Irish eventer Aoife Clark has paid tribute to her London 2012 Olympic ride Master Crusoe, who has died aged 25.

“Thank you for being my friend, my partner, for changing my life,” said Aoife (29 April).

Aoife produced the Master Imp son, known at home as Paddy, up the ranks from a six-year-old. The pair were fifth in their first advanced at Aston-le-Walls in July 2009, and that year finished 13th in the Blenheim eight-and-nine-year-olds. In 2010 they picked up top-10 placings at four-star at Chatsworth, Barbury and Blenheim and the following year completed their first Badminton, finishing 48th.

Aoife and Master Crusoe finished seventh individually at the London 2012 Games and were eighth at Badminton in 2013. Their last competition together was in April 2014 at Weston Park.

Aoife said Paddy was “truly one in a million”.

“I loved him unlike any other. Small in size, but huge in ability and heart, he has been such a huge part of my life, and I would not have the career I have without him,” she said.

“From Olympics, Badminton, to decking me in a dressage lesson with Carl Hester, and getting sent home from hunting for overtaking the hounds, it’s been a hell of a ride, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

“Jumping a triple clear at the London Olympics to finish seventh, and going into that huge atmosphere together, was the highlight of our competitive career, two hearts as one.”

Aoife added that Paddy was the sharpest horse she had ever sat on, but said he had the “hugest heart and will”.

“Wow, did he try me as a five-year-old, but I would get to 10-minutes on a cross-country and merely click to encourage him home and he would take off with me,” she said.

“He was the biggest dote in the stable, loved cuddles, super chilled, and had a wildness, and independence, to ride that taught me so much, as a rider and as a person.”

Paddy enjoyed his retirement with Aoife.

“He was hacked every other day and scared numerous grooms off hacking him with his antics, even recently,” she said.

“He will be hugely missed by everyone at home, and those who have had the pleasure of looking after him over the years.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2026, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

*Exclusive* ‘Competitors will have to dig deep’: watch William Fox-Pitt walk key cross-country fences ahead of Badminton

‘Riders’ focus on their horses’ body health is a positive step,’ says Pippa Roome after Kentucky Three-Day Event

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Irish Olympic eventer Aoife Clark managed to jump clear round an international cross-country track – although her stirrup had snapped in two early on course.

Oxfordshire-based Aoife was riding seven-year-old gelding Fetiche Des Rouge, known at home as “Radish”, in the Millstreet CCI3*-S in Ireland on 25 August, when she “felt something go” at fence five, the first water combination.

“I jumped in and I thought maybe I’d just lost my stirrup. I jumped the fence out and went to try and recover it, and no joy,” she told H&H.

“I wasn’t entirely sure what was going on so I jumped the next fence, but then I realised pretty quickly after that it had snapped in half and there was nothing to put my foot on. I thought ‘I’ve come all this way and I’m not pulling up’.

“The next fence was the Irish bank and there was a skinny triple brush three strides after. That was the only time I thought I’d best do the alternative route because when he jumped off the bank I was balancing on my right leg and I thought it’s not very fair on a green seven-year-old to try to aim at a triple brush when I’m balancing on one side. Other than that he was super and popped round.”

Aoife, who said the stirrups were a “bit older”, completed the course clear – but picked up some time faults to finish the competition 38th.

“Annoyingly, I was fifth going into the cross-country but I had to go a bit steadier after that. He’s a young horse and jumped double clear at his first CCI3* so I was really happy with him. I’m sure there were parts of it he must have thought ‘What the hell is she doing?’,” said Aoife.

“I’ve no idea how Toddy went round Badminton with one stirrup [in 1995], because it’s bloody hard work! It was quite funny because I hadn’t realised people had noticed I was missing a stirrup, I was just focusing on getting round and not making a mess of it. By the time I got the last water I had people cheering me on to get home which was really nice, so it was a bit of a laugh by the end of it. New stirrups needed now!”

You might also be interested in:

#TBT: when Mark Todd rode around Badminton with one stirrup

We’ve dug into the archives to remember one of Mark Todd’s hairier Badminton cross-country rounds...

Who needs stirrups anyway? Jockey defies broken ‘iron’ five fences from home to win

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Eventer Aoife Clark came third in her first event since she gave birth to her son – less than two weeks later.

The Irish rider welcomed Patrick Finley Clark to the world on 4 May, then on Monday (20 May) rode Fernhill Adventure to third place in the open intermediate at Tweseldown.

She also rode Celus D Ermac Z hors concours in the novice, jumping clear showjumping and across country to add just four time-penalties to her dressage score.

“They were ready to run – Lucy Jackson’s ridden them at a few competitions and did a fab job, she’s ridden them beautifully, it was just a case of how I felt, and I felt fine,” Aoife told H&H.

“I really enjoyed it, it wasn’t as if I was pushing myself to do it; it was fun.

“It was lovely to have the little man there too. He slept through the whole thing but that’s fine, I won’t complain about that! There will be many more events for him.”

Aoife said she had made no firm plans for this season, as she had not known how soon she would be back on form, but she intends to ride Fernhill Adventure in the CCI4*-S (previously CIC3*) at Bramham (6 to 9 June).

Continues below…

Irish trio receive late call-up for World Equestrian Games

There have been some last-minute changes to the Irish squad ahead of this month’s World Equestrian Games

British Olympic gold medallist welcomes baby girl

The rider said she is ‘delighted and blessed to welcome another little chestnut lady into the world’

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

“Lucy did a fab job getting a few runs into the horses so they’re fit and ready to go,” she said. “I’d love to have a shot at the Europeans this year – Fernhill Adventure won’t have done any long-format events this season but he’s experienced and we were selected for the World Equestrian Games last year; it was only my head injury that meant we didn’t go.

“I’d love to do the Europeans, and [Celus D Ermac Z] is a really smart eight-year-old who I’d like to do Blenheim with. He’s top-notch so we’ve got some good things to look forward to.

“I didn’t make any firm plans but seem to have bounced back pretty quickly.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Irish Olympic event rider Aoife Clark will miss the start of the competition season because she is pregnant with her first child.

Aoife, 37, who lives in Oxfordshire with her husband Simon, is due to give birth at the end of April.

She said: “It will certainly be a new type of challenge, but one we are delighted about. I’ve been keeping myself very fit and, all being well, hope to be competing at Bramham in June.”

Aoife finished seventh individually at the London 2012 Olympics, and won the CCI3*s (now CCI4*-L) at Blenheim in 2013 and Bramham in 2014. She has twice finished eighth at Badminton – in 2013 aboard her Olympic ride Master Crusoe, and in 2015 with Vaguely North.

She was selected for the Irish squad for the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, USA, with Richard Last’s Fernhill Adventure, but was ruled out after injuring herself in a fall at Millstreet in August.

Aoife said: “This game is full of highs and lows and missing the Games last year was particularly tough, especially as my form with Fernhill Adventure had felt spot-on, and it was such a strong team to be a part of. It was so hard for his owners and it felt really cruel, but these things do happen.

“I’m pretty good at picking myself back up and this is a different kind of high to be looking forward to. I have a very strong team of horses at the moment and I’m really hoping to get back in time to have a crack at the Europeans in Luhmühlen in August, and am certainly aiming at Tokyo next year.

Continues below…

Eventer completes Blenheim ERM with broken neck

The rider thought the pain and numbness she had been feeling since a fall at Millstreet were due to a

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Hovis’ Friday diary: ‘despite Darwin’s theory of evolution, dumb things can and do survive’

Hovis is shocked and appalled by a recent revelation

“I had wanted to keep my pregnancy quiet for as long as possible so I could carry on as normal, and will continue to ride unless I feel I don’t want to. People are a bit surprised now when I tell them I’m due in April, but winter is quite handy for hiding these things with big coats and lots of layers!”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Three Irish riders have received last-minute call ups to the World Equestrian Games.

Shane Breen and Ipswich Van De Wolfsakker have been drafted onto the Irish showjumping team to replace Darragh Kenny and Babalou 41.

The 13-year-old mare, owned by Jack Synder, underwent colic surgery on Friday (31 August) and is reportedly doing well.

Michael Duffy and EFS Top Contender have been chosen as the travelling reserves and will travel to Tryon with the Irish squad next week.

“On Friday we learned of the problem with Darragh Kenny’s Babalou,” said team manager Rodrigo Pessoa.

“This is very unfortunate as Darragh is a very solid team member. The mare has undergone surgery and is now back in rehab and we wish them all the best in their recovery.

“Shane Breen comes into the team with Ipswich. They have been in really good form this year, winning the five-star Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Monaco and were fourth very recently in a five-star Grand Prix at Valence in France. Shane is a very experienced rider and will be a valuable member of the team.

“We have chosen Michael Duffy as fifth man with EFS Top Contender. They were on the Nations Cup team in Gijon this weekend, jumping double clear with just a time fault and we feel Michael is a very valid fifth member of the squad.

“He will also be a key man on the ground which is very important for the stability of the group.

“We are going to Tryon with the clear objective of punching our ticket to Tokyo and the Olympic team qualification which has eluded us for many years.

“Now that we are European Champions, why not dream big and aim for a medal as well. We are really looking forward to a tough competition but we believe we have a great chance.”

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

A man famed for his freestyles to riders making history: 9 pairs to watch in Tryon

H&H’s dressage editor selects nine combinations you won't want to miss seeing in action in Tryon

British showjumping squad hungry for World Equestrian Games success

The team due to represent Britain in Tryon has been announced

Surprise omission from British World Equestrian Games eventing team

A strong team will be carrying British hopes in Tryon, although fans may be surprised by one name missing from

This follows Friday’s news that Patricia Ryan and Dunrath Eclipse will replace injured Aoife Clark, who had been selected aboard Fernhill Adventure.

Aoife hit her head in a cross-country fall when Master Rory tripped on landing during the CCI3* at Millstreet on 25 August.

“Sadly for Aoife Clark, she has been ruled out through injury. This is most unfortunate for Aoife after producing a very good preparation run with her World Equestrian Games horse, Fernhill Adventure, when finishing sixth in the CIC3* in Hartpury,” said Irish eventing team manager Sally Corscadden.

“Tim Bourke was named first reserve but his horse has picked up a viral infection, so is also out of contention. The second reserve Patricia Ryan and Dunrath Eclipse will now travel as an individual and Patricia joined the team for final training in the UK before departure for Tryon.

“Patricia had a very good individual result at Luhmulhen CCI4* in June this year and we wish her the best of luck.”

The teams are now as follows:

Showjumping

Shane Breen with Ipswich Van De Wolfsakker – owned by Breen Equestrian, Jos Lansink Horses & Konstantin Pysarenko

Cian O’Connor with Good Luck – owned by Adena Springs & Ronnoco Jump Ltd

Paul O’Shea with Skara Glen’s Machu Picchu – owned by Skara Glen Stables, Whipstick Farm, P. Hurter & P. Agnew

Shane Sweetnam with Chaqui Z – owned by Spy Coast Farm LLC

First reserve: Michael Duffy with EFS Top Contender – owned by Graham Dalton & Ben Dalton

Eventing

Padraig McCarthy with Mr Chunky – owned by Christopher & Sarita Perkins, Huw Lloyd and Lucy Wiegersma

Cathal Daniels with Rioghan Rua (ISH) – owned by Margaret Kinsella

Sarah Ennis with Horseware Stellor Rebound (ISH) – owned by Horseware Products Ltd, Niki Potterton & Orla Ennis

Sam Watson and Horseware Ardagh Highlight (ISH) – owned by Belinda Keir

First reserve & individual: Patricia Ryan with Dunrath Eclipse (ISH) – owned by Tom & Carol Henry

The 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games start on 11 September, with the showjumping competition running from 19 to 23 September and the eventing from 13 to 16 September.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The Irish eventing squad for the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Tryon, USA, in September has been named:

• Padraig McCarthy with Mr Chunky, owned by Christopher and Sarita Perkins, Huw Lloyd and Padraig’s wife Lucy Wiegersma
• Aoife Clark with Fernhill Adventure, owned by Richard Last and his rider
• Cathal Daniels with Rioghan Rua, owned by Margaret Kinsella
• Sarah Ennis with Horseware Stellor Rebound, owned by Horseware Products Ltd, Niki Potterton and Orla Ennis
• Sam Watson and Horseware Ardagh Highlight, owned by Belinda Keir

Five reserves have also been named in the following order:

First: Tim Bourke with Luckaun Quality

Second: Patricia Ryan with Dunrath Eclipse

Third: Joseph Murphy with Sportsfield Othello

Fourth: Ciaran Glynn with November Night

Fifth: Clare Abbott with Euro Prince

All combinations are required to maintain their current form and soundness to remain on the squad for the championships.

Team manager Sally Corscadden said: “It is very exciting to be travelling with a squad that has achieved competitive individual performances at four-star and championship level. Our job is to progress this into a competitive team result and a qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Our eventing squads have consistently produced top class results at a broad range of three and four-star internationals this spring, including a podium finish in the Nations Cup at Houghton Hall, and three riders finishing in the top 10 at four-star level.

“It has been the most successful start to the year for Team Ireland on the competition front, however the thoughts and prayers of all the team remain with Jonty Evans following his fall. He is always in our thoughts and we will definitely be ‘wearing green for Jonty’.”

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

8 things we learnt at a scorching Barbury — tack malfunctions, #WearGreenForJonty and dressage eliminations

It was a glorious weekend of sunshine and sport at Barbury Horse Trials. Here are eight things we learnt at

Horse who won nine medals steps down a level: ‘Championships are exhausting’

The horse has won medals at Olympics, the World Equestrian Games and European Championships and will continue to compete at

Long-list for British eventing team for World Equestrian Games released

The senior selectors have given the first indication of who might make the British eventing team for WEG in Tryon,

Sally added: “We would like to thank our coaches, the squad members, their owners and supporters for all their hard work behind the scenes. We would also like to thank everyone who supported us at our fundraising demo nights and race and also all our Team Ireland Equestrian sponsors. It is a huge benefit to be able to send the team with the proper training, support and preparations in place to help them to perform to the best of their ability and make Ireland proud.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Irish four-star eventer Aoife Clark has paid tribute to her rising star Wasting Light, a yard favourite who was an “absolute machine” across country.

The 10-year-old was put down after an inoperable foot condition took a turn for the worse.

The chestnut gelding with a “big white blaze and cheeky face” had been with Aoife since he was four.

Owned by Cressida Legge and John Forde, “Archie” was “quick, sharp and very intelligent”.

“He was a lovely blood type by Ghareeb,” Aoife told H&H. “I really liked his attitude and everything about him.

“Cross-country he was an absolute machine — snaffle mouthed but so fit and could gallop all day. He absolutely loved it.

“He wasn’t the biggest movers, but he always really tried in dressage; I just loved riding him.”

Aoife’s highlights with Archie included being placed sixth at Blenheim in the CCI3* for eight- and nine-year olds and second in Ravenna’s CCI3* in 2015.

“He had the fastest cross-country time [at Ravenna] and just made it so easy,” said Aoife.

The pair also secured team bronze for Ireland in the Nations Cup at Aachen last year.

“I had an amazing ride at Aachen,” said Aoife. “It was one of the fastest times, he just flew around.

“He was so much fun to ride, just the type you want going up the levels. I’m very sad he didn’t get the chance to go up to four-star.

“It’s really tough, the hardest part of the sport.”

Continued below…

Aoife Clark wins Blenheim Horse Trials 2013

Irish eyes are smiling at the Fidelity Blenheim International Horse Trials as Aoife Clark claims her first senior 3-day-event win

Aoife Clark plays fairy godmother to ill teen

Irish Olympic eventer Aoife Clark made a seriously ill teenager’s wish come true last month by giving her a jumping

Eventer completes Blenheim ERM with broken neck

The rider thought the pain and numbness she had been feeling since a fall at Millstreet were due to a

Aoife added that Archie was a yard favourite and always up to tricks.

“He was a real character and very funny,” she said. “He would be in the tack room looking for polos. Everyone who looked after him absolutely loved him.

“He made a lasting impression and will be hugely missed.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Oliver Townend’s 2015 European Championships ride Fenyas Elegance is to be retired to stud after collecting a departing win at Ballindenisk’s CIC3* (14-18 September).

The 12-year-old mare’s owner-breeder, Irishman PJ Hegarty, said the home victory had presented the ideal opportunity for her to go out on a high.

“We hadn’t precisely planned her retirement until she had actually won, as we weren’t too sure if we were looking at Pau or Boekelo towards the back end of the season,” he said.

“It’s not often with event horses that you can plan their retirement or have them go out on a winning note like this. She’s had a fantastic career eventing, we wanted her to retire sound and we’ve achieved all of those things.”

A daughter of Ricardo Z out of the Hegartys’ Good Thyne mare Fenya, “Ellie” began her career with a superb track record in the show ring, taking champion filly foal titles at both Dublin and All Ireland.

In her eventing career she collected wins at Blenheim and Bramham CCI3*s with Ireland’s Aoife Clark before the ride passed on to Oliver Townend in May 2015.

 They launched their partnership with a third at Saumur CCI3*, and finished 17th at the European Championships at Blair.

Ellie was the first event horse PJ has campaigned to a serious level as his primary interest remains in breeding.

“She took us to the top. It was a fantastic introduction, we’ve got to know England and made many new friends,” he said.

“Gatcombe was one event we thoroughly enjoyed and we had the honour of meeting the Princess Royal there on a couple of occasions.”

Related articles:

• Oliver Townend takes over ride on Fenyas Elegance
• Eventer completes Blenheim ERM with broken neck
• Oliver Townend reveals 2016 was Armada’s last Badminton

 Breeding from the mare has always been in the pipeline, and initial attempts were made in May this year.

“With her training she wasn’t cycling properly and it wasn’t working out so we forgot about it,” PJ said, adding that while they hadn’t yet chosen a stallion for her for 2017, it would be “something blood, proven and with high performance”.

The Hegartys still have Ellie’s dam Fenya at their county Cork stud, as well as a six-year-old full brother who is likely to start eventing next year.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Aoife Clark will not be riding on the Irish squad at next week’s Longines FEI European Eventing Championships at Blair (10-13 September).

“I am hugely disappointed to say that we have had to withdraw ‘Jimmy’ from the Europeans at Blair,” she wrote on her website this evening. “He has picked up a bang to a joint in training which looks like it will need a couple of weeks rather than a few days to settle properly.

“Thankfully it is nothing serious and all scans and X-rays are clear, but we cannot risk him carrying a knock into a team championships because of the potential for serious injury, and also the risk to the team.

“I am devastated for his owner Henrietta [Duchess of Bedford] who had so generously made him available for Blair, and was very much looking forward to it. His performance at Badminton [the pair were eighth] showed that he has been in the form of his life this year and I had hoped Blair would really play to his strengths.

“I would like to aim him at Pau CCI4* in October, and I hope to have him back to full work in a couple of weeks. I wish the rest of the team the very best of luck, though I am gutted not to be there with them!”

Irish eventing high performance manager Nick Turner said: “It has been a difficult decision to make but as the championships are due to start Wednesday of next week I felt there was not enough time to give Vaguely North the time he needs without missing out on valuable training in the days leading up to the event.”

Aoife’s place will be taken by Joseph Murphy and Sportsfield Othello, who have withdrawn from the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials after doing their dressage today. The pair scored 47 for 28th place.

“I would like to thank Jill Murphy [Joseph’s wife], Alison Schmutz and Andrew Tinkler, the owners of Sportsfield Othello, for making him available for the championships,” added Nick.

The news will be a blow for Irish hopes for Blair as Aoife and the 15-year-old Vaguely North were one of Ireland’s strongest pairs.

Joseph will join Padraig McCarthy (Simon Porloe), Austin O’Connor (Balham Houdini II), Michael Ryan (Ballylynch Adventure), Camilla Speirs (Portersize Just A Jiff) and Sam Watson (Horseware Lukeswell) on the Irish squad.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Irish rider Aoife Clark has given up the ride on the double CCI3* winner Fenyas Elegance.

The 11-year-old chestnut mare by Ricardo Z was entered for the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials next month (7-10 May), but has now been withdrawn.

“It was a big decision to withdraw Ellie from Badminton and send her back to her owner-breeder, PJ Hegarty,” said Aoife. “She is an incredible mare and has given me the two biggest wins of my career at Blenheim and Bramham.

“She is an alpha female, though, and has always found dressage the difficult phase. At three-star level I found a way of making it more comfortable and easier for her, but moving up a level she was finding the intensity of the higher-level work increasingly difficult and I don’t want to put that pressure on her and don’t feel she deserves it.

“I wish PJ the best of luck in the future and huge thanks to him for the opportunity to ride her.”

Fenyas Elegance was bred by PJ Hegarty in Co. Cork out of the Good Thyne mare Fenya, who was the champion hunter mare at Dublin as a four- and five-year-old before showjumping to grade B level.

Fenyas Elegance was champion foal at Dublin and champion mare there as a four-year-old, also winning the Future Event Horse League final that year. She was competed by Fraser Duffy, Joseph Murphy and Brian Morrison, finishing in the top 10 at two-star three times with Brian. The mare joined Aoife for the 2013 season as PJ thought there would be more opportunities for her to go advanced in Britain than in Ireland.

The pair were second in the CIC3* at Chatsworth that year and won Blenheim CCI3*. The following June they took top spot at Bramham CCI3*, before Fenyas Elegance made her four-star debut at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy. She finished 21st despite a disappointing dressage test which scored 63.5.

This spring Fenyas Elegance had two open intermediate runs before the CIC3* at Burnham Market, where again she showed her tricky side and scored 66.2, before being withdrawn.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Enjoy the H&H team’s top tweets from the equestrian twitterverse this week.

The week on twitter

It’s great to see Paul’s daughter is sporting the famous ‘Tapner red’ away from the eventing scene

Clever Smokey indeed. Francis Whittington deservedly soaking up his victory at Blenheim Horse Trials

It looks like event rider Georgie Strang’s boyfriend has got some shopping to do after she finished 8th Blenheim Horse Trials with Cooley Business Time

Nicky Roncoroni’s dog doing his best to remain inconspicuous

Keeping with the dog theme, Aoife Clark’s dog stages a silent protest at the sight of the lorry being packed for another three-day event

Lara Griffith and her boss Olympic dressage rider Laura Tomlinson’s Rubin Al Asad claim victory at the national dressage championships

The sport gene has obviously rubbed off on the eldest daughter of ex-premiership footballer Michael Owen

And finally, kudos to multi-gold medal-winning para dressage rider Natasha Baker for throwing herself out of a plane all in the name of charity

If you like this, why not follow @horseandhound on twitter today?

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Two riders have been reprimanded by the FEI for their riding during the cross-country at Burghley Horse Trials earlier this month (6 September).

New Zealand’s Megan Heath (pictured above) has been handed a yellow card for abuse of the horse due to excessive use of the whip on St Daniel. Megan had two refusals at fence four — the Lord Burghley Hurdles in the main arena — and was then eliminated for a third refusal at the seventh fence.

Megan moved to the UK to pursue her career back in 2005 and juggles a city job in London with competing.

Aoife Clark has been given a verbal warning for dangerous and inappropriate riding on Vaguely North.

Aoife survived a hairy moment on her return through the Discovery Valley before having a glance off at the Rolex Combination. The combination then fell at the Stamford crossing.

Aoife also recieved a verbal warning for dangerous/irresponsible riding aboard Fenyas Elegance at the World Equestrian Games (29 August).

The FEI yellow card system has been under scrutiny this year after Mary King served a three-month ban for receiving two yellow cards for the same offence within a six-month period. Mary’s fans set up an online petition to try and have the ban removed.

Last month it also emerged that a 7hh miniature pony had been at the centre of a yellow card dispute. America’s Katie Frei was given the card after her horse’s travelling companion “Spartacus” escaped at an event in Kalispell, Montana.

This news story was first published in H&H magazine on 11 September 2014

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Two eventers have been yellow carded for their riding during the cross-county phase at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (29 August).

Canada’s Hawley Bennett-Awad (pictured top) and Sweden’s Anna Hilton were both handed yellow cards for “dangerous riding”.

Anna’s ride Matrix fell at the final water complex and she has been given her card for “causing a horse fall”.

Hawley was carded for continuing after three refusals.

New Zealand’s Tim Price and Ireland’s Aoife Clark both received verbal warnings by the FEI.

Tim, was rebuked for abuse of horse/riding a tired horse. He was pulled up, with his Luhmühlen-winning ride Wesko, by the ground jury before the finish.

Tim’s bad week continued when he was tipped off at the fourth fence at Burghley last weekend (6 September) when Ringwood Sky Boy left a leg at the Lord Burghley Hurdles in the main arena.

Ireland’s Aoife Clark was told off for dangerous/irresponsible riding aboard Fenyas Elegance in Normandy. Aoife fell from her Burghley ride Vaguely North at the Stamford Station fence on Saturday.

None of the riders involved have been reprimanded by the FEI in the past six months so there will be no further repercussions.

The FEI yellow card system has been under scrutiny this year after Mary King served a three-month ban for receiving two yellow cards for the same offence within a six-month period. Mary’s fans set up an online petition to try and have the ban removed.

Last month it also emerged that a 7hh miniature pony had been at the centre of a yellow card dispute. America’s Katie Frei was given the card after her horse’s travelling companion “Spartacus” escaped at an event in Kalispell, Montana.

First published in Horse & Hound magazine on Thursday 11 September

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The goal all the way (at the World Equestrian Games – WEG) was Olympic qualification and I’m delighted. Every little thing didn’t go to plan, but the riders rose above it. They knew that whatever happened, they needed to deliver.

The riders all set out across country with massive determination and I’m immensely proud of them, even [individual] Clare Abbott who didn’t finish.

There was a moment of unrest when Sam had his showjumping stop, but he gritted his teeth and showed professionalism to get home.

I had a great team behind me — the grooms and owners, dressage trainer Terry Boon, showjumping trainer Ian Fearon, vet Hugh Suffern and farrier Nigel Perrott, who makes sure everyone’s got what they need.

This means we can plan for our up-and-coming horses and riders for the next two years, knowing we don’t have to chase FEI points or push young horses before they’re ready.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Germany holds team and individual gold at the close of the eventing dressage at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Sandra Auffarth leads individually with her multi-medallist Opgun Louvo (above), after scoring 35.2. She scored a 10 from Gillian Rolton at C for her final centreline and halt.

“I know he can do a very good test, but I also knew it was a difficult arena and atmosphere and that going last could be tricky, with being left alone in the warm-up,” she said. “He was a bit affected by it, but it gave him a bit more pizzazz.”

Sandra is 2.3pen ahead of William Fox-Pitt (Chilli Morning), who led last night and now holds the silver position. New Zealand’s Jock Paget, who rode this morning, lies third.

Harry Meade was Britain’s final team member this afternoon (right) and, as expected, he is the drop score after this phase. His mark of 56.3 puts him 59th. Charlotte Opperman’s Wild Lone was a little fidgety in his mouth in the trotwork, but settled in canter for some good work.

“He’s notoriously difficult in the dressage and the atmosphere is quite close in there with the grandstands being so near — that rather got to him,” said Harry. “But there were no disasters and in the circumstances it was as good as we could have hoped for with him being a bit fractious.”

Ireland’s disappointment

Perhaps the biggest disappointment of the two days of dressage was for Aoife Clark, who should have been Ireland’s strongest performer, but had a horrible time today with the Blenheim and Bramham winner Fenyas Elegance. She is 83rd on 63.5 with her problems including an unscheduled extra rein-back at the end of the walk.

“She was lovely outside, but when the clap went up for the rider before she just didn’t know what to do with herself,” said Aoife. “She got extremely tense and there wasn’t time to settle her.”

To a lesser extent, New Zealand’s final rider Andrew Nicholson also had issues with a couple of mistakes in his canterwork with Nereo, but was not too upset with 45.3 for 13th.

“His trotwork was probably the best he’s done to be up with the leaders and he got over his mistakes each time,” said Andrew. “He’s a big horse to make elegant.”

The other big drama in the final rotation of team riders was the withdrawal of Italy’s star combination, Vittoria Panizzon and Borough Pennyz.

Just 8sec from bronze

New Zealand lies second to Germany in the team standings, with the USA holding the bronze position. Britain is in fifth, 25.1pen behind Germany, but just 3.2pen off the bronze — the equivalent of just 8sec of time-penalties on the cross-country.

No one expects this World Championship to be decided on the dressage with Pierre Michelet’s cross-country course in the mix. Two fences have been taken out of the track because of the soft ground and the route shortened to the tune of 58sec being taken off the original 11min 30sec optimum time (subject to confirmation).

Andrew Nicholson said: “They’ve taken one hill out, which will be a big help, and that hill had a lot of soft patches. There was quite a sizey jump [fence 23] on it too, which would have been difficult to jump on soft ground. The other fence [20] was in a bit of a bog so it’s good that’s been taken out.”

Other riders warned that the changes may not actually make a lot of difference.

“In some ways it could be more difficult as they’ve taken out a galloping stretch, so it makes it more intense,” said Jock.

More updates from the eventing at WEG over the weekend. Full report in the magazine out next Thursday, 4 September.

Individual placings after dressage

1. Sandra Auffarth on Opgun Louvo (GER) 35.2

2. William Fox-Pitt on Chilli Morning (GBR) 37.5

3. Jock Paget on Clifton Promise (NZL) 38

Other British placings

16. Nicola Wilson on Annie Clover (GBR, individual) 46

21. Oliver Townend on Black Tie II (GBR, individual) 47.2

34. Tina Cook on De Novo News (GBR, team) 50

53. Zara Phillips on High Kingdom (GBR, team) 54.5

59. Harry Meade on Wild Lone (GBR, team) 56.3

Team placings after dressage

1. Germany 116.9

2. New Zealand 125.5

3. USA 138.8

4. France 139.9

5. Britain 142

6. The Netherlands 142.8

Full results

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

William Fox-Pitt added yet another Gatcombe title to his impressive collection when he won the Martin Collins British Novice Championships this afternoon at the Festival of British Eventing, presented by BETA.

His mount was Top Biats, a seven-year-old owned by Judith and Jeremy Skinner and David and Margie Hall. The pair led the dressage on 23.3 and added just six time-penalties across country.

“I knew I had a cushion and didn’t need to push him for the time,” said William.

Dutch rider Andrew Heffernan took second on Wendy Penny’s Lawless Lil.

“I’m not surprised to be in top three, but I certainly didn’t come here expecting it as she has only just qualified and has only done one intermediate,” said Andrew.

Sharon Hunt claimed third with Loughnatousa Fabio, owned by her parents Janice and Terry, as well as David and Sue Howard.

“He’s really competitive — he moves, jumps and is scopey. I can’t fault the horse,” said Sharon.

Advanced section

Aoife Clark took the Equex China advanced section on PJ Hegarty’s Fenyas Elegance. The 10-year-old chestnut mare won last year’s Blenheim and this year’s Bramham CCI3*s and heads to the World Equestrian Games (WEG) with the Irish team.

“She was eighth here last year in the British Open, so I know it suits her, which is why I came as a prep run,” said Aoife. “And the timing is good — it’s close enough to WEG to keep their minds on the job but there is time for them to recover as the hills can be quite taxing.”

Nicola Wilson rode Jo and James Lambert’s Watermill Vision into second, with Tina Cook third on her World Equestrian Games horse, Jim Chromiak’s De Novo News.

Australia’s Sam Griffiths leads the British Intermediate Championships after dressage on Favorit Z. Francis Whittington holds top spot in the Open with Easy Target. These classes conclude tomorrow with the showjumping and cross-country phases.

Gatcombe results

Log back on tomorrow for a report on the British Open and Intermediate Championships and buy H&H on Thursday (7 August) for a full report.

Picture by Stephen Sparkes

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Aoife Clark took the Equi-Trek CCI3* at Bramham Horse Trials this afternoon on Fenyas Elegance, who also won Blenheim last year.

The Irish rider lay 2nd overnight on PJ Hegarty’s home-bred mare, but showjumped clear to put pressure on leader Izzy Taylor.

When Izzy and Orlando, owned by Di Davies, Irene Graham and Anita Dalton, had the 1st part of the double at fence 4 down, she dropped to 2nd and victory fell to Aoife.

“I hoped she’d jump well — she finished full of running yesterday and she’s normally reliable in the showjumping,” said Aoife. “But I know Izzy and Orlando very rarely have a rail, so I didn’t expect to end up in top spot.”

Izzy said: “He doesn’t love that holding, tacky ground and it caught him out at that fence, but he kept trying and that was great.”

William Fox-Pitt, riding Lady Best and Jane Keir’s Freddie Mac, rose from 7th overnight to take 3rd with a clear round.

“I couldn’t be happier with him — this was a big step up for him, he didn’t put a foot wrong and he’ll have learnt a lot so I’m excited about his future,” said William.

Nicola Wilson’s clear lifted her from 8th to 4th with Annie Clover.

Third-placed Jodie Amos and Wise Crack had fence 10 down to drop to 5th, while Belgium’s Karin Donckers’ clear on Lamicell Unique brought her up from 9th to 6th.

Nicola and Mark Kyle (Coolio, 8th) were the only riders to finish on their dressage scores.

Aoife’s other ride, Vaguely North, was tired in the showjumping after yesterday’s exertions and his 3 down dropped him from 4th to 12th.

Full results from Bramham

Under-25 showjumping report

Full report on Bramham in H&H this Thursday, 12 June.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Aoife Clark has cemented her position as a top event rider by winning her first senior 3-day-event, the Fidelity Blenheim International Horse Trials.

The Irish 32-year-old showjumped clear on Fenyas Elegance to hold her cross-country lead of 1.5pen over Frenchman Jean Teulere.

“This means a huge amount. She’s been a star this week, and is at just the right age to be looking at the World Equestrian Games and Rio [2016 Olympic Games],” said Aoife.

The 9-year-old chestnut mare, owned and bred by PJ Hegarty, added just 4 cross-country time-faults to her dressage score of 40 throughout the weekend.

Jean Teulere is aiming for another slot on the French team next year with Matelot Du Grand Val, who showjumped clear for 2nd place.

And America’s Clark Montgomery, also clear for 3rd place with Loughan Glen, is another with the world championships in France next year in his sights.

“I’m really happy with him — we just need to get a little bit better!” said Clark, who is based at Christian Landolt’s Tetbury yard.

The highest placed British rider is Gemma Tattersall, 4th on Arctic Soul. The pair were also the only ones to come home inside the time allowed on the cross-country, rising from 22nd place after dressage. They had a single pole down in the final phase.

She was followed home by Richard Jones and Highland Ford, who also brushed one pole for 5th place.

William Fox-Pitt held on to his lead in the 8/9yo CIC*** on Fernhill Pimms, really putting his foot down in the final cross-country phase to come home 1sec over the time.

Dressage leaders Christopher Burton and Graf Liberty had dropped to 2nd with a showjump down, but were the only pair of the class to make the time across country and retained that position.

Cross-country time-penalties decided the placings in this class, with Mark Todd and Leonidas II rising from 5th to 3rd with 2 time-faults.

Bill Levett and Improvise came up from 6th to 4th, while Paul Tapner and Indian Mill made amends for 2 showjumps down with a speedy cross-country for 1.2 time-faults and 5th place.

Read full magazine report from Fidelity Blenheim International Horse Trials in Horse & Hound, on sale Thursday 19 September

Blenheim Horse Trials final results CCI***

1. Fenyas Elegance (Aoife Clark, IRE) 44

2. Matelot Du Grand Val (Jean Teulere, FRA) 45.5

3. Loughan Glen (Clark Montgomery, USA) 45.5

4. Arctic Soul (Gemma Tattersall, GBR) 52.5

5. Highland Ford (Richard Jones, GBR) 53.8

6. Faerie Dianimo (Jonelle Richards, NZL) 58.6

7. Grand Manoeuvre (Nick Gauntlett, GBR) 61.8

8. Gryffindor (Kai Ruder, GER) 63.3

9. Xam (Harry Dzenis, GBR) 66.1

10. Pavarotti (Jessica Phoenix, CAN) 69.7

Blenheim Horse Trials final result 8/9yo CIC***

1. Fernhill Pimms (William Fox-Pitt, GBR) 33.5

2. Graf Liberty (Christopher Burton, AUS) 36.9

3. Leonidas II (Mark Todd, NZL) 44

4. Improvise (Bill Levett, AUS) 45.7

5. Indian Mill (Paul Tapner, AUS) 46.9

6. Amazing VIII (Flora Harris, GBR) 49

7. Belcam Bear (Emma Dougall, AUS) 49.8

8. Fernhill Quality Street (Kevin McNab, AUS) 51.2

9. Zebedee De Foja (Olivia Wilmot, GBR) 57.1

10. Stonedge (Nicky Roncoroni, GBR) 57.2

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Aoife Clark is in the lead at the Fidelity Blenheim Horse Trials after an eventful day of CCI3* cross-country. 2nd after dressage on the 9-year-old chestnut mare Fenyas Elegance, Aoife added 4 time-penalties to her score of 40.

The Irish rider has just 1.5pen in hand over Jean Teulere and Matelot Du Grand Val. The 59-year-old Frenchman — world champion in 2002 — was the 2nd fastest of the day across country with 2.4 time-faults and rose from 4th after dressage to 2nd overnight.

America’s Clark Montgomery holds on to his 3rd place with Loughan Glen after collecting 2.8 time-faults. He and Jean Teulere both sit on a score of 45.5, but Jean was 1sec closer to the optimum time of 10min 10sec.

The highest placed British rider is Gemma Tattersall, 4th on Arctic Soul. The pair were also the only ones to come home inside the time allowed on the cross-country, rising from 22nd place after dressage.

The dressage leaders, Sarah Bullimore and Lilly Corinne, had an unfortunate run-out at 21b, the skinny triple brush out of the Ariat Dewpond.

And re-routing after an early retirement on the cross-country at Burghley last weekend worked out for Richard Jones and Highland Ford, who are 5h at this stage.

New Zealand husband-and-wife team Jonelle Richards and Tim Price take the next 2 places on Faerie Dianimo and Ringwood Sky Boy.

Brits fill the next 3 places in the top 10 — Lucie McNichol is 8th on Zeus Of Rushall, up from equal 30th after dressage, Rodney Powell is 9th on Happy Go Lucky and Nick Gauntlett is 10th with Grand Manoeuvre.

Eric Winter’s cross-country course caused multiple run-outs in a variety of places. The most influential combination was the double of narrow brush corners at 5ab (pictured right), which caught out the likes of Caroline Powell, Charlotte Agnew, Oliver Townend and Julie Tew, among others. Just 32 of the 83 competitors jumped clear.

Willliam Fox-Pitt had a day to forget. He fell towards the end of the course on Before Time and retired Running Order after 2 stops going into the water at fence 12. And, despite showjumping clear on Freddie Mac in the CIC3*, he was eliminated by the ground jury for falling foul of the FEI rule governing what sort of hind boots young horses may wear — as was Sam Griffiths (Favourit Z).

But William is still in the lead in the CIC3* on his other ride, Fernhill Pimms, who also showjumped clear and stayed on his dressage mark of 33.1pen. He overtook dressage leader Christopher Burton, who had one down on Graf Liberty and goes into Sunday’s cross-country in 2nd position.

Emma Dougall is in 3rd in the CIC3* on Belcam Bear, while Flora Harris has risen to 4th with Amazing VIII, one place ahead of Mark Todd and Leonidas II.

Blenheim Horse Trials results after cross-country: CCI3*

1. Fenyas Elegance (Aoife Clark, IRE) 44

2. Matelot Du Grand Val (Jean Teulere, FRA) 45.5

3. Loughan Glen (Clark Montgomery, USA) 45.5

4. Arctic Soul (Gemma Tattersall, GBR) 48.5

5. Highland Ford (Richard Jones, GBR) 49.8

6. Faerie Dianimo (Jonelle Richards, NZL) 54.6

7. Ringwood Sky Boy (Tim Price, NZL) 55.2

8. Zeus Of Rushall (Lucie McNichol, GBR) 57.6

9. Happy Go Lucky (Rodney Powell, GBR) 57.7

10. Grand Manoeuvre (Nick Gauntlett, GBR) 57.8

Blenheim Horse Trials results after cross-country: 8/9 year old CIC3*

1. Fernhill Pimms (William Fox-Pitt, GBR) 33.1

2. Graf Liberty (Christopher Burton, AUS) 36.9

3. Belcam Bear (Emma Dougall, AUS) 39.4

4. Amazing VIII (Flora Harris, GBR) 39.8

5. Leonidas II (Mark Todd, NZL) 42

6. Improvise (Bill Levett, AUS) 42.5

7. Zaron (Andrew Nicholson, NZL) 43.8

8. Billy Bounce (Chris King, GBR) 44.6

9. Fernhill Quality Street (Kevin McNab, AUS) 45.6

10. Indian Mill (Paul Tapner, AUS) 45.7

Stay in touch with the latest news from Blenheim on Horseandhound.co.uk and don’t miss Horse & Hound’s full report in the magazine, on sale Thursday 19 September

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Just 2 riders from the Irish eventing team that finished fifth at the London Olympics have been selected for the European Championships (August 29 – 1 September).

Olympic rider Joseph Murphy will join Aoife Clark and Master Crusoe, who finished seventh individually in London, in Malmo, Sweden.

Austin O’Connor, who competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and second reserve for London Sam Watson have also made the squad.

The 6 combinations that have been selected to represent Ireland are:

• Aoife Clark riding the Lily White Syndicate’s Master Crusoe

• Jonty Evans riding Otto van der Wyck’s Double Dutch

• Joseph Murphy riding his wifes, Noel Good, A O’Callaghan and Michelle Nelson’s Electric Cruise or Sportsfield Othello, owned by Jill Andrews and the FFS Syndicate

• Elizabeth Power riding September Bliss, owned by her mother and brother

• Austin O’Connor riding Kate Jarvey’s Ringwood Mississippi

• Sam Watson riding his parents and Tom MacGuinness’ Horseware Bushman

Sara Ennis did not make the cut despite jumping a double clear at Badminton Horse Trials (2–6 May). She has been named first reserve on Miriam Cunning’s Sugar Brown Babe.

Aoife and Master Crusoe were a doubt for the squad as the horse has not been able to run since finishing eighth at Badminton Horse Trials (2-6 May) due to a foot abscess. The selectors are confident that the combination, who finished seventh individually in London, will have a run before and be fit for the championships.

Eventing high performance manager Nick Turner said: “Obviously, I had to make a few difficult phone calls in the last few days but we are working towards World Equestrian Games (WEG) in 2014 and many of those who didn’t make it are very much in my plans for next year.”

Ireland has not won a European medal since Pratoni Del Vivaro in 1995, where the took team bronze and Lucy Thompson won individual gold.

“Our goal going to Malmo is to win a team medal. While I am conscious that Malmo is not an Olympic qualifier, it is still a very important competition,” Nick added.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Irish eventer Aoife Clark made a seriously ill teenager’s wish come true last month by giving her a jumping lesson.

Aoife, who finished seventh individually at the London 2012 Olympic Games, gave Jay Kaye a lesson after being approached by the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

The foundation is a wish-granting charity for children with serious and terminal illnesses.

Jay, who was diagnosed with astrocytoma, a form of brain tumour, in January 2010, wished to have a showjumping lesson with a famous eventer.

“When I’m older, my dream would be to become a champion horse rider,” said the 13-year-old.

Kitted out in new riding gear provided by Starlight, Jay and her mother Kate travelled to Aoife’s base in Oxfordshire to meet her horses and have lunch.

Aoife then gave Jay a lesson at a local riding centre.

“It was the highest I’d ever jumped,” said Jay. “Aoife gave me so much confidence, it was amazing!”

Her mother, Kate, added: “Thank you to Starlight, Aoife and her team – we’ll never forget it. It was the perfect day.”

To refer a child for a wish or make a donation, visit www.starlight.org.uk.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Nick Turner has been named as the new high performance manager for Irish eventing, replacing Ginny Elliot.

Mr Turner, a former event rider and showjumper, managed the Brazilian eventing team from 2008, to 2012.

He is also a Fellow of the British Horse Society and qualified neuro linguistic planning practitioner (NLP), a technique used in sports psychology.

Ginny, who had held the position since 2008, steered the Irish team to fifth place at London 2012. Aoife Clark was seventh individually. Ginny reapplied for the role, but withdrew from the race (news, 24 January), citing new projects.

Mr Turner said he was “delighted” with the appointment.

He added: “I am looking forward to working with the riders to build on their performances to date and on the work done over the past four years.”

Horse Sport Ireland chairman, Joe Walsh, said there had been “many excellent candidates for the role” and that “Nick’s experience and plans for the Irish team really made a big impression”.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Ginny Elliot has withdrawn from the selection process to appoint the next performance manager for Ireland’s senior eventing team, a position she has held since 2008.

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) announced in November that it was holding an open recruitment competition for the job. H&H understands that nine people have applied.

Ginny told H&H: “I had reapplied, but I’ve decided over the past few days to withdraw my application.

“I have spent four years there and feel as though I’ve helped a lot, but am looking for new projects.”

Ireland finished fifth as a team at London 2012, with Aoife Clark seventh individually; results that Ginny said had “exceeded all all targets that were set”.

She added: “I wish eventing in Ireland all the best for the future and I congratulate everyone involved in the huge progress we have made together over the last four years.”

Ginny dominated eventing in the mid-late 1980s, winning a world championships, three European Championships, three Badmintons and five Burghleys — she shared the record for most Burghley wins with Mark Todd and then William Fox-Pitt, until William went on to win the event for a sixth time in 2011.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The eventers representing Ireland at the London Olympics will be:

• Aoife Clark with the Lily White Syndicate’s Master Crusoe
• Mark Kyle with Ronnie Bartlett and his own Coolio (pictured)
• Joseph Murphy with his fianc ©e Jill Andrews, Noel Good and Annette O’Callaghan’s Electric Cruise
• Michael Ryan with Carol and Tom Henry and Sheila Foley’s Ballylynch Adventure
• Camilla Speirs with her own and her mother Bridget’s Portersize Just A Jiff

The first reserve is Capt Geoff Curran with the Minister for Defence’s Shanaclough Crecora and the second reserve is Sam Watson with his parents John and Julia and Tom MacGuinness’s Horseware Bushman.

A shortlist of 11 pairs in the running for the Irish squad was announced after Tattersalls in early June, with the final trial taking place at the St James’s Place Barbury International Horse Trials last weekend. The combinations were selected by Ginny Elliot, Horse Sport Ireland’s eventing high performance manager and a former Olympic medal-winner for Britain.

Apart from Mark Kyle, who rode at the 2004 Games on Drunken Disorderly, all these riders will be making their Olympic debuts.

This will be Aoife’s first senior championship, while Joseph rode at last year’s European Championships and Michael and Camilla both have World Equestrian Games and European Championship experience.

All seven horses are Irish sports horses.

Full report of Barbury in H&H this Thursday (5 July). Read more about the Irish team in our Olympic preview (19 July issue).

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now