HAVING competed successfully on the Irish Pony Club eventing circuit as a member of the Kildare Branch, it was only a matter of time before Sadhbh Springate moved on to Eventing Ireland which she did this year at EI100 Amateur level with Mullybrannon Diamond.

The 21-year-old from Newbridge, who is studying analytical science at UCD, made her debut in late April at Lisgarvan (1) where, on a day when she and many other riders picked up cross-country time penalties, Springate and her Dario gelding finished 10th of the 23 starters.

However, in six subsequent outings, the combination won at Annaharvey, finished second four times and came third once. They ended the campaign by claiming the reserve spot in the 27-runner EI100 Amateur championship at Kilguilkey House where, on 33.2 penalties, they had to settle for second behind the Northern Region’s Holly McClenaghan on Blacklaw Pelorus (32.4). They were fifth in the Husk. EI100 amateur league.

Foaled in 2008 gelding, Mullybrannon Diamond (Bobby) has more EI experience than his rider, being first produced in Northern Ireland as a four and five-year-old by the Whittle family. Shane Power competed the good-looking bay four times in 2014 (once at one-star level when eliminated for leaving out a fence) while Sadhbh’s brother Cian, who no longer has much interest in the sport, won an EI90 class with Bobby at Killossery Lodge in June 2015.

As well as eventing, Springate and Mullybrannon Diamond compete in side-saddle, combined training and working hunter competitions. They have won the intermediate working hunter pony class at the Dublin Horse Show on three occasions (2014, 2016 and 2017), going on to take the championship twice. The Springates purchased Mullybrannon Diamond as a five-year-old at the RDS following his appearance in the small event horse championship.

Sadhbh is coached in all disciplines by Julieann Gaffney, an arrangement that has been in place for about 10 years while Bobby is kept on livery with Pauline Costello, another family who were once heavily into showing but are now more involved with show jumping.

Although she and Mullybrannon Diamond will keep competing in other disciplines (“I like to do a little bit of everything”), Springate is delighted to have started riding as an amateur with Eventing Ireland. “Everything is so well-organised and everyone has been so friendly and welcoming,” she commented. “I hope to move up to one-star level next year but I’ll have to talk to Julieann about that.”

Not too surprisingly, given her result in the national championships, Sadhbh was particularly impressed by the facilities and courses at Kilguilkey House.

“The cross-country track was long but I loved riding around it and I really enjoyed myself over the two days. It was a great weekend.”