AMONG the many Irish visitors to last week’s Horse Of The Year Show in Birmingham was Tinahely’s Mary Rothwell who not only got to see Greenhall Cecil, who she bred, compete in the small hunter final but also had the pleasure of riding the grey gelding herself during his exercise session.

“Cecil is owned by a lovely woman called Caroline Saynor who seems to love him as much as I did,” said Mary who bred the now six-year-old Fast Silver gelding out of her Crosstown Dancer mare Greenhall Arcadian Dance. She partnered the grey to be reserve small hunter champion at the 2013 Dublin Horse Show, the pair having finished second in their class the previous August.

“I was thrilled when Caroline asked me if I’d like to ride Cecil at HOYS and jumped at the chance. I couldn’t believe how much he had developed. He has really bulked up and become so strong!” she reported.

The Co Wicklow breeder/producer turned her attention to the thoroughbred world on Sunday as she was assistant to judge Ian Johnston at her local Shillelagh point-to-point in Fairwood Park. No doubt tired from her exertions in Birmingham, Mary stayed off her feet for the day and drove her jeep everywhere!

Today, the schoolteacher is organising the Carnew inter-schools competition at Barnadown.