KARNEVAL or Carnival. Normally, this pre-Lent festival takes place around this time and around the world, from Germany, where it originated, to New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro. The spelling may vary, however for Tom Foley, Carnival never varies. It’s always a reminder of Switzerland.

“I remember when l was there in Switzerland, there were carnivals every weekend around this time of year. They told me it was celebrating the going of winter and welcoming the spring,” said Foley, who, like a multitude of Irish riders, went working with horses on the Continent, armed with a copy of The Irish Field.