MAGENNIS, the 2002 Limmerick gelding who has been a regular starter on the Irish eventing scene since making his debut at Ballindenisk in late September 2006, was retired from the sport following his second place finish in the Southern Fuel & Farm Supplies CCI2*-S at the same Co Cork venue last weekend.

“I bought him as a three-year-old,” said Co Down’s Jim Newsam who partnered the bay on his debut and up until early August 2014 when he began sharing the ride with his wife, Emma. “Carol (Hawthorne) bought into him in about 2013/’14 and has been involved ever since, following him everywhere.

“He took us to internationals at home, around Britain – including Badminton – and on continental Europe. We also competed at the 2013 European Championships in Malmo, Sweden, where he jumped a double clear.

“Emma wasn’t riding him that long when I borrowed him back to win the CCI3* at Ballindenisk in September 2018. When she took over for good in 2021, the plan was to drop him right down the levels but he was so good in himself that Emma first thought she would like to do a three-star on him. They did three CCI3*-S competitions in 2021 and then two CCI4-S* classes last year. They competed at four events this season, winning an EIP110 (Open) at Tyrella in April.

“We thought it was time to retire him from eventing this year and there can’t have been a better place to do so than here at the weekend. He is fit and well in himself, is looking and feeling great and, as he loves going to shows, he will do some SJI 1.10m and 1.20m competitions until he tells us he has had enough. I’m riding a smart Tyson six-year-old for Carol at present named Tullybee Louie and hopefully he’ll step up to fill Magennis’ shoes.”