Sporting profile: Molly o’Connor

Molly O’Connor, a young event rider from Loughinisland, is currently Youth Ambassador for Eventing Ireland and together with Coolnaleen rebel recently won the prestigious Hillcrest 110p in Limerick! We caught up with Molly in-between competitions

Molly told EDA Media : “ Hillcrest 110p was Todd’s (Coolnaleen Rebel’s) third run of the season and he felt amazing going into the dressage after working hard at home with Terry Boon we got a 31.3 so there is definitely loads more room for improvement!

Showjumping wouldn’t be Todd’s best phase but after a winter of hard work with Ian Fearon he is much improved and jumped a lovely clear with no time faults which kept us in the lead going into Cross Country. Todd flew around the course not looking at anything and taking everything in his stride to come home clear and 14 seconds inside the time to bring home a lovely win!”

Tell us about your support Team?

“We prepared for each of our events by having a dressage lessons every week after school with Terry Boon and then going to Ian (Fearon) for showjumping. I also train with Joseph Murphy to keep my ponies fit and to keep the Xc lines on point! We also have Heather McReynolds out regularly to have a check-up on them to make sure they are all comfortable.

I would like to thank Terry Boon and Ian Fearon and Joseph Murphy and Heather McReynolds for keeping all my ponies on top form. Thanks also to Overlander for sponsoring me and providing me with stylish horse transport.

Donal from hoofprints innovation is always spoiling me with goodies to keep me and my ponies comfortable! Check out my lovely tech stirrups and my very comfortable and light fomo back protector! Irish Eventing Times are always there to catch me in the dressage and xc and showjumping and capturing amazing pictures & videos which are just great memories to have. I would like to thank Eventing Ireland for all the opportunities they have giving me as a youth brand ambassador and for all the amazing events they hold!”

How do you handle the pressure of competing at such a high standard?

“I try to tell myself that I’m not nervous and try to remember that all the training myself and my ponies have put in will work and that I just need to trust that – trusting in my own riding abilty and the abilities of my ponies is paramount . When I am getting ready I like to take that time to listen to music so it keeps me distracted from thinking about being nervous.”

What’s the one event you’d like to compete in and win?

“I would love to go back to Blair Castle as it was just such an amazing experience and venue it would just be like a dream to win at Blair as they put so much effort into every little detail.”

Tell us about your current team of ponies?

David Crymble and Sons - Family Owned, Family Managed, Family Values

David Crymble and Sons is an independent family funeral director with a high standard of personal service.

For the last thirty years, our family have lived on Cregagh Road, and we are actively involved in local Church`s and within the local community. Our main Funeral home is located on Upper Lisburn Road, Finaghy. Our second funeral home is located on Woodstock Road, Belfast.

We have a great desire always to give Families a personal service. We see the role of a Funeral Director as a privileged one. This includes a commitment to assist you sensitively in coping with bereavement whilst supporting you with professional funeral arrangements and memorial services. We are a small family-run Funeral director with a high standard of personal service.

David has been in the funeral profession for over 30 years. He previously worked for James Brown and Sons and James Elwood and Sons before becoming independent in 2004.

David`s son Andrew has also been involved in the funeral profession since the age of eighteen, working for James Brown and Sons and James Elwood and Sons and in the family business.

Our team, which consists of David, Andrew, Stephen, Peter and Selwyn, are here to serve you 24 hours a day. A home visit can be arranged if you are housebound or have difficulties getting to our office. Call us today on (028) 9066 7784 or see www.crymbleandsons.com

Family Owned, Family Managed, Family Values

“My pony Todd is just my one in a million he try’s is best in everything he does and always keeps me safe going out xc and I have no doubt in him at all and he has just got the most sweetest and funny personality in the stable and never puts a foot wrong. Patch is such a lovely mare she just loves to please everyone the swishy tail just shows how much she loves her job and he ears are always forward - she is never ever ‘marish!’ “

What’s up next?

“At the moment I am looking forward to my next big event which will be Millstreet in early June.

I am so excited to take both ponies Todd (Coolnaleen Rebel) and Patch (Fernhill Mix and Match) as it has such good ground and a lovely course which you can tell they take so much time into every little detail . The feeling of going into the big arena is just amazing!”

What advice do you have for others wanting to compete like this?

“My advice to others competing is just to have fun! I think we all get so worried about our nerves that we forget to have fun. Each event is about making the best memories with your ‘pony partner’ and that is what horse riding is all about!

You also make a lot of strong friendships in the horse world with people sharing the same journey and can make great memories of good and bad days.”