In a country such as our own, the upper echelons of equestrian sport can be notoriously difficult to break into. The depth of Irish talent across the levels in all of the main disciplines is staggering and you can be sure that those who rise to the top are truly exceptional athletes. One such rider is 33-year-old event rider Felicity Ward, who is based in Kanturk, Co Cork.

Felicity first began to emerge on the international scene in 2016, when she represented Ireland at a Nations Cup event in Boekelo, Holland, riding a horse called The Illusionist. At that time, she was also producing a young horse called Regal Bounty. Two years later, Regal Bounty took Felicity to the FEI WBFSH Eventing World Championship for Young Horses in Le Lion D’Angers, France. Three years after that, Felicity and Regal Bounty again represented Ireland in the Nations Cup competition at Boekelo, and from here the only way was up. In 2022, the duo finished 15th at their first 5* event in Luhmuhlen, Germany, and they were then called up to represent Ireland at the European Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy. In 2023, horse and rider again finished in 15th place at Luhmuhlen before being given a place on the Irish team at the World Equestrian Games at Haras du Pin, France.

I asked Felicity about her meteoric rise from pony-mad girl to competing at The World Equestrian Games.

“Neither of my parents were horsey at all, so it’s maybe unusual that both myself and my sister Antonia have ended up riding!” She laughs. “I was lucky enough to grow up surrounded by people who kept horse care and horsemanship at the forefront. Peter and Paul O’Hynes, the Kinsella family and the Muskerry Pony Club instilled into me a duty of care and of understanding the horse, which I will always be grateful for. I just love the whole process with horses, there are no short cuts or excuses. I knew back then that I wanted horses in my life.”

Cross country

A trip to Blarney Horse Trials as a young girl first ignited Felicity’s interest in the sport of eventing. “I had never really thought about trying eventing until then. I remember watching William Fox-Pitt riding Tamarillo around the cross country course, and I was in awe of the bravery and the trust that the horse had, jumping those massive fences. Watching them show jump the following day, I saw the accuracy required to jump clear on a tired horse. William rode a masterful round to take the win, and the cheers from the crowd were memorable. I knew then that I wanted to experience that for myself.”

Felicity set up at home in Kanturk five years ago, after spending time working in yards both at home and abroad. Gaining much valuable experience gave Felicity the confidence to go out by herself, and she is quick to credit the team around her for their support: “There are many people involved here who make the yard a success; between my family, my owners, my friends and everyone who works with us, we have a great crew. Everyone connected to us in both the background and the forefront have played a role in my success. In this sport, you cannot do it alone. It takes huge support, relentless hours and an unwavering drive to succeed. There are many bad days, testing times and moments where you fail, but you must keep going. It is during the tough times that your support team is most important. You have got to ask for help when you need it, and you have to remember to laugh, too.”

Stand out moments

Regal Bounty has proved to be a dream equine partner for Felicity: “He has exceeded all expectations, and he continues to do so! I am so grateful to his owner James O’Callaghan, who has trusted me with his special horse from the beginning. Regal Bounty has taken us to places that we never thought possible. I have had many stand out moments with him, but a real highlight was finishing clear inside the time at Luhmuhlen 5* event this year. It isn’t easily achieved, and I was immensely proud of how the horse performed.”

Felicity also enjoys producing the younger horses, and she has some very exciting prospects for 2024. “I feel such a sense of accomplishment with the youngsters, in how they improve day by day. It is our responsibility to educate them well, with time and patience and without any stress. I am hoping that some of my youngsters will be ready to move up next year. They get a good foundation here, gaining mileage without pressure.”

And what about Regal Bounty in 2024? Felicity smiles and says: “A lot has to go right, but there is Paris to think about!”