Margie McLoone

WHILE boxer Katie Taylor and soccer international Stephanie Roche have been hitting the headlines for Irish women in sport in recent times, the equestrian world found a new hero last week in Jill Finn.

The youngest of three hunting-mad daughters of Ballybrennan tillage farmers Michael and Julie Finn, the nine-year-old was photographed by Bettie Furlong tackling a double bank with her new pony Lightning Jess when out with the Wexford Foxhounds.

The meet last Tuesday week took place at the Finn farm so naturally enough, Jill and 11-year-old Millie had a day off school but, unfortunately, Annie (13) had to attend Kilkenny College as she had an exam to sit. The girls’ father Michael was also mounted for the day.

Amateur photographer Bettie usually keeps her Facebook postings to members and supporters of the Wexford Hunt and its branch of the Irish Pony Club. However, Julie Finn decided that the brilliant photograph, and her daughter’s ‘stickability’ skills, demanded a wider audience and so shared the pic.

In her third season off the lead-rein, Jill became a worldwide sensation with most people stunned to discover that she stayed in the saddle having looked likely to go out the ‘back door’.

“I was just in the right place at the right time,” said Bettie. “The young girl, who’s a quiet little thing, did all the work. She was just so cool about it all, getting back in the saddle, stopping the pony at the top of the bank to gather her reins, and then continuing on.”

TRANSFERRED

Bettie was out with the Wexfords again last Sunday when the children’s meet was also held at the Finn farm, having been transferred from Gusserane as a funeral was taking place in the village. The three Finn girls were hunting on this occasion as was Michael; Julie doesn’t ride. “I think that’s why I don’t really know how dangerous riding can be,” she revealed. “But, after seeing Bettie’s photo, I’ve had Michael fix a strap to the saddle for Jill to hold on to!”

Strangely enough Jill and Millie appeared in last week’s edition of The Irish Field being among a group of children photographed at the Wexford point-to-point at Ballinaboola where Michael was on gate duty.

Annie missed the photo op that day as she and her mother were at the inter-schools’ show jumping in Wexford Equestrian.