A BUSY weekend for Graiguenamanagh-based performance horse and pony rider/producer Diarmuid Ryan started on Saturday at The Meadows, where he rode one Irish Sport Horse gelding, who had a 9.04am start time, in the five-year-old Balmoral Star of the Future qualifier.

It was then on to the Irish Draught performance qualifier at the same venue, where he was first into the arena at 12.30pm in the four and five-year-old class and then proceeded to ride seven more starters, qualifying two. He followed that herculean effort by partnering three horses in the six-year-old and over section, one of whom qualified.

If anyone thought Diarmuid was taking it handy or slowing down by the fact that he rode just one horse in the DAFM eventing series qualifier at Killossery Lodge Stud on Sunday morning, nothing could be further from the truth. He actually headed back down south to fill the role as one of the on-course veterinary surgeons at the Carlow Farmers’ point-to-point in the grounds of Borris House.

It’s important to keep doing the day - and sometimes night - job!