CAROL Gee has been at the cutting edge of Irish Sport Horse production in Ireland for almost three decades. She owns, and has produced, top-class sport horses that have been exported all over the world, some of which have competed at international level.

A familiar face to competitors and followers at events and shows all over Ireland, Gee is based at Fernhill Sport Horse in Co Kilkenny, but her English accent gives a hint that there’s more to her story than may meet the eye.

“I rode from a young age at my local riding school in the small village of Wawne in Yorkshire, England. I was a typical pony mad kid that mucked out and helped in return for lessons,” Gee explained.

“My parents were not really horsey, but soon embraced the pony scene and bought me some cheap and cheerful rather naughty ponies. My father ‘made’ a two-horse box which we pulled with a Morris Minor van. Then we were off, spending every weekend at local Gymkhanas and shows.

“My mother was Irish and I always secretly planned to live in ‘The land of the Horse’ as I’d heard it referred to. I quit my very respectable and lucrative job with Barclays Bank in 1992 and ran away to Ireland, much to the disgust of my father who thought I was crazy to swap a well paid pensionable career, company car and security for the unpredictable life of an event rider!

“Now, almost 30 years later, I could own anything between 50 and 60 horses at any one time. Most would be in work apart from a few youngsters that we store until they are old enough to break and compete,” she said of her business as an event and show jumping horse owner.

“We always have 35 stabled in Fernhill, which are being produced for sale. They range from four-year-olds just starting their career, to two and three-star horses, ready to go to professionals riders.”

Gee has begun to produce show jumpers too, and is passionate about trying to improve the status of Irish-breds on the world stage.

“Over the last three years I have taken more of an interest in show jumping and had a horse compete at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, ridden by Duarte Seabra for Portugal. Of course this was an Irish-bred horse named Fernhill Curra Quinn.

“Duarte has other horses that I own at in his yard in Portugal, which he competes around Europe, all are for sale to fund his show jumping career. We have built up some good show jumping clients and our horses are starting to be seen at some of the bigger shows.

“My aim is to sell only Irish-bred show jumpers and help get Ireland back on the map as a place to source a jumper. I am also lucky to have the 2017 European pony team gold and individual silver medallist, and 2018 European Junior team bronze medal winner, Kate Derwin, riding three of my talented show jumpers who we intend to compete internationally next year.

“Sophie Richards, who events and show jumps, started her career in Fernhill and is a rider I have great respect for. She has a horse we are both very excited about – MHS Fernhill, he is by Cardento and is a three-parts brother to MHS Going Global. He won the Irish Horse Board studbook final this year and we plan to launch his international career next spring.

While she loves the top end of the scale, Gee is also keen to support and encourage young riders from grassroots level.

“In addition to the horses, we also have a few event ponies with some wonderful, talented children who ride for me,” she explained.

“I like to encourage the next generation of riders, particularly children whose parents aren’t horsey, or who are not in a position to produce a medal-winning pony – it feels right to give something back to a sport that has given me so much.

THE GREEN JACKET

“As a child I show jumped to a decent level and won several Grands Prix with my ponies, most notably my 148cms pony Carlam Hill. Eventing was always my passion though and when I was old enough to earn money I changed disciplines.

“However, my father hated eventing and refused to take me or pay for entries. I competed up to three-star level when based in England, but dreamt of getting one of those green jackets with the flag that the amazing Irish riders looked so elegant in.

“I moved to Ireland with the intention of trying for the Irish event team and setting up a horse dealing business with my then partner, Paul Donovan. I was fortunate to live the dream; I competed internationally and more importantly, earned my green jacket at the European Championships in Pau in 2001.”

Back to the present, how does she source her young horses? “I buy my horses from anywhere I can find them. I have several breeders and producers that supply me regularly. I am always looking for talented young horses and new breeders to work with.

“I love to see a horse that looks interested in life, it needs to come out of the stable with purpose ready to do a job. A horse that wants and is willing to work is one that we can always make something of.

Fernhill Sky High and Fraser Duffy on their way to winning the Plusvital CIC1* at Kilguilkey International. Photo EquusPix

“I have a couple of regular people who specialise in breaking and starting my youngsters. Adrian Burrell works with many of them and is a genius at giving them quiet confidence.”

So of all the horses that have passed through her yard are there any that stand out for her? “There are several horses who have helped make my name and it is not easy to pick out just one. Obviously horses that have reached the top level of sport immediately spring to mind, Fernhill Gloster Rebel (Rich Rebel x Clover Hill) went to the World Equestrian Games with Duarte Seabra when he was eventing.

“Connaught (Powerswood Purple x Grey Macha) won the Rolex Three Day Event with Phillip Dutton. Phillip also won a bronze medal on Mighty Nice at the Olympics in Rio and competed at the World Equestrian Games with Z, a former ride of Duarte’s in both show jumping and eventing.

“Often it’s the horses competing at lower levels that I get most pleasure from. My ponies winning medals at the European Championships, junior riders making teams on horses I have produced – it’s all about making other people’s dreams come true.

“At the moment I’m very fortunate to have a lot of horses I’m excited about. Because most of them are on the market they change constantly. I try to keep a few for Fraser Duffy, my main rider, to produce up the grades which enables him to ride at the top level.

“He currently has two lovely horses, bred by Jim O’Neill in Kilkenny by Dondoctro Royale K that look very special. Typically Fernhill and Whats Up Fernhill are two full-brothers that could go to the top in either discipline.

“I have a very good six-year-old mare in partnership with friends Tim and Clare Corballis, called Fernhill Sky High, that we intend to keep for Fraser long term. She has all the qualities I look for in a Championship horse and fortunately, as Clare and Tim have no desire to sell, she will stay around a while.”

Gee gives Fraser lots of credit. “I couldn’t do what I do without a strong team behind me. My main man is Fraser Duffy, he has been with me a lot of years and we know each other inside out.

“He is a top man on a horse and produces them just the way I like them. He has won medals in dressage, represented Ireland in eventing and now is making a name in show jumping. He is a talented all round athlete and a big asset to the Fernhill team.”

Is there anything she feels that the governing bodies of our sport could be doing to improve things for the owners, or anything she thinks could attract new owners into the sport?

“The cost of having horses competing for Irish teams and riders is far more expensive than for other nations. My horses competing in Portugal and Britain receive much more in the way of funding.

“If we had more centres like Cavan and Millstreet in the middle of the country with good facilities, I think that would encourage more owners who would love to have a drink and a meal while watching their horses compete.

“We need to make supporting our sports a genuine hobby for people. There are a couple of eventing venues I feel could be developed to encourage owners into the sport. More permanent facilities would enable people to come along with friends and family, to make a day of it, or enjoy an exciting weekend away.

“Tattersalls and Millstreet are the only eventing venues with permanent facilities and look how many entries and how much support they get. Foreign riders all want to bring their horses and owners to these venues.

“On the whole I am very happy with my horses, the sport, and the life I have made for myself with these wonderful animals. I have met and remained friends with so many different people and have some fantastic memories. I know the best is yet to come!”