Anthony Byrne – Irish U25's National Champion 2009
When did you start riding?
I started when I was about eight. I used to go to the local riding centre on a Saturday with my sister and a few of my cousins. I was terrified at first but I used to pretend I wasn't so they wouldn't tease me, but I got to like it pretty quickly.
What was your first pony called?
It was called misty, a battered old 13.2 mare that a friend of dad's lent us. He said it was 16 but I suspect it was actually closer to 26. I got her when I was about eleven I think, and shared her with my sister. The poor pony got untold hardship.
Any successes you had with him/her?
A few rosettes from mini showjumping at local gymkhanas, nothing major.
Where are you based?
My stables are at my house just outside of Gorey in county Wexford. It's nice there; we have a good arena and some really nice hacking in the woods.
How long have you been doing Dressage?
I started doing it first through pony club eventing. The pony I had at the time was very good at it so when I was 14 we tried pure dressage by going to dressage camp at Marlton stud, we won our first test with 72% . . . I was sold!!
What level do you currently ride at?
Currently I compete at small tour level (which is Prix St. George and Intermediare I) and I school in the Grand Prix movements at home.
How many horses are you currently working with? Tell us a little bit about them...
I only have one horse, Egano S. He's an ex-Grand Prix horse who's been around the block a few times with his owner Ann Marie Dunphy. He's an unbelievable character in the stables, the kind you have to love. He can be a bit lazy and argumentative but I've managed to learn an incredible amount from him. He's going back to Ann Marie very soon though, so I'll be left horseless for a while.
What is your biggest achievement to date?
Representing Ireland at the European young rider championships in Holland this summer. It was such an incredible experience. Unfortunately it didn't go our way, but that's dressage. Winning my first silver spurs meant an incredible amount to me also, so that deserves a mention.
What does this achievement (Irish U25 National Champion) mean to you?
It means a huge amount as it's something I've had my eyes on for a while and it's great when you get to achieve your goals. It was a nice ending to what has been a pretty tough year.
What are your plans for the future?
To keep learning and improving myself, get some nice young horses, and try to make a career out of dressage.
What is your ultimate goal in Dressage?
To be a success at the top-end senior events. Getting to the Olympics would be incredible.
Who is your idol in Dressage & why?
Carl Hester. Everything he has, he made for himself and that's something I really admire. He has a really great business model and his training of young horses is superb.
If you could have any horse on the Dressage circuit which one would it be & why?
Moorlands Totilas, I watched him break the world record at Hickstead this summer and I came out in goosebumps all over. He's like nothing there has ever been before, indescribable.
What/where are you studying?
I'm in my third year of speech and language therapy at Trinity College Dublin. I really enjoy student life but I have to balance it out with plenty of countryside or I start going crazy.
Do you have any other hobbies/interests?
Loads . . . rugby, squash, tennis, golf, shooting, going to the gym, and I love reading when I get the time.
Favourite quote?
"Be the difference" – Ferdi Eilberg.
Any places you would like to visit & why?
I'd love to backpack around South America. It's a brilliantly laid back way to see the world and South America just has so many amazing places.
Any life goals/ambitions outside horses?
Lots of them, a few odd ones too. . . I want to learn to fly a helicopter and I've always wanted to streak at a major sporting event. Apart from that I just want to see as much of the world as I can and have a good time in life.
Tell us a bit about your time with Ferdi Eilberg, and doing the CDI's & the Europeans...
Ferdi's was a great experience and being a working student is the best way to develop your skills and see how the dressage world works. It was hard work at times but it was a lot of fun also, I would definitely recommend it to any young riders who are serious about their dressage.
Doing the CDI shows this year was incredible, I learned a lot from them, about turnout, preparation, performance and the importance of riding for every single mark. Getting to rub shoulder with the big boys was a great feeling; I met Edward Gal and Imke Schellekens-Bartels. I even managed to beat Kyra Kyrklund when she had a bit of an off day, which was nice!!
Anything else you'd like to mention?
I'd like to say thank you to Ann Marie Dunphy for her support, to Pippa Teggin for getting me started in dressage and all she taught me, and most of all thanks to my parents for all they do for me to make these things possible, I'd be nowhere without them.
Robert McMullin – (Junior National Champion 2009)
When did you start riding?
I can't really remember when I started riding, apparently it was when I was about 4 years old. I started dressage at 10 for eventing purposes but ended up sticking to it up until now.
What was your first pony/horse called?
My first pony was called Zebedee, he taught both my brothers and I to ride. We still have him retired here at home, he's 30 years old now.
Any successes you had with him/her?
I learnt to walk, trot and canter!
Where are you based?
Tomdarragh Equestrian, Tomdarragh Lane, Roundwood, Co. Wicklow (AKA home).
How did you get into Dressage?
Through Pony Club Eventing I realised that to win you needed to be good at dressage so from there I began to compete in pure dressage classes on my eventing pony.
How long have you been doing Dressage?
Since I was about 10 and I'm 18 now so 8 years I guess, though only got seriously into it about 4 years ago.
What level do you currently ride at?
Advanced / Advanced Medium.
How many horses are you currently working with? Tell us a little bit about them...
Well my main ride is Catherston Humbug, an old Grand Prix horse of Jenny Lorriston-Clark's. I ride him at Advanced and Advanced Medium, and I hope to compete him at PSG this coming Summer. I also have a young horse called Oakfield Magnetica, She's only 4 and has shown talent in all three disciplines so it's hard to know if we'll keep her doing straight dressage though she's had a few outings in pure dressage where she's featured quite well, hopefully when I bring her back in at Christmas she will have developed more and I'll have a chance to push her training on some more.
What is your biggest achievement to date?
It has to be qualifying and competing in the European Pony Dressage Championships in Freudenburg, Germany.
What does this achievement (National Junior Champion 2009) mean to you?
Though Ireland has a small pool of Junior riders, they're strong in competition and I'm very happy I picked up the award this year, though there are 2 or 3 Juniors who could have beaten me to it so I suppose I consider myself lucky and look forward to the competition in the New Year.
What are your plans for the future?
At the moment I have the Leaving Cert to contend with which will cut a lot of riding and competition time for me this year, which is unfortunate, but on the horse I am riding at the moment, fingers crosses he stays in good health. I would like to represent Ireland at the Young Rider Europeans if not this year, maybe next year. I'd also love to have a shot at riding the full Grand Prix, but I'll have to see how it goes.
What is your ultimate goal in Dressage?
To ride for Ireland in the Olympics.
Who is your idol in Dressage?
Though many admire Edward Gal and his unbelievable steed Totilas, I have to say from a training and relaxation point of view, Isabelle Werth would have to be my idol dressage rider.
If you could have any horse on the Dressage circuit which one would it be?
Totilas no questions asked, though I wouldn't have minded a sit on Blue Hors Matine.
What/where are you studying (if applicable)?
The Institute of Education.
Do you have any other hobbies/interests?
I like to draw and I play tennis, football, rugby and try to swim as much as I can though horse riding comes before all of that. I also try to run everyday for fitness purposes.
Favourite quote?
THEEI! (don't ask).
Any places you would like to visit & why?
I would love to visit New Zealand because of its very versatile landscapes and I love extreme sports so I'd like to try my hand at... Well all of them if I could!
Any life goals/ambitions outside horses?
It's hard to name all of them off the top of my head, I think I probably have too many but I suppose at the moment the most important thing for me is getting through the Leaving Cert.
Tara ffrench – (Pony National Champion 2009)
When did you start riding?
Since before I can remember!!
What was your first pony/horse called?
Midget, he was an 8hh Shetland who got me started out hunting!
Any successes you had with him/her?
I just used to hunt him and do a bit of pony club!
Where are you based?
In Ahascragh, Co. Galway. It's in the middle of absolutely no-where but it's an ideal place for keeping horses!
How did you get into Dressage?
My Mum used to compete so she always encouraged me to get into dressage!
How long have you been doing Dressage?
Since I was about ten I think... or younger maybe! Just local shows back then though!
What level do you currently ride at?
Medium, but I work Advanced Medium at home!
How many horses are you currently working with? Tell us a little bit about them...
I have a great little schoolmaster called Roberto who's really brought me up the levels and I'm enjoying learning some of the higher level movements on him now! I was also fortunate enough to be asked to ride another horse, Ronja, and she's been teaching me lots too!
What is your biggest achievement to date?
Being pony champion at the nationals this year!
What does this achievement mean to you?
It was a really nice, memorable finish to my last year in ponies (tear!) and kept me motivated to keep improving myself!
What are your plans for the future?
I'd love to set up my own competition yard, and also have a good career someday, but for now get school and college out of the way and find a horse haha!
What is your ultimate goal in Dressage?
Ultimate dream would be to get to the Olympics if at all possible...but that's a long way off ha!
Who is your idol in Dressage?
Oh god cheesiest answer ever, but has to be Mum! I admire how she can connect with a horse and really make it want to do everything to the best of its ability, and her amazing wealth of knowledge!
If you could have any horse on the Dressage circuit which one would it be?
I would have said Blue Hors Matinee but she's off the circuit now so it'd have to be Moorlands Totilas!
What/where are you studying?
Still in school unfortunately, 5th yr in Kilkenny college
Do you have any other hobbies/interests?
Em I'm not the sportiest to say the least... haha I actually love reading!
Favourite quote?
Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail.
Any places you would like to visit & why?
I'd love to travel to loads of really random remote places all over the world, just to get an idea of all the different cultures and ways of life other people have and see as much of the world as I possibly can!
Any life goals/ambitions outside horses?
To be successful in horses and in work, happy and independent J