Lucy started competing while in the Pony Club and then progressed through juniors, young riders and onto seniors. She had great success at all levels becoming a triple gold medallist and representing Ireland as a senior. She became Open European Three Day Event Champion 1995 - 1997.Lucy competed at Badminton nine times with her best placing of eighth and never being out of the top 20. She was awarded the Armada Dish for successfully completing on five separate occasions. Lucy has competed at most major International Three Day Events and being a BE accredited trainer spends most of time training here and abroad.

What would you do if you didn’t work with horses? I love art and considered a career in fine art, but my art teacher thought I would be frustrated by the lack of interaction and I’d miss the adrenalin rush of competing.

Why did you decide to go into eventing? The decision was entirely made by the horse I was sitting on, the Countryman. I did JA jumping and pure dressage as a young rider and then had a horse that loved going x-country. Eventing was the obvious route, honing three skills.

What is it you enjoy about training other riders? The privilege of trying to make the unique combination of horse and rider work in total harmony. The challenge of helping the rider to learn to speak horse and the horse to understand human.

How old were you when you first started competing? I remember falling off in my first gymkhana on the lead rein at the age of five. My dad was very competitive with the other fathers but never noticed my naughty pony, Acorn, was bucking.

Who has the best yard you’ve visited? The horses look happy, the yard is clean and tidy and the staff are happy and cheerful – I can list many yards I visit like this.

What was the last thing you bought a ticket for? A days racing at Lingfield for some friends down from Scotland, we also went to London to see The War Horse.

When was the last time you mucked out? Today in fact, as I have some new horses coming in next month and I wanted to make sure the stables were perfect for them. 

Who is the person who inspires you the most? My father, a very well respected doctor, now retired, and international oarsman (rower). I believe I get my drive and compassion from him. 

Who's horse would you like to own? Who wouldn’t want to have a sit on Totilas, but from an event riders perspective La Biosthetique Sam would be a dream.

What do you think of the eventing in 2012 being held at Greenwich park?  Greenwich will be the most fabulous promotion of horse sport, but I just hope there is enough room for all the passionate supporters to get seats and tickets.

When did you last kick yourself? I do all the time, the moment you think you know enough you are probably out of touch.

How do you relax? I love cooking, spending time with my dogs and I read a ridiculous variety of books.

Who is the one to watch this year? An impossible question, knowing eventing relies on horse and rider being at their peak at the right time. Pippa Funnell and Redesigned look threatening, I always preferred it if she was not in my section!

What is your greatest achievement to date? Winning the Open Europeans on Welton Romance is a memory I will never forget. More recently, designing and organising the build on my new little cottage, each room has great memories as four very special horses used to live in it.

What is your top tip for H&C website visitors? Never be too proud or too embarrassed to ask for help, and only compete on horses that like the job.

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Who would you like us to spend Ten Minutes in the Tack Room with? Email webeditor@horseandcountry.tv