The journey to the Horse Sport Ireland foal championship began in the early 90’s when my Mum bought me a three-year-old old pony called Patch. Patch was everything a child needed in a pony – she was kind, genuine and 100% honest in every way.

We went all over the country together with the Scarteen Pony Club and hunted every weekend for years.

She taught more kids to ride than I can remember. My late father Des was a great judge of a horse and was practical when it came to fitness for purpose.

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The realisation for him that she was a special pony was when we were out hunting in Knocklong one day and my mum and sister Sabrina got stuck on one side of a drain and he and I were on the far side. I’m sure he thought I’d slow him down but Patch had a thing or two to teach him.

We jumped the best of Scarteen banks over the years and Patch was in her element.

She had scope and intelligence, two qualities which often don’t travel together in horses.

But she was more than just a brilliant child’s pony, beneath the white face and the feathered legs she had excellent conformation, depth of body and good bone.

It was around the late 1990s when dad and Joe O’Donoghue started standing thoroughbred stallions in Joe’s stud in Knockainey. Mum and dad were always involved in breeding. Since Patch was never going to leave our family, we put her in foal to one of dad and Joe’s thoroughbred stallions.

I think her first foal was by Son of Sharp Shot and it was her only colt.

An ant on an elephant

Over the years she produced five foals, all by thoroughbred stallions owned by dad and Joe.

It is a special feeling competing horses where you own both parents.

Dad and Joe were so particular on conformation and soundness so the stallions they had were all lovely free movers with good conformation.

At 25, Patch even started my own son Henry off riding when he was 18 months. They are treasured memories for me – he was like an ant on an elephant.

She passed away at home aged 27 in 2016.

Her most successful progeny were probably full-sisters Angel Delight and Crecora Angel, by Muharib.

We had great times travelling around the country with Mini, it was more than rosettes, it was fun

Dunangel was her last foal and she is showjumping in the UK, I think the aim with her is Horse of the Year Show 2019 so hopefully I’ll get a trip over in October!

Angel Delight (Mini) was produced by Paul O’Neill and his daughter Maeve in Clare.

They had great success in the show ring, Pony Club and hunting with the Co Clare’s.

She was the Working Hunter Pony of the Year in 2009 and has won countless classes and championships.

We had great times travelling around the country with Mini, it was more than rosettes, it was fun.

Her full-sister Crecora Angel (Pippa) followed a similar path and was Working Hunter Pony of the year in 2015 and 2016 with Annie Twomey.

Pippa is with the Moore family up in Northern Ireland now and is adding more accolades to her performance record.

Both of those mares are ‘Select’ mares in the Irish Sport Horse studbook.

I always wanted to keep the line going and so when Mini was finished up with Paul I put her in foal to the European Eventing Championships pony stallion Mr Hale Bob.

He is ISH approved and has a hoard of gold medals to his name. I wanted to breed ponies for my own kids to ride. I was delighted to get a filly foal by Mr Hale Bob.

Crystal ball

Just in case the kids were more inclined to go down the show jumping route I thought I’d better breed a jumper too!

So I went to the European gold and bronze show jumping medalist stallion Machno Carwyn last year and got a fabulous colt foal.

Sabrina saw an advert for the Horse Sport Ireland foal championship and sent it on.

I thought my foal, Tonto (Machno Apachee), could do well, he’s an impressive mover and has a cheeky attitude.

The most important thing for me has always been to look at my mare and think about what I wanted to produce, they have to be able to be ridden by a child and I know that with this dam line they will be

I’d never showed him but I liked the idea of a class that wasn’t based solely on looks but on the ability of a foal to mature and to perform to the highest level.

Joe foaled Mini and was the first person to see Tonto, so he was the perfect person to bring when we made the trip up to Cavan and I was delighted to be crowned reserve champion in the show jumping colt pony foal final.

The most important thing for me has always been to look at my mare and think about what I wanted to produce, they have to be able to be ridden by a child and I know that with this dam line they will be.

It can be very difficult for breeders. You would need a crystal ball really, you’re trying to breed something that is a good mover, good conformation, good looking and can perform, never mind being fashionable as well.

For us it’s a team effort: Mum bought the foundation mare, dad got her and her offspring in foal and Joe foaled them all, I just turn up for the glory! We will go with the ponies wherever they take the kids.

I’ll keep the line going for my kids and hopefully they will have an interest in riding and/or breeding and will keep it going for another generation.

Sandara Barnwell was in conversation with Susan Finnerty.