NOT many equestrian athletes can boast at having represented their country in three separate disciplines, but Dublin-born Hilda Donahue is now in that elite club, having flown the Irish flag in eventing, endurance and dressage at international level.

Since making her five-star eventing debut in Lexington Kentucky back in 2002, Donahue has competed with horses all over the world.

On meeting her husband Ken McKenzie, she followed him into endurance, in which she represented Ireland at the World Equestrian Games in 2018 and at the 2025 European Championships.

Throughout all this time, dressage was also her passion and in the past 10 years she has pursued this too, competing up to Grand Prix level and now aiming for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

A native of Glenageary in Co Dublin, Donahue did not come from an equestrian background but was immersed in ponies from a young age. “I first started riding at Killiney Stables with Wally Desmond and Michelle Jones and later at Spruce Lodge with the late Joan Keogh. It is where I met my good friend and mentor William Micklem. At that time, he was developing his Micklem bridle. What a privilege it was growing up with almost daily tutorage from him.

“William has been instrumental in shaping my career - he helped me get my first working student job in the US. Years later, he spent several weeks at my eventing facility in Orlando doing an intensive photo shoot for his iconic book, The Complete Horseback Riding Manual. We have remained good friends ever since and I know that he is excited about my hopeful adventure towards LA.”

During the early years, Donahue competed at the RDS in both the working hunter ponies and show hacks. This past August, she was delighted to return to Ring 2 to ride in the heavyweight hunters with Tommy Tutty’s four-year-old gelding Glen’s Rebel.

Hilda Donahue on board Ashmore's Scribble in Lexington in 2002 \ Shannon Brinkman

Of her return to Dublin, she said: “It was an absolute thrill! Even though I have been fortunate enough to compete all over the world, there is nothing quite like riding at the Dublin Horse Show.”

Donahue still has family here and travels home several times a year to visit. “My mum is 85 and as spunky as ever. She is my hero. My younger brother runs the family business, Hick’s of Dun Laoghaire, and my older brother lives in Kentucky.”

USA-bound

On completing secondary school, Donahue left horses for a time and went to UCD to study philosophy, psychology and economics. However, it would not be long before she was drawn back in. After obtaining a J1 visa, she headed for the States to work with Ann Taylor (Hardaway).

“This was thanks to William (Micklem) as Ann used to buy horses from him at the time.”

A hugely accomplished event rider, Taylor rode for her country at the Seoul Olympics in 1988.

In the meantime, Donahue was offered a place at Kings’ Inn to do law but turned it down. She truly loved the Floridian lifestyle and, after a summer with Taylor, moved to Trakehner Horse Farms near Jacksonville.

After a two-year stint there, she got a position with a private family. Working by day she continued her studies at night and gained an MBA from Stetson University.

“I then got a job at Grand Cypress Equestrian Centre, where I stayed for five years as trainer and manager.”

Itching to do her own thing, Donahue later found a lovely farm near Orlando, which she leased for a time before eventually buying it outright. It was her home for many years. “I sold Ashmore Equestrian Centre around 2004. The farm was not actually for sale, but I was approached by a show jumping person and it made sense to sell as I was travelling a lot and teaching out-of-state clinics. I now live in a super nice area in Orlando called Winter Park.”

From the outset, Donahue had her sights on eventing and in the early 2000s acquired Ashmore’s Scribble from Australian Heath Ryan. “At that time, I worked closely with Bruce Davidson and Karen O’Connor,” she explained.

With the bay gelding, she completed the then four-star (now five-star) Rolex Kentucky in 2002 and was short-listed for the World Equestrian Games in Jerez that same year. Sadly, the horse suffered fatal injuries after jumping clear around the cross-country in Burghley.

In the meantime, Donahue had several other horses coming along, including Squire’s Cap, who earned her a place at the CIC World Cup Final in Pau in 2004.

“I also got a catch ride - the craziest thing I ever did - at Adelaide on a horse of Kevin McNab’s.”

During her career in eventing, she earned several Area 3 awards, including Leading Rider of the Year.

‘Captivating world’

When Donahue met her husband Ken McKenzie in 2010, she was introduced to the captivating world of endurance.

A retired captain with American Airlines, he comes from a family steeped in the sport. “He never competed internationally, but started grooming at endurance rides at the age of six. He rode in his first quarter horse race at the age of 12 and rode in the Tevis Cup eight times.”

He is the fourth generation of his family to have ridden in this gruelling 100-mile ride in California. It is said to be the most difficult endurance ride in the world.

Donahue, herself, took part in 2015, thus accomplishing her goal and having an ‘experience of a lifetime’.

Just a year earlier, she had made her endurance debut in the Virginia City 100, one of the oldest and most respected endurance rides in the USA.

In 2016, she picked up numerous top 10 placings at CEI3*160 level across the States, and in 2017 won an FEI 100-mile ride in Texas.

These results placed her high up on the FEI Longines World Rankings and she qualified for the 2018 World Equestrian Games in North Carolina with horses Mirage SR and Al-Marah Speed.

Further accolades include winning the Arabian Horse Association 100-mile National Championship in 2020 and qualifying for the 2024 World Championships in Monpazier, France. “However, I decided not to travel to France for two reasons. One was the expense - there is next to no funding for endurance from the national governing body. Also, the horse Tru Beau Sardi is not a great traveller and relatively young. As I am first and foremost a horse-lover, I felt that it would not be in his best interest.”

Hilda Donahue and Avril Bray competing in endurance at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina \ Nigel Goddard

Earlier this year, she represented Ireland at the European Championships in Italy. She has also qualified for the World Championships in Saudi Arabia in 2026.

“I was qualified for the test ride in Saudi, but opted not to partake due to the expenses involved. However, I do hope to travel to the worlds. I am fortunate to be qualified on Allen Leon’s home-bred mare Babel de Crouz. Allen and his team do an outstanding job with the care and conditioning. They are based in Brittany, France.

“In the meantime, I have been training one of my endurance students for her inaugural 50-mile national ride.”

Sitting trot

While still competing in endurance, Donahue also took up dressage.

“I decided that it was finally time to learn to sit the trot! I always loved dressage, but struggled to devote enough time to properly focus on it. I have had many mentors, namely Anne Gribbons, Greta Wrigley, Yvonne Barteau and my dear friends Kiersten Main and Christine Elliott O’Neal.”

With a variety of nice horses, she soon moved up to Grand Prix level and earned numerous medals from the United States Dressage Federation (USDF).

“The two Grand Prix horses that I have had the pleasure of competing on belong to my long-time client and good friend, Susan Sackett. The other saintly horse belongs to Rose Grant, a client of Yvonne Barteau.

“When I was competing on Sunny (Rose’s horse) I would get up at 3am, drive three-plus hours, take an early morning lesson, then drive home to teach and ride all day.”

Donahue made it to the international stage in 2022 and competed in two CDIs in Florida.

With a wealth of experience, Hilda Donahue has been sharing her knowledge with students across the USA for over 20 years.

“Joan (Keogh) and William (Micklem) inspired me to teach. Joan’s stable was very much a British Horse Society stable where a huge focus was on training people to become safe, effective and good instructors. She had a strict and structured programme, which I loved.

“William taught me, amongst other things, the joy of balancing the mix of effort and delight (in his words) in students of all ages and levels and disciplines. Almost every day that I teach (I teach a lot all over the US), I learn something from my students.”

Though she no longer competes in eventing, she continues to be involved and has been an Area 3 young rider camp trainer and NAYRC selector for 20 years. Area 3 covers nine Southern States.

She is especially proud of the team that won at the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships in Maryland in June.

Interestingly, three of those young riders were on board Irish-bred horses - HSH Henry, Pollux Z, and Ardeo Dance Monkey. “That’s no surprise. Our Irish horses are noted for their athleticism, soundness and their cat-like ‘fifth leg’ abilities, which are so important in eventing.”

During her career, Donahue also spent time with the legend Ian Millar and gained valuable experience in show jumping, hunter classes and equitation. These additional attributes make her highly sought-after as a coach.

Kim Abernathy of Foxberry Farm in Georgia is grateful of the time Donahue has spent at her facility. She said: “We have been fortunate to have had Hilda come to give clinics at Foxberry Farm for over 12 years. She never disappoints.

“Not only is she incredibly skilled at working with riders and horses at all levels, but she is also a joy to have around. Hilda collaborates seamlessly with our trainers, ensuring that everyone involved gets the most out of each session.

“My students always look forward to having her out, and we are so grateful for the positive impact she continues to have on our farm.”

Five years ago, Donahue joined the team at Ride IQ, an innovative app that gives its members access to hundreds of on-demand audio lessons taught by world-class equestrians.

It was set up in 2021 by American sisters Jessa and Kinsey Lux and has since grown to be hugely successful, with dozens of top riders and coaches now offering their services.

“For me, it has allowed me to assist riders from all over the world. I try to interview key people during my travels, who have interesting topics and knowledge to share with our Ride IQ members.

“At the Dublin Horse Show this year, I had the pleasure of chatting with Derek Hamilton, a renowned event course designer. There is also a most informative YouTube video of an interview I did a few years ago with William Micklem.”

Olympic dream

As someone who has competed internationally in three disciplines over a time span of 30 years, Donahue reflects on her career to date. “It has been a true honour and privilege to compete in three disciplines, and it has heightened my awareness as to the interaction between them.

“My advice to anyone considering venturing into a different discipline is to do your research, learn the rules and seek a good mentor.”

Looking ahead in the short term, in terms of dressage Donahue has been busy working on putting together a Grand Prix Freestyle programme for a client’s horse.

In the long term, she has her sights firmly set on representing Ireland in this discipline at the Olympics in 2028. “Each Olympic edition ignites inspiration across the globe, proving that dreams when pursued relentlessly become reality. The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles presents a unique opportunity, and I am ready to seize it.

“Ireland has relatively few riders competing at Grand Prix level, making this a strategically viable goal. With the right horse, training, and support, I can position myself to earn a spot there.”

In a bid to secure a suitable horse, Donahue is hoping to set up a syndicate, details of which are available on her website. “The qualifying period begins in January 2027, so I have just over a year to find a mount. I am thrilled that Anne Gribbons, my dressage coach, is equally excited about this venture.

“Anyone in Ireland who has ideas for me as to how to bring all of this to fruition please get in touch. I am also eagerly awaiting responses from the proposed syndicate letter I just sent out.

“I intend to be an Olympic dressage rider, to be a role model for anyone who wants to break new ground and do exceptional things, whatever their age. I intend to make my country proud of its equine legacy.

“Why not?” she concluded.