IN Mountkeeffe Sunshine, Ita Walsh has the perfect ride for an amateur as he has done everything she has asked of him.

“I bought Bobby unbroken as a three-year-old and sent him first to Matty Jones and then to Felicity Ward who got him going for me,” revealed Walsh of her 2009 grey gelding who is by the Irish Draught stallion WRS Sun Rich and was bred in Co Kerry by Maurice Brennan out of the Senang Hai mare Farmers Pride.

“He is very versatile. We twice went to Dublin where we were placed in the large riding horse class in 2017; I love my dressage so did a good bit with Bobby in the South Munster Region; and we represented North Cork in Riding Club dressage, eventing and hunter trials championships.” You will notice that Walsh didn’t do Riding Club show jumping as that is her least favourite discipline.

A veterinary surgeon, Walsh enjoys eventing as a reward at the end of a hard-working week. She has competed under Eventing Ireland rules more often in the past two seasons and loves being part of the amateur community as she finds her fellow riders like-minded and very friendly. Last season she competed 11 times with Mountkeeffe Sunshine, winning at Kilguilkey House (3) and being placed on six occasions.

While Walsh mainly competed on the Munster circuit she also travelled as far as Tattersalls and Annaharvey. The latter venue will be one of her closest next season as she and her husband Denis Mackessy have recently returned to Ita’s native Portumna having lived in Newmarket, Co Cork.

“Both of us are veterinary surgeons and while Denis is remaining in general practice, I have joined the Department of Agriculture to take up a position in the veterinary public health service,” said Walsh. “It’s a pity there are no events left over this part of the world as it would have been easy for me to get to Flowerhill and Gurteen so Annaharvey and Crecora will be my local events from now on.

“It won’t worry me for a while as Bobby went on his holidays after the National Championships and won’t be back in until the first week in February. I’m happy competing at EI90 level but we’ll see how things go next season. I have three other horses – a retired mare, an Irish Draught I used to event (Mountkeeffe Sunrise) and another gelding I just use for fun rides during the winter.

“My new job has more structured hours so I can get out for long walks with my dogs, which I love, and it’s beautiful here around Portumna.”