WEXFORD’s Lucy Latta is perhaps best known for her partnership with RCA Patron Saint, the now 15-year-old Grafenstolz-sired gelding with whom she has contested the prestigious five-star events at both Badminton and Burghley. Their greatest achievement to date was their runner-up finish at Badminton in 2024, the best result by an Irish rider at the iconic venue since Major Eddie Boylan won riding Durlas Eile in 1965.

It was the combination’s stellar cross-country round at Badminton that year that saw them rise from 46th after the first phase to eventual second. They put in a foot-perfect performance on their CCI5*-L debut to finish just one second over the time allowed, which proved to be the fastest round of the day. Latta and ‘Paddy’ went on to finish 22nd at Burghley the following year, after an unlucky stumble late on course, before returning to Badminton this season to finish 17th and best of the Irish contestants.

When Latta’s partnership with Paddy began in 2017, the combination finished in the middle of the field on their two starts at EI100 level. They have since progressed through the grades to be successful at the top end of the sport.

“Paddy’s owner, the incredible Lesley Crampton, asked me to ride him at the end of his six-year-old year,” she says. “He was originally bought at the Go For Gold sale, having first been competed by Felicity Ward.

“I’ve been lucky enough to produce Paddy from pre-novice up to five-star,” she continues, “and he’s become a true cross-country specialist. He’s brave, he’s got stamina and he truly loves his job. I feel very lucky to partner him.”

Latta is no stranger to international success, nor to producing top-level rides herself. She won four team medals at pony and junior level, and her first championship call-up came in 2011. “When I was 13, I began eventing on the recommendation of my auntie Mag Power and she helped us find a lovely pony called Nono. Less than a year later, with Mag as my trainer, I was representing Ireland at my first European championships.

A solid foundation

“Being part of youth teams gave me a great foundation for seniors,” Latta continues. “The experience taught me how to handle pressure from a young age, which was a huge help when stepping up to five-star for the first time. It really gave me the confidence to ride the horse I had underneath me and to trust myself and my horse on the big stage.”

In 2013, the same year that she completed her third consecutive pony European championships with Nono, Latta began competing the then six-year-old Cleo Ferro. The end of that season saw them finish sixth in the Michael Leonard Memorial five and six-year-old championship at Ballindenisk, before they were selected to the gold medal-winning team at the Junior European championships the following year. In 2015, the pair were crowned junior national champions.

Lucy Latta is presented by Queen Camila after she and RCA Patron Saint were second at the 2024 Badminton Horse Trials \ Nigel Goddard

With a stellar record in both youth and senior ranks, what are some of the ingredients in Latta’s success? “I’m lucky to be surrounded by many strong women, who have been pivotal in my eventing career. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my mum, Yvonne; she comes to most of my events and is always there to support me in everything I do. My cousin Esib Power has also been a huge influence. She’s been my trainer for years and is my go-to person for advice and guidance with the horses.”

Latta is based on her family’s tillage farm in Wexford, where, she says, they have super facilities. “We have private hacking, an indoor arena and two gallops.” She takes a patient and individual approach to producing each of her horses. “They all mature physically and mentally at different times, so it’s a case of assessing what they’re ready for on a horse-by-horse basis. It’s important they have positive experiences as they progress through the levels, so they really enjoy their jobs.”

And what does she look for when assessing a younger horse’s potential and suitability for the sport? “First and foremost, I look for a horse with a good brain. Event horses these days come in all shapes and sizes, so a horse that has a good attitude and is a quick learner is the first piece of the puzzle for me. After that, I like my horse to have a nice step, a decent amount of blood with a good gallop and to respect a show jump while still feeling brave enough to enjoy cross-country.”

Latta has had great success with Paddy over the traditional stamina-testing five-star tests, and she has yet to make her senior team debut. Is it possible to aim for championships and five-star success with the same horse? “It is possible, but it’s definitely a challenge to do both on the same horse.

"The requirements for five-stars versus championships are becoming increasingly different. The former really rewards fast and brave cross-country horses whereas in the latter, the dressage and show jumping phases tend to have more influence.

“The new Olympic format has certainly changed the trajectory of the sport,” she continues. “With shorter, twisty tracks, more horses with less blood are competing at championship level compared to 15 years ago. Hopefully, the more blood type horses will continue to have their place in eventing at five-star level; these events are truly the pinnacle of cross-country, which is the most distinctive and exciting phase in our sport.”

Bucket list

When asked whether she would prioritise competing at five-star over championship selection, Latta is circumspect. “Competing at five-star is such a unique rush, especially the likes of Badminton or Burghley. I love the feeling of tackling those types of big tracks and I hope that I’ll have horses to do so for many more years to come. That said, it’s definitely on my bucket list to make my senior championship debut. I loved representing my country and being part of a team at underage levels, so hopefully I’ll get that chance once again over the next few years.”

Latta’s achievement with Paddy at Badminton in 2024 was all the more remarkable given that, at the time, she was an amateur rider with only one event horse in work. Having studied Sports Management in UCD followed by a Masters in Marketing at Smurfit Business School, Latta began her career outside the equestrian world with White Claw Hard Seltzer and Mark Anthony Brands.

In April of this year however, she stepped away from her role as Innovation Brand Manager with the group to focus on her horses full-time. “I loved the job and my team,” she says, “but unfortunately it became too difficult to balance the two, as my string of event horses continued to expand.”

Lucy Latta was crowned The Irish Field's 2024 Senior Event Rider of the year \ Lorraine O’Sullivan

With her focus turned entirely to her horses, what lies ahead for Latta? “My main aim is to return to Badminton next year,” she says. “Paddy loves it there.”

Latta counts both show jumpers and eventers among her current string, and she identifies Keamore Louise and Little Luck as two potential stars of the future. The seven-year-old Keamore Louise (Luidam x Lux Z), whom she co-owns with Lesley Crampton, finished second in the CCIYH2* Coral Cove Championship at Millstreet in May behind Ian Cassells and his Lion d’Angers ride BT Just Special. The combination then stepped up to CCI3*-S level and have jumped clear cross-country on their three starts at that level.

“She’s a real star for the future,” says Latta. “She’s shown serious talent and promise this year, having easily stepped up to three-star level with very little experience under her belt. I’m very excited to keep aiming her up the levels.”

Little Luck (Avos Jordan Z x Diamond Roller), who was bred in Co Cavan by Noel Tierney, was initially produced by John Bannon, who qualified him for both Balmoral’s Star of the Future championship and the five-year-old young event horse class at the 2026 Gallagher Dublin Horse Show. Latta has had one run with him, at the final Eventing Ireland fixture of 2026 in Barnadown at EI100 level, and he is now in the ownership of the Cramptons, Amanda Morris and Stephen Odlum. “He’s another lovely young horse who’s new on the yard,” says Latta. “He’s a beautiful type with a bright future,” she concludes.