To Dublin & beyond

It’s fair to say that almost every pony-mad child across the country is united by one thing: they all dream of competing at the Dublin Horse Show. At the age of seven, Aoife Brennan has already accomplished this dream and has her sights set even higher.

There is no doubt Aoife is extremely determined and focused, but on the other hand, her love for ponies and the fun associated with them connects her with many kids her age.

Aoife is now just days away from riding in her second Dublin Horse Show. Last year, she competed on her pony Pudding (Proclins Prince Charming) in the Lead-rein class. This year, she is heading to the iconic show to compete in the Lead-rein class once again, but with her other pony Marriott (Uppacott Xotica), and she has spent the last year preparing for this week.

In 2018, Aoife’s efforts in Dublin didn’t go unnoticed. She came home with a highly commended rosette for her efforts which takes pride of place in the family kitchen. To add to this, last year’s experience has left her with an unfaltering attitude to make the most of this week and to achieve the best result possible.

Well she aims high anyway

When asked about her equestrian goals, Aoife beams as she says that she would love to win in Dublin some day and to go to the Horse of the Year Show at the NEC Arena in Birmingham. Áine, Aoife’s mum, interjects with a giggle and says: “Well she aims high anyway.”

Despite her success, Aoife is very much aware that horses are her hobby and that the most important thing is to enjoy herself – which, from talking to her, there is no doubt that she loves every second spent with her ponies and family.

Both Aoife’s ponies are kept at home on the family farm just outside Castlecomer in Co Kilkenny. This makes it easier for her to ride and look after them, especially during school term.

This is the last year Aoife is eligible to compete in the Lead-rein class and deciding which pony she would bring to Dublin was a tough decision

Her dad Paul keeps sucklers and some sheep on the 60-acre farm, but the two ponies seem to gain the most attention from the family as a whole. Paul also works in the local mart and does some building work.

This is the last year Aoife is eligible to compete in the Lead-rein class and deciding which pony she would bring to Dublin was a tough decision, eventually the call was made to bring Marriott, who Aoife says is very well behaved.

Marriott is 18-years-old and knows the ropes. Aoife is part of the long list of riders who she has taught over the years. In 2008, she won the Lead-rein class and she has also finished second in the First Ridden class.

A family affair

As is very often the case, it takes an army to get a horse and rider to the Dublin Horse Show. In Aoife’s case, this army is made up of her family, with Áine and grandad John playing two of the most important roles.

John has been involved in horses throughout his life. “Sure I was brought up with them.”

To this day, John continues to ride, he has a special project with Aoife – a rescue pony called Diamond

He recalls jumping bareback onto the workhorse they had at home when he was growing up. His love for horses never faded, and it was something he passed on to his daughter and now his granddaughter.

To this day, John continues to ride, he has a special project with Aoife – a rescue pony called Diamond who he recently broke-in and Aoife has just begun competing on.

Áine also grew up with horses, although she says her experience wasn’t quite like Aoife’s. She competed a lot but never made it to Dublin, but she did ride in the Spring Show. It unfortunately no longer runs, but used to take place in the RDS.

As Aoife’s leader in the Lead-rein class, Áine has to go into the ring and help guide Aoife around. This requires a lot more skill than it might appear from the outside. She explains how she has to run gracefully around beside Aoife, while maintaining the correct position, she also has to stay far enough away from Aoife so that the judges can see Aoife’s ability and so that they can assess the pony clearly.

It also means the mother-daughter combination need an extra pair of hands at shows, especially when Aoife is competing both ponies. This is where John comes in. He accompanies (and often drives) Aoife and Áine to the shows. When they arrive he is number-one groom according to Aoife.

Aoife has one older sister, Chloe (nine) and a younger brother James (five). Chloe comes to most of the agricultural shows with Aoife, although she competes in the arts and crafts competitions rather than horse riding. Chloe explains how she used to ride when she was younger but has become more interested in art in recent years. Her rosette collection from winning art competitions rivals Aoife’s equestrian collection.

James is more involved in helping Aoife, he loves to feed the ponies and enjoys being around them but is yet to take to the saddle.

Focus

Aoife does a huge amount of the work with the ponies herself. Áine is more than happy to help Aoife and bring her to all the shows, but at home Aoife has to put in the hard graft herself.

Speaking with the seven-year-old, it’s evident she understands how much work and time she and the rest of her family put in. Aoife rides at least once every day, taking out Pudding one day and Marriott the next. This gives her time to care for both ponies and to enjoy life outside horses.

When it comes to being in the ring, Aoife could easily be accused of taking showing more seriously than her mum. Áine explains how Aoife is the one telling her what to do when they are competing, rather than the other way around. She laughs as she recalls Aoife telling her, “Mum you have to smile”, as they ran around the ring.

Preparations for Dublin began in January this year with regular trips to local show jumping leagues and competitions. Both the mother and daughter recall one January morning when it was so cold they couldn’t feel their fingers.

“I really did question what we were doing, but it all pays off now,” smiles Áine.

The competition is tough but her preparation has gone well. So far this season, Aoife has come home with numerous rosettes for winning or placing in her classes and she has won five championships

The family’s journey to Dublin has taken them all over the country, from local agricultural shows to the Equi-fest in Cavan Equestrian Centre and further afield. Aoife, Áine and John aim to go to at least one show every weekend over the course of the showing season, this means early starts on most weekends, which Aoife says she doesn’t mind at all.

The competition is tough but her preparation has gone well. So far this season, Aoife has come home with numerous rosettes for winning or placing in her classes and she has won five championships.

More than capable of riding off the lead-rein, Aoife enjoys riding around the fields at home and jumping on her own. She also competes side-saddle and plans to do more of this next season. Aoife has great plans for next year as she moves out of the Lead-rein ranks, she hopes to compete in the First Ridden Show Hunter, side-saddle and the Cradle Stakes Working Hunter.

Equestrian life doesn’t only involve showing for Aoife, she regularly visits Kilbride Equestrian Centre where she gets lessons and sometimes gets to compete other ponies. She also has high hopes for Diamond, the young pony rescued and broken in by her grandad.

For now Aoife’s world revolves around the Dublin Horse Show. Early in the week the family will go and get a feel of everything.

Then come the early hours of Saturday morning they will load Marriott into the horsebox and head up the motorway to Ballsbridge with plenty of time to find their stable, get settled in and add the final touches before heading into the ring on Saturday afternoon.

Then it’s all up to the judges, but no matter what the result is, no one could ever fault Aoife and her whole family for not putting everything into their Dublin preparations.