NORTHUMBERLAND-based Martha Jobling-Purser could have joined her equestrian friends in a bid to represent Britain but, instead, decided to follow in the footsteps of her great-aunt and line-out for Ireland.

Juliet Jobling-Purser competed internationally for this country in both eventing and show jumping and was best-placed of the Irish when, riding Jenny, she finished seventh individually in the eventing competition at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City.