Name: Niamh Fitzpatrick

Age: 14

Parents: Sorcha Fitzpatrick and Andrew Fitzpatrick

From: Belfast

School: I go to Methodist College Belfast where I am in third year. I wish to continue on my education to become an equine vet.

Top horses: Hanson is our top horse at the minute and he is starting his show jumping career with Applemount Sport Horses. Hanson is definitely one for the future!

Newmarket Trooper is also amazing and has brought me up the levels and taught me so much in the five months I’ve had him. At the minute I am competing at 1.20m with Newmarket Trooper and we are seeing positive results. We hope to move up a level soon and start to compete in 1.30m classes.

Solace’s Lux After Dark is starting show jumping with me and although he is challenging, he has taught me a lot! Eric (Murphy GCS) is my mum’s horse and I have been lucky enough to have such a great animal to help me with the jump from ponies to horses. He made it so much easier. Dalways Counting Daisies, who I trained myself, is a 13.2hh pony and is currently competing with a friend. She is a once-in-a-lifetime pony. Sadly, I grew out of her before I could compete her at the top.

Trainer: I have been taught by Luke Campbell at Applemount Sport Horses for over seven years. Not only is he coaching me, he is also training Hanson who is seeing continuous positive results.

Who has been your greatest influence so far? This has been my mum, Sorcha Fitzpatrick.

The rider you most look up to and why: Dani G. Waldman, not only for her show jumping, but also for inspiring us all to express ourselves and love ourselves for who we are. She is unique and always spreading positivity.

Your biggest achievements to date: This was back in October when I had my first double-clear at 1.20m with Newmarket Trooper. It wasn’t a win, but it is such an amazing memory to look back on and it makes me so happy. At the start of last year I strayed a bit from show jumping and started eventing.

In 2019, I came third in Scotland Regional Championships eventing with Blackhill Border Fox in a team and after that I wanted to continue eventing. During lockdown I was preparing for the eventing season which sadly never came – and then I found Newmarket Trooper. Once we bought Trooper, I immediately got back into show jumping.

Last year was a weird year to say the least and we missed out on a lot. Being 14, I love fashion, so I miss picking outfits for shows. I like clothes that are functional, fashionable and comfortable, so I like Kingsland Equestrian gear the best and I wish I had more opportunities to wear it. I also miss getting Trooper all dolled up for shows! He is so gorgeous so when we have a show, he has to be picture perfect and I love getting him ready. But what I miss most from last year is time. I wish I had more time to event Blackhill Border Fox and I wish I had more time to be with Trooper. Other than that, I have to say, 2020 was an eye-opening year for me and when I look at the positive side, I have gained so much knowledge and happiness and for that I am grateful and I look forward to competing in young riders.

Niamh Fitzpatrick was in conversation with Emer Bermingham