Autumn brings with it an inevitable theme of change. The eventing scene has more of a cruise-control feel than a high-gear tempo. Horses with a season of international campaigning behind them face a welcome wind-down and even the summer sleek of horses’ coats takes on a more befuddled appearance, in preparation for the colder months ahead.

September days in my yard involve a shift in focus from my more senior to my younger horses. I always approach the latter part of the season with the objective of upgrading several young horses to novice level (and discovering some stars of the future while doing so). Thus, my weekends are currently busy with regular outings in the smaller eventing classes.

Last Saturday’s frown-inducing, pre-dawn departure to the Loughanmore event was amply justified with very positive performances from my rising stars.

My Morris, a very talented four-year-old by Ghareeb, returned a very promising result and further increased my belief in his potential to go all the way to the top. Although he has only been eventing a mere matter of weeks and is still in need of some fine-tuning, this attractive gelding possesses both the scope and the attitude typically associated with horses destined for great things. His owners, Morris and Valerie Breen, have doted on My Morris since he was a foal, something that is evident in his happy-go-lucky disposition. If horses could smile, then his would be worthy of a toothpaste campaign. (Turn to page A79 for more on the Breens and My Morris).

An important aspect of training young event horses is the development of their confidence in jumping at pace, and out of their stride when cross-country. The line between balancing them for a solid fence and overly-cosseting them is a fine one, while galloping flat out and throwing caution to the wind ends only in chaos and fear.

One approach to building the all-important, cross-country confidence is getting young eventers to jump racing hurdles at pace. In doing so, horses quickly learn to maintain their galloping momentum while jumping. Thus, my recent trips to the gallops have been nothing less than adrenaline-packed and my complexion radiates a sort of wind-swept glow.

Next week sees a big change in my yard, when my working pupil of a year, Ailbhe McGrath leaves life in the stables for life in the classroom. She will be studying primary school teaching and assures me that managing groups of unruly children is really not too different from managing naughty horses! I did suggest that a crash helmet might still be a worthwhile accessory in her new career. Ailbhe has played a huge part in the success of Stellor Sport Horses throughout the past 12 months, something for which I am immensely grateful.

Although she leaves behind big boots to fill, Ailbhe’s departure leaves space for another ambitious and competent working-pupil. If you think this might be you, do drop me a line.

The coming and going of horses is typical of busy competition yards, and mine is no different. A very recent and exciting arrival to my stables is Sugar Bunny, a full-sister to the eventing stalwart Sugar Brown Babe. By the popular sire Porsche, Sugar Bunny has all the good looks of a horse with an already-established career in the show ring before the age of four. Now the focus turns to her eventing career, and I am eager for the months ahead and how she will perform. I promise to keep you all updated.

Lest his noteworthy, star columnist status be diminished, Rocket (Horseware Stellor Rebound) has requested a mention. His request comes from the comfort of a field full of grass, as he relishes in a well deserved, post-WEG break. Although not fully decided upon yet, I might compete him in some Showjumping Ireland mini Grand Prix over the winter months.

First and foremost, however, will be a full DOE from my long-time vet Marcus Swail. After an arduous summer of competition, I am much happier to proceed knowing that my horses have a clean bill of health.

While us eventers might bemoan the winter, there exists a group of equine enthusiasts impatiently awaiting its arrival. Frequently spotted careering at high speeds across country; sometimes in pursuit of a fox, sometimes in pursuit of each other; we call this unique combination of horse and rider, the ‘hunter’.

There exists hardly a corner of our small island that remains untouched by hunters. Out west, they ‘Blaze’ over stone-walls at break-neck speeds; in Cork they leap across ‘Hallowed’ banks and ditches; while closer to home the Meaths do anything but mind themselves!

My husband Niki is a long-time hunter and is positively beside himself with anticipation of the excitement, which lies ahead.

Of course, any hunter will tell you that there is some work to be done first, as fat-bellied horses are dragged in from fields and put on training regimes worthy of a Hollywood movie star.

Nobody wants to be left at the back of the field at the opening meet so the stakes are high.

Niki’s Hollywood stars are two able and reliable hunters, one called Bruce and the other called Rodney. While they are now likely regretting their decision to approach us in the field last week, I believe that they too anticipate the exhilarating few months that lie ahead.

First though, they need a rather substantial amount of trotting… happy hacking!

Sarah Ennis is an international event

rider based in Co Meath where she

and her husband Niki run Stellor Sport

Horses