A RECENT conversation with a client included the mention of a book called Shortcuts to Success, a revision tool her school-going daughter was employing in preparation for her exams.

A knowing chuckle escaped me at this juncture, as I wished aloud for such a ready-made prescription for success in the horse world. Imagine cliff-notes to ensure the perfect clear show jumping; bespoke tutorials to garner the elusive dressage 10s, and a two-page essay ensuring cross-country stardom! Would we not all go back to school for the promise of such effortless glory? “Teacher, teacher… pick me.”

Alas, anybody involved in this sometimes weird but always wonderful world of horses will admit that the only shortcut they know is that between their stables and their muck-heap. Instead, every modicum of their success has been hard won. Yet upon achieving them, the victories smell so much sweeter for the effort they entailed.

Perhaps any study or work guides bearing the word shortcut in the title should be destroyed en masse so that young people can be afforded a much greater sense of what is actually involved in becoming a winner; be that on a sports field, in an exam hall or around a boardroom table.

Anyway, enough of my generation-inspired rumblings and instead on to the Stellor news headlines.

Despite the mercury dipping to temperatures unseen since the big freeze of 2010, the longer days have given the yard a ‘new season’ buzz.

The horses are embracing the first signs of springtime and showing their appreciation in all manner of ways. One of our horses leads out to the field all hang-dog expression and placid, lulling his handler into a false sense of security. No sooner do his feet hit soft soil than all four legs ricochet skywards, leaving his now panicked humanoid scrabbling in the mud for the lead-rope and their dignity.

Other horses are far less subtle in their spring shake-ups, simply careering the opposite direction when approached in the field to be caught. Although they are not yet taking it personally, my staff are beginning to question their choice of footwear when going into the fields. Lightweight, all terrain runners (sneakers for those tuning in from the US, and takkies for my readership in Limerick) seem inevitable at this point. Have you ever tried a 100 metre sprint in ill-fitting wellingtons?

All this aside, I do love seeing my horses in high spirits while in the fields. This is their time to simply be.

The North Leinster Region of Eventing Ireland recently held its annual general meeting. I extend my sincerest thanks to the organisers for such a pleasant evening, and welcome alternative to the chill in the air outside.

In addition to being a social occasion, these meetings provide a platform for important updates in our eventing community. With this in mind, I was disappointed to see several empty chairs in a room designed to accommodate far more people than turned up. Whenever possible, competitors need to display their support for Eventing Ireland and honour the hard work put in by our committee members.

I was delighted to receive the 2014 Senior Rider for the region. My planned assault on the 2015 award is already in-hand. Competitors, start your engines…

Any glory upon receiving the rider award was short-lived. A quick scurry from the meeting floor to the quiz tables provided just enough time for me to express doubt in my quizardry capabilities to my team-members.

“Nonsense,” they said, taking misguided confidence from an award won for my equestrian rather than my general knowledge skills. Several rounds later, and the words of Larry Gogan ran through my head… they didn’t really suit me!

When not playing mastermind, what else has the Stellor yard been up to?

I previously mentioned an interesting arrival to my yard, the stallion Cruising In Clone (also known as Mossy). With almost two months of schooling under our belts and some invaluable tutelage from Ian Fearon, this impressive horse is showing himself to be an excellent student.

Last Saturday was our first competitive outing, taking part in the 1.10m class in Coilóg. While this may have been a relatively small course for this scopey horse, I wanted to confirm that all the flatwork we have been doing has improved his overall ring craft.

Happily, the reports are nothing but positive, and we clocked a pleasing double-clear. Despite female distractions outside the arena, Mossy is one boy more than capable of keeping his mind on the fences. I am looking forward to competing him in some bigger Showjumping Ireland classes over the coming months.

Early this week, I travelled to Sam Watson’s yard in Carlow for dressage lessons with Ian Woodhead. Horseware Stellor Rebound (Rocket) sweated it out with some advanced movements; tempi changes across the diagonal and canter pirouettes.

The FEI has revised its test requirements for 2015, with the changes impacting competitors at all levels from one-star and upwards. At the more advanced levels, the demands on horse and rider combinations will require intensive preparation and nothing can be left to chance.

The FEI hopes that the new dressage requirements will positively influence competitors’ show jumping and cross-country rounds. There is no arguing with this, as flatwork forms the bedrock upon which all other disciplines are built.

Finally, let me take this opportunity to wish you all a happy springtime, and encourage you to throw off the vestiges of an icy winter. Bright days and innumerable equine adventures lie ahead and I for one am determined to make the most of them.

Happy schooling!

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