IN writing recent features for the Irish Horse World, Margie McLoone has been struck by the number of riders who have come into equestrian sports despite being from non-horsey backgrounds.

Not too surprised to discover that these people started off at their local riding schools, she encountered a first this week when compiling the Maddybenny feature (see pages 62-63) as Eavan White (née McCoy) learned to ride thanks to the Cross and Passion nuns!