TIPPERARY international show jumper Kevin Babington has a packed programme competing at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida, but he took some time out recently to support his daughters, Gwyneth (13) and Marielle (11), as they modelled a new line of clothing during a photo-shoot for top American equestrian outlet, Dover Saddlery.

No strangers to the camera, having also graced the pages of the outlet’s catalogue a few years ago, the girls were delighted to be invited back to promote a new range at the show grounds in Wellington. “The girls were absolutely thrilled and had a fantastic day,” said their Mum, Dianna.

This past week Dianna has been busy making plans to relocate the whole family to Florida from their base in Pennsylvania. “We have another farm in Loxahatchee, which is about 10 minutes from the showgrounds, so the girls will attend school here for the duration of the Festival and will compete in the pony hunter and show jumping classes.

Thankfully they both love horses and are following in their father’s footsteps into the world of show jumping,” she added.

In the coming weeks Dianna will begin preparing for the Nations Cup and the now annual reception held for owners of horses participating on Irish equestrian teams. Organised by Tamso Doyle, with the assistance of a great team that also includes Sarah Kerins and Ali Sweetnam, the evening is designed to acknowledge the great support that the Irish equestrian community have received in the USA.

“We had a fantastic crowd at it last year, so hopefully the one during the first week of March will be just as successful,” Dianna concluded.