BUSY days in the saddle are nothing new to David and Elaine O’Connor but last Saturday’s fourth leg of the Baileys Horse Feeds flexi eventing series at The Meadows introduced a new challenge for the couple, as their daughter Rose made her flexi debut alongside them.

The nine-year-old competed three ponies across the three phases, two of whom she started from scratch herself during the summer. Rose’s best friend, eight-year-old Emma Turley also made her debut against senior riders on Saturday so the pair had “the best day ever!”

As members of the East Down Branch of The Pony Club, the two girls competed in the 42-runner 60cm competition at the Area 17 Home Championships in Tullymurry last August, when Rose finished a close-up second with Tullymurry Galaxy.

Not to be outdone by his neighbours, Emma’s veterinary surgeon father David also decided to make a return to competition at The Meadows on Saturday and did so, in the 90cm jumping phases, on the Irish Draught gelding Whitefield Silver.

That six-year-old son of Fast Silver has been hunted throughout the season by David’s father Pat, who diligently looks after the ground at Tyrella, for both the events and point-to-points, and whose many other hats include that of East Down joint-Master.