MOLLY O’Connor (16) from Seaforde, Co Down, began her riding career at Tullymurry Equestrian Centre, Clough, near Downpatrick in 2017, at the age of nine. By June 2018, Molly’s parents had bought her first pony, a 13hh bay gelding called Glider and she joined East Down Pony Club.

In November 2020, Molly’s Dad, Paul O’Connor, bought then 10-year-old Coolnaleen Rebel (known as Todd at home) and, just a few short months later in May 2021, they did their first Eventing Ireland event. Todd is a traditionally-bred Irish Sport Horse by the Irish Draught stallion Rebel Mountain out of Crested Ten Lady (TB) and was bred by Noeleen Redmond.

Molly and Todd were a great team and did very well together at regional, national and international level competitions. They made quite an impression on selector Jane Kinsella and were chosen to be part of the Pony Eventing High Performance squad.

They were then selected to be on the squad of six athletes to represent Ireland at the 2023 FEI European Championships for Ponies held at Le Mans, France, from July 27th to 30th.

“’Todd’ took me from my first event to my first two-star and now my first ever championship!” said Molly, prior to going to France.

Molly and her teammates had a great start to the competition and were in the lead after dressage, closely followed by France and Germany. The cross-country phase proved influential, with top combinations picking up faults and Ireland finishing third to claim the bronze medal. Molly finished in 15th place individually. What a fantastic achievement to bring home a medal from her first championship and first team appearance for Ireland!

Molly has made an impression with equine businesses too and is currently sponsored by Overlander, Hoofprint Innovations, Fomo back protectors and Tredstep. Her coaches are Terry Boon (Dressage), Ian Fearon (Show Jumping) and Joseph Murphy (Cross-Country).

What age are you now – are you out of ponies?

I turned 16 in November and I’m now out of ponies, so I’ll be competing in Juniors this year, hoping to make the Junior European squad with Alcatraz, who I have ridden for the past few months.

Molly and Coolnaleen Rebel (known as Todd at home) in action cross-country

Why did you choose eventing?

I love the buzz of the cross-country and having to be good at the three phases. With eventing, you get a whole day or three days of competing, where in show jumping or dressage you are competing for five or 10 minutes and you’re finished.

Who are your role models?

The person I look up to the most in the world of eventing would be Boyd Martin (American three-time Olympic eventer), as I think he is an amazing rider and has an amazing partnership with all his horses.

What horses do you currently have?

Alcatraz, a 16.2hh 19-year-old KWPN gelding, by Cartier van de Heffinck, out of Tennessee, owned by Dr Sarah Hughes, who lives in America. I have been riding Alcatraz since I came back from the Pony Europeans, with a plan to qualify for selection for the Junior Europeans.

After searching for a second horse, I am now also riding another of Dr Sarah Hughes’ horses, Shannondale Micah, a 16.1hh seven-year-old chesnut gelding, which arrived just before Christmas. My aim with him is to get our MERs (minimum eligibility requirements) for the Europeans - we are very excited about him!

Todd, wearing the bronze medal that he and Molly helped the Irish team to win at the 2023 FEI European Championships for Ponies at Le Mans, France last July

What have you been doing with them over the winter months?

I have been taking Alcatraz to show jumping and dressage competitions over the winter, keeping my eye in for March when the eventing season starts.

Micah has been out doing some dressage, show jumping and cross-country clinics in preparation for the season starting.

I see a pony of yours recently made the top price in Clifden… Have you any other nice youngsters to note?

I have a beautiful King of Mourne four-year-old mare, who is currently being broken. We have had her from a foal and she is currently 16hh.

What are your plans for the season ahead?

I plan to compete for a spot on the Junior European squad and do my first 115 and possibly a three-star, if rules allow.

Are you still at school?

Yes, I am in my GCSE year – fifth form at school.

What are your plans for education/ career?

I am unsure of my plans, but I will not be returning to school for sixth form.

What are your Mum and Dad’s backgrounds in horses? Do they both ride and/or compete?

Both my parents rode horses; that is how they met...

Mum and Dad met at Lewis Lowry’s yard, where my Dad was teaching and my Mum’s pony was kept there.

My Dad, Paul, rode since he was 10 and hunted with East Down Foxhounds. My Mum, Tina, had great success in ponies and show jumped and evented up to novice level. She made a smooth transition to horses and continued to compete, eventing up to novice level and, in dressage, she also rode up to novice level.

Mum only stopped competing in dressage in 2020, mainly because of the time she has devoted to my eventing, between coaching sessions and travelling around the country for competitions!

Mum helps me keep the horses in top fitness by hacking and going to the gallops.

Considering you have already ridden for Ireland, what is your next ambition?

My next ambition is to compete at the Junior Europeans and to do a three-star event.

Have you any stories to share from your eventing experiences so far?

Some of my highlights in eventing have been winning Ballindenisk’s two-star pony class on Todd, as we had worked so hard on show jumping to get it right and, going in on the last day, in first place, to the show jumping and to get the clear round, just felt like everything I had worked for came together at the right time.

Another highlight was meeting my two lifelong friends, Connie Cullen and Eimhear Donaghy, as they have been with me from nearly the start of my eventing career and we are there for each other, no matter the ups or downs!

The role I had as Youth Ambassador for Eventing Ireland in 2023 has come to an end, but it really has been the most fantastic experience and has given me a lot of confidence in myself. I would like to wish the new 2024 ambassador the best of luck and I can’t wait to follow their story.

Is there anyone, who has been particularly supportive that you would like to mention?

There are a few people that I would like to express sincere thanks to. Within the Northern Region, I have really appreciated the support of Joseph Murphy - even if he can’t be with me when I’m away competing, he will always send me messages or rings my Dad with words of support and encouragement and tells me to keep focused on the plan.

He understands my mind when I’m in the competitive zone! And he is always there for me - even when he was in hospital, he was ringing to see how I had done.

Other people who have helped me so much in the sport are Dora Beacom, who deserves thanks for her encouragement and endless dedication to Eventing Ireland Northern Region; Donal O’Brien of Hoofprints Innovations, who has championed me from the moment I met him; Scruffy Joe, of course and Dr Sarah Hughes, who has so generously given me two amazing horses to compete on.

We wish Molly all the best in her endeavours to get to the Junior Europeans and to do that three-star!