Mary Rothwell – following her dream

Mary Rothwell from Tinahely has had a love of horses and showing since she was a girl. This love continues to play a huge part in her adult life.

“It all started when I was about three years old. My parents got a pony from a friend of theirs in Thurles for my sister, Sharon, and I. Flossy was a bay mare, around 12 hands high. I think most of County Tipperary learned how to ride on her. She was a typical beginners pony with one gear and required grass reins to get from A to B.

“We entered lead-rein and fancy dress classes and poor Flossy was dressed up as all sorts but never batted an eye. Her showing career was exceptional if you started at the other end of the line. We had many years of fun with Shillelagh Pony Club.

“She hadn’t the looks, limbs or movement for showing but she was an all-round pony that I had great sport on and she gave me a love for all things equestrian.

“From there I progressed through pony club, jumping, eventing and shows during the summer months. My parents showed horses and cattle at the time, so the ponies were brought to local shows. I loved competing in the winter showjumping leagues in Broomfield Equestrian Centre.

“Dad would bring me every Sunday without fail. I enjoyed it so much so that I had to miss my sister’s Confirmation service as it fell on the same day as the league final and final day was double points. I was leading the league but double points could change it all. I made the afters though.

“I longed to compete in the Dublin Horse Show. I was too young to help with our mares and foals then but after years spent sitting outside Ring 1 with the catalogue in hand, dreaming and watching the ponies being exercised and checking if the ones I liked were marked “For sale,” I decided to follow my dream. As the summer approached, I started to drop suggestions about bringing my 13-hand pony, Ruby, to Dublin. This conversation never got a lot of airtime. It was too difficult to get me from Tinahely to Dublin for my class. It wasn’t possible.

“I decided, surely there was an alternative. If getting to Dublin was the problem then I could try get myself there.

“I thought and thought, then during this thinking process our local oil man, Christy Perry, arrived to fill the oil tanks. He was a great horseman and had lots of success with young horses over the years, in my head I thought “he might have a space for a little pony.”

“So without consulting anyone, I approached Christy mid-fill and asked would he bring Ruby and I to Dublin. Christy duly obliged.”

Best laid plans

Transport arranged, the next hurdle was saving for entry fees, measuring and if possible a velvet-covered hat.

“It is a memory that has stayed with me a lifetime. I don’t think I even knew how to ride a proper showpiece, but we bombed around and had a ball. My next RDS endeavor was also my first RDS victory, steering Norma Cook’s Freckles to pole position after being the only competitor to manage a canter from their donkey.

“In 1997 I qualified at Kilkenny for the Show Pony Person of the Year final, which took place in Tullamore.

“What seemed like a disaster at the time struck when Dad let down the lorry ramp to unload at Tullamore. On the load was our Simmental cow, Wilma, my pony Ruby and our broodmare, Mangan Junior.

“Wilma was unloaded first and walked over to the cattle section and next out was Ruby, completely covered in fresh cow dung. Washed again, we headed to the ring for judging. I reappeared at the lorry with a portable TV, a glass bowl and the Show Pony Person title.

“Jumping at Hickstead was the next equestrian highlight. During my school years at Kilkenny College, I competed on inter-schools showjumping teams. Without a doubt the highlight of this was jumping in Hickstead. Step, my pony at the time, jumped a fantastic round to secure our team a place in the final in the main arena, where we later parted company. It’s a long walk back from beside the Hickstead Derby bank when your pony is already waiting at the exit gate.

“During my time in Kilkenny College I also met a great friend, Jenny Lalor, who shared her equestrian knowledge and taught me how to ride side-saddle. She had me on a riding school pony walking, trotting, cantering and jumping with my legs tied together with a tail bandage [to keep my upper leg still]. It was so much fun, I immediately loved it and have continued to ride side saddle as much as possible.

Special moment

As for her best RDS memories, 2011 was a very special year, winning three championships; the champion filly, the Breeders’ Championship, the ridden coloured and also taking reserve in the hunter broodmare champion.

“It was a special moment, five horses together in the Parade of Champions, a special moment that was captured and has pride of place on our wall. It was a good year in the show-ring but a tough year emotionally as we lost my grandfather, Derek, later that year.

“As a child my dream was to gallop down the long side of the main arena in the RDS.”

This dream came true when Greenhall Wishing Well secured Mary the ridden hunter mare championship and reserve supreme hunter champion in 2016.

“I can still hear her number being called forward, a magical moment,” Mary says.

“As well as travelling to studs during the summer, Dad and I usually pair up to show a mare and foal combination. Being a teacher it’s my obligation to keep dad on task, including making him travel the country to competitions and qualifiers.

“When I’m not working or competing horses I’m doing my full-time job – secondary school teaching. This keeps me busy during term time and my family see little of me on the farm during the winter.

“It’s a career that lends itself well to equestrian sport as I have June, July and part of August to pursue my passion.”