to achieve them, I will never know what could have been....
I hope you can enjoy keeping up to date with our journey, our successes and trials along the way. It is sure to be a fantastic experience for us all...!
'The road to success is a long one, but those who are willing to face the trials and tribulations along the way, will find great reward in what they achieve....'