It has often been said that “horses are in the blood”. My grandmother, Maura Kelly, was a keen horsewoman, fiercely competitive and wise in the art of ringcraft. She kept three traditionally bred broodmares and the horses in the yard today go back to these three in some way.

I loved spending time with my grandmother doing whatever jobs she had lined up for me in the yard. I learned to ride on her hunter, Jane, and later she would take me to Maloney’s in Warrington Equestrian Centre for lessons.

Excellent grounding

I had several ponies over the years, none the push- button type but each teaching me valuable lessons – patience, endurance and even stickability. Wexford Pony Club gave me an excellent grounding and I still teach at camps there. Mrs HP Cairns, who played a big part in the Wexford branch, always took an interest in my progress.

Maura Kelly was a formidable woman, forthright and said it as she saw it. Although her commentary wouldn’t always go down well, the good days were always celebrated and cherished.

My first real experience of showing horses was with Otto, a Young Barnaby-King Henry yearling, when I was about 13. She would watch from the ringside, providing directions each time I’d pass her on the walk around.

When I was old enough I was allowed go to the RDS for the week to ‘help’. I loved the RDS and just couldn’t wait to get to be competing there myself. I qualified my pony for the McDonalds equitation final when I was 12, and I’ve been lucky enough to have ‘something for Dublin’ a good few times now.

Slyguff connections

From the horses bred in the yard in my grandmother’s time, my grand-aunt Sheila Ryan took her foundation mare. She produced show horses and eventers found competing all over Europe. My grand-uncle Tommy Mullally also bred successful show horses and I bought a Master Imp mare from Tommy.

She has produced two lovely fillies for me so far, both are by Pointilliste and fly the flag for Slyguff. Many horses I have now have links to the Slyguff stallions. The route there was well-worn by my grandmother, and of course many others. Frances and Barbara are two great, hard-working ladies. Barbara is great to keep tabs on what you might have competing and watches your progress with interest. The loss of King’s Master (Billy) I’m sure leaves a gap at Slyguff. A great servant to the Hattons, his progeny’s success stories are many.

One Bahrain mare bred several very nice jumpers and eventers. One of her last foals was a Tasset filly who unfortunately fell as a foal and broke her hip. She was never broken, but being a nice type was put in foal.

She bred three King’s Master foals. The first was sold and I’ve since bought her back to breed from. The second was Irish Light, sold to Anthony Gordon, who went on to win the Limerick Lady and Dublin as a two-year-old. Anthony sold her to Scotland as a young mare with a foal at foot.

Marley and me

The third was a chestnut colt, HL Marley And Me, and as soon as he hit the ground I knew he was special. As a foal he had that innocent curiosity that I love and he thrived on attention. Marley is still like that today. He has been to Dublin every year since he was a yearling and has won seven Dublin rosettes. It’s almost like his summer holiday at this stage.

I will never forget when he won the Pembroke Cup in 2015. It’s a true privilege to have my name on that magnificent cup along with all the greats. My grandmother won the cup in 1973 and 1976, so it was a great honour to have it in the house again.

He is a lovely horse to work with, he has character and takes each challenge in his stride. There’s great trust between us, something I believe is so important working with horses. I think every horse you work with teaches you as much as you teach them. We are working towards two-star eventing, using the winter months to fine-tune our dressage and show jumping.

Family support

I owe all my success to my family, the privilege of growing up on a farm and the great start to equestrian life given to me by my grandparents. My parents continue to be a massive support.

This year my mother, Mary, and I bought a Nazar filly foal and I’m looking forward to watching her progress. My father, Nicholas, maintains an interest, time being his limiting factor as he runs the farm with my brother, Jamie.

We are so lucky to have such a fantastic selection of well-run and supported shows. They map out my summer from year to year and with each show comes a wealth of experience, whether you’re in the show ring competing or watching on the edge. I love showing, I think it’s a real art and great for young horses.

My career as a teacher helps me to keep working with horses as once the summer comes I know I’m free to spend it travelling to shows and with the horses. This September I became the principal in my local school in Glenmore, which makes for much less travel time. Although still very much settling into the position and the administration work attached to the job takes time after school, I can still do the horses before and after school. This is indeed a privilege.

Horses are a great leveler, every success is always hard earned. Although this time of year challenges everyone who is involved with animals, the anticipation of springtime and the start of another show season puts a pep in their wellington step. It certainly does for me.

Laura Kelly was in coversation with Susan Finnerty.