Category: Christa Dillon
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 top of the pile when it […]
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 tactics such as changing the subject – or trying to circumnavigate issues or […]
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 to stick to the task and keep your eye on the end goal is […]
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, has inspired and united people worldwide, and has helped […]
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 rested. The eventing juggernaut will soon be underway again, and 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 and horse have many vastly different requirements in […]
“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 will cause him to ask you “At […]
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’s time to think about slowing down. The eventing juggernaut however, […]
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 racing. Through dogged persistence and immense determination, both horse and jockey made incredible comebacks and together they […]
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 results, this Olympic Games has sparked debate in Ireland like no other. Yesterday I stumbled upon an article written […]