A FUNERAL service takes place this morning (Saturday) for the legendary horsewoman Jacki (Jacqueline) Doherty from Clonalvy, Co Meath who sadly peacefully passed away on Tuesday, November 4th surrounded by loved ones.

Dressage Ireland led tributes to Jacki, Ireland’s first national dressage champion this week, describing her as a “trailblazer” for promoting the sport in Ireland. She won that title in 1977 aboard Ambitious at the Royal Dublin Society. Some 40 years later, in 2017, she received a special presentation at the Dressage Ireland National Championships held in Cavan, where she received a standing ovation.

She went on to win the national title three times in total. Speaking about her horse Ambitious in 2017, she said: “[He was] The horse of a lifetime. In addition to winning the dressage championships, we also were very successful in eventing, we won showing classes at the RDS Dublin Horse Show and I competed on him at the Horse of the Year show in the UK.”

Inspirational

In a tribute, Dressage Ireland said: “Jacki was a trailblazer when it came to promoting the sport of dressage in Ireland. She and Irish Olympian Fiona Wentges gave a dressage demonstration in the RDS main arena at the 1981 Dublin Horse Show, which was broadcast live on RTÉ television.

“Jacki was the inspirational leader of the then Ashton (now Ashbrook) Riding Club and motivated so many members to a lifelong involvement in equestrian sport. She was a hugely influential teacher and coach. Jacki was a leading dressage judge and she judged across the island of Ireland for many decades. She was a true horsewoman and, in later years, her success in the world of carriage driving was a testimony to her incredible talent.

“All in Dressage Ireland would like to extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jacki Doherty on her sad passing.”

Jacki’s funeral service will take place at 11am in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland, Slane. Predeceased by her brother Paul, Jacki is survived by her brother Alfred, nephew Andrew, grand-nephew Daniel and godson Randal. Jacki will also be missed by her former pupils, friends and associates in the equestrian world.