EAST Donegal horse breeder Amelia McFarland enjoyed double celebrations in her debut at Horse Sport Ireland’s Development Series.
McFarland took home the first and second prize in the Class 3 – Confined Class Preliminary at Thurles on October 3rd. Her four-year-old homebreds, Kingston Rua (1st) and Kingston Olive (2nd), have been foaled, reared and trained at Dunmore in Carrigans.
After coming top in her level, McFarland qualifies for the series final in Abbotstown on 1st November.
Amelia McFarland at the HSI Autumn Development Series 2020 in Thurles, 3rd October 2020
“Winning was a dream come true,” McFarland tells Donegal Daily/ Donegal Sport Hub.
When not in the arena, McFarland runs the Dunmore Gardens wedding and events venue. Lockdown had a silver lining, as it gave her time to break in Kingston Rua and Kingston Olive and prepare them for the Horse Sport Ireland Autumn Development Series. Kingston Rua is out of Tulibard Shakira (Clintino mare) by Furstenball and Kingston Olive is out of Astoria (Limerick mare) by Sir Donnerhall.
“The competition itself highlights Irish-bred horses, and was made for my two,” McFarland said.
“I was so proud of them. There is very strong competition in the final but we’ll go down and do our best. Fingers crossed Abbotstown will go ahead now. I have been very mindful about travel and being safe.”
Amelia McFarland at the HSI Autumn Development Series 2020 in Thurles, 3rd October 2020