Limerick woman competes in milestone event at Wellington Horse Trials

LIMERICK woman Danielle Magner who is based in a horse eventing yard in the UK, recently completed in her first three-star event at Wellington Horse trials. 

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It was a milestone event for the Kilfinane native, now based in West Sussex, who was riding at a three-star event for the first time. 

Danielle recounts how she got interested in the sport, her first horse and the first events she competed in as a young rider.

"When I was 12, I got my first proper horse, Woodfield Boomerang, or Jess. Honestly, as a family we had no clue what we were doing — my parents weren’t horsey at all — but Jess didn’t mind. She was wild, a little insane, but she was also the most amazing first horse I could have asked for.

She won everything. Pony Club events, the national eventing circuit, and when I was 16, she even took me to my first international at Tattersalls. She had never competed at that level herself, yet she carried me there and gave me the confidence I needed. Jess is the reason I love this sport so much. She’s now retired at home on the farm, and I’ll always owe her everything."

After finishing school in 2020, Danielle moved to Germany for just under a year, an experienced that opened her eyes to so much more in the world of riding. From falls, injuries, knocks to confidence and being away from home, it wasn't always smooth sailing for the 24-year-old.

"I learned that I could get on any horse, no matter the type, and find a way to make the best out of them. I also discovered what I love most: the quirky ones. The difficult ones. I get such satisfaction from figuring them out, building a bond, and finding out what makes them tick."

When Dannielle arrived home, she found the balance between her studies and riding difficult, admitting sometimes it felt 'impossible.'

"When I came home, I started college and spent four years studying for a Law and Accounting degree. Balancing riding with my studies wasn’t easy — sometimes it felt impossible — but horses were always my anchor.

No matter how stressful exams were, once I was in the saddle, the pressure faded away. In the end, I was proud to graduate, knowing I had kept both my education and my passion for eventing alive."

Having made the move across the Irish Sea in recent times to be based with Olympian Gemma Stevens has been 'a complete shock to the system.'

"Most recently, I moved to the UK to be based with five-star winning rider and Olympian Gemma Stevens. The yard here has been a complete shock to the system — in the best way possible. The attention to detail, the standard of care, and the finesse in how everything is done is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. I’m learning so much every day, not just about riding but also about managing and maintaining top-level horses.

"From a little girl pretending to ride Burghley on Caddy, to my first international with Jess, to Germany, to college, and now to competing Oreo (Dannielle's current horse) at three-star international level — it’s been a journey full of highs, lows, and lessons but one thing has never changed, my love for eventing and I know I’m only just getting started."