MANY congratulations to Kildare’s Mabel Lyons who is set to reach the fantastic milestone of her 101st birthday in the coming days.

Known to many in the horsey world, Mabel celebrates her 101st birthday on February 15th and amazingly, she has lived in the very same house she was born in over a century ago, at Hartwell Stud, all her life.

Mary Healy, joint-master of the Kildare Foxhounds, teamed up with Rita Lyons to spring a delightful surprise at the gate of the Naas-based stud. Told that the hunt would be passing by if she wanted to see them, Mabel and Rita duly made their way down to the gate on foot where Mary was on hand with members of the hunt and hounds to surprise - and delight - Mabel with a beautiful floral bouquet.

A lifelong equestrian and racing stalwart, Mabel first rode on a donkey to FourNaughts when she was six, accompanied by her brother, and she was still riding in her 70s. Educated at the Convent in Naas, Mabel is gifted with a great brain and loves history.

During her years in the saddle, Mabel racked up considerable success across several disciplines. She hunted locally with both the Kildare Foxhounds and the Naas Harriers, competed in point-to-points and also beat Army Equitation School riders in the show jumping ring at Tullow. Mabel competed in the Dublin Horse Show, hacking back from Ballsbridge to Hartwell and she also rode Sea Crest (sire of Hartwell’s great Cruising).

Blessed with a great eye for fashion, Mabel worked as a buyer in Dublin after studying linen in the Kellett School of Drapery. Highly active with involvement in many different societies and associations, local and national, Mabel also served as a former president of the ICA.

Her family and many friends wish the inspirational Mabel a wonderful 101st birthday as does everyone in The Irish Field.