KINSALE native Alice Copithorne has been making a name for herself, not only as a five-star event rider in recent years, but also as a producer of Traditional Irish Horses for the show ring and sport. Last year, she jumped clear cross-country at both Lumuhlen and Pau with Fort Arthur Little Dolly (West Coast Cavalier x Kasmayo) to secure two CCI5* completions, as well as winning the traditional Irish-bred working hunter class at the Dublin Horse Show with Margaret Walsh’s then five-year-old mare Kilkeany Breeze (Munther x Coolcorran Cool Diamond).

“Kilkeany Breeze was bred by her owners, Margaret and Jacqueline Walsh, and I had her for them first in the winter,” says Alice. “I hunted her a few days then, and when she came back to me last year it was all about gearing up for Dublin. She was sold afterwards; she’s gone up north to a lady doing side saddle. I’ve never sold a horse directly out of Dublin, though having competed there looks great on their record. Especially for young horses, even if they don’t get placed or anything, having videos of them riding in that atmosphere is always very good to sell a horse.”