GERMAN child care worker Lea Harms has returned home following another lengthy holiday in Ireland which this year saw her realise a dream.

“I have ridden and competed horses all my life, from a very early age on, both in dressage and show jumping,” related the 25-year-old. “When I was a little girl, by parents took me to the Dublin Horse Show every year. Ever since then, it has been a dream to compete in Dublin as it is so very different from all the shows in Germany where I am from.

“After finishing my school exams, I went to work with horses not too far from Dublin with my instructor Aoife Healion. Last month, I got the chance to show Carracanada River in the ridden Connemara stallion class (finishing fourth) at the Dublin Horse Show. The weeks leading up to the RDS were filled with lessons, packing and organising.

“Dublin Horse Show is nothing like the shows I have experienced in Germany – the number of horses stabled in the middle of the City, the different classes from showing to combined training to show jumping. The atmosphere was amazing and everyone so very friendly.

“Showing Carra in Dublin was a once in a lifetime experience for me and one that I will never forget, though if I come to live in Ireland, as I hope to do if I can get a job, perhaps I will get to repeat this experience!”

Lea shared the ride on Carracanada River at Dublin with his Westport owner Kirstin MacDonagh, who partnered the 10-year-old in the older Connemara performance hunter class, and Clew Bay Branch member Kitty Harburn who, representing Area 6, rode the bay in the Intermediate pony club combined training competition where they finished fourth.

Sadly, having thought about selling Carracanada River for some time, Kirstin has taken definite steps to do so recently and Aoife Healion is now producing the son of Templebready Fear Bui for sale.