23 February 2023 - Flipbook - Page 78
78
HORSEWEEK
FARMWEEK
FEBRUARY 23 2023
CELEBRATION: Guests at Smith Brothers Eventing afternoon
in celebration of 35 years in eventing. (FW08-510NN)
ENJOYABLE: Guests enjoying the afternoon at Ballymac Stables,
standing from left, Eimir Blackmore and Doug Stevenson;
seated from left, John Eakin, Raymond Bready, Diane Harron
Eakin, Tanya Smith and Gina Johnston. (FW08-503NN)
PERFORMANCE PLANS: Compere, Raymond Bready,
discusses high performance training plans with Steven and
Trevor Smith and resident rider, Casey Webb, and Team Hong
Kong rider, Yu Xuan Su. Pictured from left are Casey Webb,
Steven Smith, Yu Xuan Su, Raymond Bready and Trevor Smith.
(FW08-508NN)
Celebrating 35 years in business
with Smith Brothers Eventing
T
REVOR and Steven
Smith
of
Smith
Brothers
Eventing
hosted an afternoon
at Ballymac Stables,
on Sunday, February 12,
at their Centre of Equine
Excellence, in Gilford, in
aid of the Air Ambulance NI
(AANI).
A variety of guests from the
equestrian world gathered
to enjoy an informal day
of
demonstrations
and
networking,
compered
by
renowned
equine
commentator
and
AANI
Board Member, Raymond
Bready.
The afternoon at the Smiths’
Ballymac Stables provided
a unique insight into their
operation, both as a unique
setting for the production
and training of horses to
the highest levels of the
sport of eventing, and as a
High Performance Centre of
Excellence for those wishing
to base, train and compete
with the team.
Demos
were
held
throughout the afternoon,
with candid commentary
from Steven and Trevor
Smith, who shared amusing
and informative accounts
of a lifetime’s experience in
horses.
Resident
international
rider, Casey Webb, whose
progression through the
sport has been managed by
the Smiths, from Pony Club
Level, as an Irish Young
Rider at European level and
in the Irish Senior Team,
showcased a selection of
her horses. These ranged
from young prospects she
hopes will qualify for Young
Event Horse classes at this
year’s Dublin Horse Show,
to four-star horses that the
team is hopeful will compete
at international level this
coming season.
Casey said: “Today is a
DRESSAGE: Smith Brothers Eventing resident international
rider, Casey Webb, rides ‘April’s Pacino Time’, in a demo taught
by renowned international dressage judge, Alan Dewhurst, with
commentary by compere Raymond Bready. (FW08-504NN)
PICTURES: courtesy of Tori O’Connor
great opportunity to show
the quality of horses we are
producing at Smith Brothers.
I am very fortunate to have
a really supportive team of
owners behind me.”
High
performance
international athlete, Yu
Xuan Su, has been based at
Ballymac Stables with his
three horses since December
2022. Yu Xuan hopes to
achieve a top result as part
of Team Hong Kong at the
2023 Asian Games, taking
place in Huangzhou, China,
on September 23 - October 9.
Renowned
international
dressage
judge,
Alan
Dewhurst, who had flown
over from England for the
day, provided an informative
lesson during the dressage
demo with riders Casey Webb
and Yu Xuan Su. Yu Xuan
explained his motivation for
moving to Northern Ireland
to be based at Smith Brothers
Eventing.
He said: “I decided to make
the move from England to
train with Smith Brothers
due to their reputation for
training riders to the highest
levels. The facilities here are
superb and I am confident I
ASPIRATIONS: Compere, Raymond Bready discusses the
hopes and aspirations of Team Hong Kong high-performance
athlete, Yu Xuan Su, for the upcoming 2023 Asian Games with
trainer, Steven Smith. Pictured from left are Yu Xuan Su on
his horse ‘All Or Nothing’, Raymond Bready and Steven Smith.
(FW08-509NN)
will get the very best out of
my horses with the constant
support from Trevor and
Steven and the wider team at
Ballymac Stables.”
Smith Brothers Eventing
works closely with the
College
of
Agriculture,
Food and Rural Enterprise
(CAFRE),
Enniskillen,
enabling
students
on
the
Young
Professional
Programme to enrol in the
BHS Equine Apprenticeship.
Students from the Smith
Brothers Eventing ‘Young
Professional
Programme’
participated
in
demos
showcasing the riding skills
they have learned under the
Smith Brothers’ tutelage.
Amongst these students
were Stage 3 BHS Equine
Apprentice and recent winner
of the Three-Star Winter
Tour at Portmore, Hollie
Smith; young Irish rider and
2021 leading junior in the
Eventing Ireland Northern
Region, Sarah O’Shea; and
upcoming event rider Myah
McClean, who plans to make
her Eventing Ireland debut in
2023.
The Young Professional
Programme is aimed at a
variety of students, including
international
students
wishing to base and train
at Smith Brothers and
ambitious young equestrians
wishing to achieve formal
qualifications, whilst gaining
practical experience working
on a professional yard.
Jenny Richardson, Lecturer
in Equine at CAFRE (The
College
of
Agriculture,
Food and Rural Enterprise,
explained: “The BHS Equine
Apprenticeship at CAFRE
provides students with a
unique opportunity to achieve
formal qualifications, whilst
gaining practical experience
in a work environment. It is
a starting point for taking
qualifications to coach in the
future and provides valuable
opportunities for forging
professional
links
with
other equestrians working
in Northern Ireland and
beyond.”
The final demo of the
day included a parade
and discussion around a
selection of horses, including
four-year-olds
and
fourstar horses, currently being
produced by the Smith
Brothers. Respected show
horse producer and longterm owner and friend of
the Smiths, Terry Johnston,
provided
an
insightful
commentary
throughout
this demo on characteristics
that make a successful
event horse. Terry’s horse,
‘Strangford’, who continues
to be produced at Smith
Brothers
Eventing,
was
second in the Five-Year-Old
Young Event Horse at the
2022 Dublin Horse Show,
ridden by Steven Smith.
Steven Smith explained:
“Bringing out the very best
in every horse that comes
through our doors is what
drives us. We aim to provide
every horse in our care with
the best experience and
education we possibly can.
As you can see, our horses
are confident and happy and
that is what ultimately leads
to results and success.”
Trevor Smith said: “We
are delighted to have so
many of our current owners,
clients, fellow equestrians,
new friends and sponsors
here with us today. We get
such a sense of satisfaction
from watching event riders
and horses that have come
TEAMWORK: The team at Smith Brothers Eventing, from left,
Steven Smith, Hollie Smith, Yu Xuan Su, Myah McLean, Sarah
O’Shea, Trevor Smith, Becky Anstey, Casey Webb and Joe
Marley. (FW08-505NN)
through our programme
succeed. It’s great to see so
many of them here under
one roof and to have this
opportunity to reflect on
our shared experiences and
hopes for the future.
“We have an exceptional
team of owners for which
we are very thankful. Having
enjoyed some great days in
the sport over the years as
competitors, it is our priority
now to help others achieve
their ambitions.”
Owners Caroline Overend
and Carla Leith said: “We
came to Smith Brothers as
first-time owners in 2020. The
team at Ballymac has taken us
on a journey that culminated
in our horse, ‘Alfie’, winning
the 2022 Five-Year-Old Young
Event Horse class at Dublin
Horse Show. It was a day we
will never forget.
“We are looking forward to
bringing our next home’bred
horse to Ballymac later this
year and are very excited
for what the future holds for
him.”
Owners Karen and Eamonn
O’Flynn from Kirkubbin,
SUCCESS: Compere Raymond Bready
discusses breeding and producing successful
event horses with horse producer and
long-term owner with Smith Brothers, Terry
Johnston. (FW08-507NN)
Co Down, said: “Over the
last few years, we have had
three horses with the Smith
Brothers’ team and our
horses have been managed
impeccably. The welcome is
always warm at Ballymac and
they are a very hard-working
team of people, which is
evident in their results.
Trevor, Steven and Casey are
always available to offer help
and support whenever it is
needed.”
Guest, Eimir Blackmore,
mother of Grand National
and Cheltenham Gold Cup
winner Rachael Blackmore,
said: “We really enjoyed
our time as owners with the
Smith Brothers. They are
a thoroughly professional
team who look after every
aspect of a horse’s care to the
highest standard. It was great
to catch up with so many
familiar faces today at such
an interesting event.”
A delicious lunch was
provided by Garreth O’Shea
of Gortrush Food Supplies,
with Steven’s wife, Jenny
Smith, expertly heading up
the catering team.
CAFRE CONNECTION: Current Smith Brothers
Eventing ‘Young Professional Programme’
students, Sarah O’Shea, Hollie Smith,
Myah McClean and Becky Anstey, pictured
with Steven Smith and CAFRE Workplace
Coordinator, Jenny Richardson and Equine
Lecturer, Chris Bogues. (FW08-506NN)