HAVING enjoyed a high strike rate as an amateur jockey, I have recently moved to Co Wexford in order to pursue my painting career. I rode for more than 20 years as an amateur in Britain, gaining a total of 43 wins in point-to-points and under rules, in tandem with a 30-year career in the British Army.

However, painting has been the other constant in my life and I continually painted portraits on commission. I now have the opportunity to concentrate full-time on painting horses, dogs and rural landscapes from my new home near Wellingtonbridge. The move to Ireland, with its combination of beautiful landscapes and the best horses, was a logical step and thankfully is one which is bearing fruit.

WEXFORD LANDSCAPE

Since arriving in Wexford in late 2012, I have been made most welcome by its incredibly hospitable people. Initially I stayed in the sculptor, Emma MacDermott’s, house in Campile. Having ridden out for Gordon Doyle at Knockmullen Stud near New Ross, the family very generously invited me to stay with them while I renovated my house.

Hunting with the Killinick Harriers, on Mary and Leo Doyle’s horses, and latterly on Pat Stafford’s, has introduced me to many people in the area and to Wexford’s unique landscape.

Although I don’t come from a racing background, my father rode in point-to-points, and he took us hunting with the Royal Artillery Hounds as children. Unfortunately, Dad gave up racing before I was 16 so I didn’t start to ride racehorses until much later.

When I was posted to Tidworth in Wiltshire, I rode out for Toby Balding and had my first ride in the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown Park in 1988. Toby and Seamus Mullins, his amateur at the time, taught me a great deal and I owe them both a lot. I had a point-to-point mare with Seamus when he started training and soon started to get outside rides. I was particularly successful at Sandown, winning 15 races in all, four of which were for Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, two on Norman Conqueror in 1996 and one each on Bella McRae and Braes Of Mar.

AINTREE FOX HUNTERS

I also had the good luck to get round in the Aintree Fox Hunters Chase three times, in 1996, 1999 and 2000. I rode my last winner at the age of 54 in 2011 and since retiring, I still keep my hand in, riding out regularly for Gordon Doyle in New Ross and Eddy Harty on the Curragh.

Amazingly, my father took up point-to-pointing again at the age of 60 and rode a winner at 64. Sadly, we never rode in a race together but he has set me a target to beat!

Since I started painting seriously 40 years ago, equine and canine portraits in pastels and oils have become my speciality. Throughout my Army career I always took my brushes wherever I went, painting the local landscape, people and wildlife, but I always returned to horses and hounds whenever I could.

I believe that my long and ongoing involvement with racing and the countryside gives me a deep affinity with my subject matter. It enables me to get a very close likeness of the animals I paint, as well as giving me the experience to capture the unique character and ‘feel’ of each racehorse, hunter, hound and dog.

Every animal is as uniquely different as every person and I pride myself on capturing their character. It is no less exacting than painting a human portrait.

Coming to Ireland has been a great decision for me and I have absolutely no regrets about making the move. I look forward to many happy years painting and riding here.

If you would be interested in a painting by Ollie take a look at his website - www.oliverellwood.com or give him a ring on 085 871 6953.

Ollie Ellwood was in conversation with John O’Riordan