NONE of the cross-country commentators at Eventing Ireland one-days had to get their tongues around the name Anita Algierowicz this year as the Polish native decided not to event this season and, to make matters easier for the future, she changed her surname to Kyne when marrying partner Gerry Kyne in August.

“I still ride all the young horses at home and get them ready for sale or whatever, but I haven’t competed since last year,” said Kiltrogue-based Anita. “I decided to take a little break and to add something new to my skill set, so I’m doing a Neuromuscular Therapy course (for humans). Between that and the kids (two), I don’t have much time left and eventing is such a time-consuming sport. But I do hope to get back into it one day.

“We break all types here - ponies, sport horses, thoroughbreds, cobs and the odd Irish Draught. We have some horses on livery and I’ll ride them a couple of times a week as well. We also have our own youngsters coming up, keep 12 broodmares and stand the stallions Cloonee Silver (Harlequin du Carel - Killeshill, by Diamond Lad) and Lagans OBOS Ambassador (Lagans OBOS Quality - Lagans Ambassador, by Cruisings Ambassador), so there’s still loads to do without competing!”

With so much going on at home, it was probably like a day off for Anita and Gerry last Friday week when they headed to Kilbeggan with just the one horse, Whatyouwant. The journey east paid dividends as the seven-year-old Ocovango mare landed the three-mile, one-furlong handicap hurdle by a neck to give Gerry, who holds a restricted trainer’s licence, his first winner on the track.