MY life as an equestrian athlete is a life of contrasts; my excitement at travelling to an international competition pitted against my anxiety at turning my back on the yard, if only for a few short days.

My sense of privilege to ride such talented horses grapples against my incessant concern about their well-being; my honouring of the good fortune in making my passion my career locks horns with the niggling suspicion that there is likely an easier way to make a buck (and one that does not involve being party to a buck!).

Yes, my decision to follow this life less ordinary pays handsomely in the currency of the unpredictable and the uncontrollable. Yet, were I to be offered the opportunity to take a road more travelled and, in turn, abandon the world of horses, it would be me telling you to take a hike.

Dear reader, my name is Sarah Ennis and I am an equestrian. Horses are my tipple and bruised bones are my hangover.

Well you might ask what madness it is that keeps me coming back for more?

Put simply, it is the potential and the promise of a glowing future for the horses in my yard. Whether a self-assured and worldly advanced horse, or an apprehensive and unyielding youngster, each and every horse that comes into my yard starts the same journey; a journey that retains the promise of greatness.

Of course, not all of these horses will become the stuff of news headlines but each and every one will become a superstar in their own right.

Fortunately, I am the proud owner and rider of a very particular superstar, none other than Horseware Stellor Rebound (Rocket). This indomitable and gutsy gelding has performed like no other this year, and in doing so responded effortlessly to the ‘why’ of my career choice.

Indeed, I pen this column with a sense of euphoria following our very recent trip to the Equi-Trek CCI*** Horse Trials in Bramham Park, where we took a very pleasing fourth place.

These pages have previously seen me wax lyrical with regard to the stately settings for certain dates in the British Eventing calendar; Chatsworth, Badminton, Burghley, and now Bramham. The opportunity to compete at Bramham Park brought with it a sense of true privilege. The beautiful parkland inspired a cross-country course worthy of the truly international field of competitors that attended.

The gilded backdrop for this event also ensured that spectators and eventing enthusiasts visited in their droves. My own gallop around the cross-country course will remain memorable, in part for the vocal support I received enroute.

As to be expected at this time of the year, the ground at Bramham was quite firm. However, an experienced team of groundstaff optimised the going with a dedicated rotation of watering and spiking.

I arrived in Bramham on the Tuesday of the week’s competition. While this was a rare occasion of travelling to an international competition without Niki, I was saved from journey fatigue and boredom by the young American rider, Caroline Martin and her groom Kate.

Both girls proved welcome company during the drive to West Yorkshire and afforded me some interesting insights into their world of eventing in America. A late application to the US Green Card Lottery looks very attractive at present!

My onsite culinary whims were attended to by the multi-talented Ken Mahon; this in addition to his coaching of Elizabeth Hayden. Indeed, so impressive were his gourmet feats, that I feel a ‘Ken Dine with Me’ television series in the offing! If only every horse lorry came with a chef of Ken’s standard. Alas, I fear that all future dining options will pale in comparison.

Fuelled by good food and even better company, I finished Thursday’s dressage test on a 45.7 (and placed 15th at the start of cross-country day). I was generally happy with our test performance, on a day when judges were slow to award more than sevens. That said, I am determined to achieve a level that will see us score consistently in the 30s.

What the cross-country course at Bramham lacked in size, it made up for in technicality.

Fortunately, galloping bravely across parkland is fast becoming Rocket’s specialist area so I started my round full of confidence. I could not have asked for a better performance from my wonder horse as we finished clear, and eleven seconds inside the time. This would prove to be enough to put us in eighth place prior to showjumping.

Rocket then clocked in a faultless performance over the coloured poles, which saw us finish up in fourth place.

While jubilant with the result, I remain mindful of the loyalty this horse shows me. Experience equips me with the knowledge that they are not all built this way!

Sarah Ennis is an international event rider based in Co Meath where she and her husband Niki run Stellor Sport Horses