"My little mare jumped her hooves off for me!" - Kildare rider wins national title

Annie Rickard (O’Brien) from Dunnstown claimed the AIRC’S Connolly’s Red Mills RC 70 title after a four-way jump off on Sunday 23rd July in Mullingar Equestrian Centre.

It was the Oakleaf Riding Club rider’s first time to win at the championship on her first attempt with her mare Stunning Sasha.

Annie Rickard (O’Brien) was thrilled with her win and said: “ I’m still pinching myself after the win to make sure it happened.

"My little mare jumped her little hooves off for me and gave a two amazing championship rounds and then a super clear jump off round.

"We have been working hard all year and I have to give credit to my Oakleaf club mate Stephanie McGlynn who has brought my confidence on enormously with our fortnightly club sessions at the RACE Academy in Kildare where she works as a Practical Jockey trainer by day.”

The mother-of-three is married to Derek O’Brien and works as an Executive Assistant for TIO Consulting in Newbridge.