Finding and breeding the champions of the future
What top riders are looking for in their top horses For such a small nation, the Irish punch way above their weight on the world stage. This is never more evident than when it comes to breeding event horses. Year on year, the Irish Sport Horse is at the t...
WHEN TO SAY NO?
I recently read a really good article about training young horses. The author was discussing the Importance of not ‘kicking the can down the road’ when you run into difficulties with your horse. The main theme of the article was that avoidance...
Horses, punishment and New Year resolutions…
New Years resolutions. Is there a need? Life is punishing enough without willfully torturing yourself in the spirit of ‘new beginnings’. Anyway, everyone else is at it so we had better take a look. Resolve is an excellent quality. Being able t...
Hannah Francis and Willberry Wonder Pony – 6 legs, 2 hearts, Pure Inspiration
It is said that success is not only measured by what you achieve in your lifetime, but also in what you inspire others to do. Event rider Hannah Francis was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2015, at just seventeen years of age. Her story has changed lives, ...
Tis the season to be… off??
The off season. Well named really, since starting back feral event horses can involve quite a lot of impromptu offing. The close of the European season in October generally sees riders (try to) escape for a quick holiday, and horses are let down and reste...
Self esteem… it’s not just a human condition. Our horses possess it too and it can work for you or against you.
Low self esteem is a common affliction of the human condition. Sadly, a great many people feel that they are not worthy or somehow not quite good enough, and they can end up enduring a rather passive existence. The same is also true of horses. Whilst man ...
Catching the success train…stopping at goal setting-ville, re-evaluation-town and keeping an eye on the long-game…
“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” ~ Pablo Picasso Giving a man a bow and an arrow and telling him to shoot wi...
Burghley 2016 preview – a strong Irish contingent has its eyes on the prize
The arrival of the month of September means many things to many people. For some, it means gearing up for the winter – National Hunt trainers are welcoming the winter jumpers back in and hunters are busy pounding the tarmac. For others, it means it&...
Individual Olympic Gold for Nick Skelton and Big Star
The 1984 film ‘Champions’ tells the story of jockey Bob Champion and the racehorse Aldaniti. Champion was diagnosed with cancer and not expected to survive. Aldaniti suffered a catastrophic tendon breakdown and was not predicted to return to r...
Ireland’s Olympic equestrian performance… is criticism justified?
Irish equestrianism at the Rio Olympics has been a rather roller coaster ride from start to end. From the ‘controversial’ selection of Greg Broderick for the individual showjumping place available through to the unexpected eventing team result...
