Name: Grace McHugh

Age: 19

Address: Donadea, Co. Kildare.

Parents: Helen and Michael McHugh

Where are you based and what are your top horses: I am currently based in a yard in Donadea near Donadea forest. My top horse is my own Berlios Van De Kapel. He is a 12-year-old Dutch-bred gelding by Quasimodo Z out of a Gladstone mare. We are competing at 1.40m Grand Prix level and we qualified for the RDS Dublin Horse Show the last two years in the YR 1.25/1.30m class. I also ride other horses for owners, including Harley Queen, a five-year-old mare by Harlequin competing at 1.20m level, and I am presently looking to get aligned with a few young horses for next season.

Trainer: I have trained with some of the best trainers in the country and each of them have contributed to my success. I am currently undergoing my HSI Level 1 coaching course as I have developed a keen interest in coaching.

Academy mentor: My mentor in the academy is Olive Clarke. I am studying International Business in Maynooth University and I hope to start up my own show jumping yard when I graduate. I am very grateful to have Olive to guide me as to how I might achieve this goal. I have always admired the way Olive rides and her ability to compete on both young horses as well as Grand Prix horses. I look forward to the season ahead working with Olive and I hope to gain as much knowledge as possible during this time.

Major achievements so far: My greatest achievement to date is winning a Team Silver Medal at the European Pony Championships in Millstreet in 2014. I have also qualified seven pony/horses for the RDS over the last number of years. I have represented Ireland abroad at international shows including BIP Fontainebleau, Lichtenvoorde, Opglabbleek, Neeroeteren, Hagen and Hengelo.

Goals: My goals are to set up and run my own show jumping yard. I hope to breed and produce young horses to compete and sell and compete my Grand Prix horses. My dream is to win on the Aga Khan team some day and to jump at as many five-star Nations Cup shows as possible.

Key things learnt from the academy: The main thing I have learnt from the academy, which is very relevant for me, is how to run a show jumping business and be successful. We have received some very inspirational and educational lectures from people who are very established within the industry. We have also learnt about the smaller things that get pushed to the side including things like insurance and rules required within the industry.

Things that would help the industry in Ireland: In my opinion, more emphasis should be put on national tracks being like international tracks. This includes the time allowed and the metres per minute to be covered. I feel that if we spent more time perfecting this at home, it would make our lives easier when we get to the international shows and are faced with these technicalities.

Grace McHugh was in conversation with Emer Bermingham