HAILING from one of the country’s most notable equestrian families spanning four generations, and one featuring a plethora of black type names, Rosemary Connors is recognised among the most polished and versatile riders in the country.

A true horsewoman, a show rider and a breeder, she has accumulated numerous titles at the RDS, yet is equally at home on the event track or aboard Cheltenham winning racehorses.

Of course, for the Co Waterford-born Rosemary, horses were in her blood and stories from her childhood reveal a different era. Both her father Nicky, and his brother Mick were well-known horsemen and were intrepid followers of hounds.

Another sibling was the Leicestershire-based Dr Tom Connors who, a legendary figure in the Quorn hunting field, was a renowned dealer of high-class hunters. Those were the days when ‘proper, mannered hunters’ were worth as much as a car, and his skill producing them was fabled.

He was also well-known for his colourful stories and for his medical skills, which were called upon when followers took on one hedge too many. “He was never best pleased if someone took a fall in the middle of a good run though,” said Rosemary, who herself is no slouch when crossing country.

Her uncle Mick was another big dealer, and of course is the father of Francis (Connors) who is rated as one of the most stylish and natural show jumpers of his era.

One of five children born to Nicky and Phil Connors, Rosemary and her siblings grew up at the family home at Bellard, which was a stone’s throw from the original Connors homestead in Park, Stradbally, Co Waterford. Rosemary was the sole member of the quintet to follow the equestrian route in later life, although her sisters were on the periphery.

Her older brother Dermot is the principal of a school in Springs, South Africa, while another, Alan, farms and runs a business at home. Her sister Claire also works outside the sphere, but competes in her spare time and is always on hand to help when things gets busy.

Her other sister, Clodagh, was married to local horseman and producer Martin Curran. Sadly, Clodagh passed away six years ago, but her legacy lives through their 12-year-old daughter Hannah, who as a keen and capable jockey looks set to fly the family flag.

Early memories stem from riding as a toddler, and also falling off. “It was an everyday occurrence,” Rosemary recalls. “I remember being legged up again and falling off again, and again! It was obviously not a very suitable pony, but I thought nothing of it!”

As a youngster, hunting was a focal point of winter life. “I hunted every chance I could. Dad took his own line, so following him was no easy challenge, but you either kept up or got lost! One day I got caught up in wire, but dad kept to his task of following hounds and I was left to my own devices.

“I was probably about eight years old at the time, but after that I made sure I kept close to his heels.” She describes those days hunting as ‘proper days’ when one hardly had to look for wire.

Good memories

Summers were spent show jumping, at pony club, and at camps where the entire Connors clan complete with the cousins, gathered to stay away. “Poor Gillie (Fra’s mum) used to have to wash our jodhpurs every evening as we only had one pair each in those days,” said Rosemary.

Another highlight of those childhood summers was the Dublin Horse Show, and the preparations that accompanied it. “In those days any nice horse on the premises travelled to the RDS. We often took 14 horses, mainly three-and four-year-olds and always came home empty handed.

“I remember when I was about 14 or 15 being sent out into the veterinary paddock (at the RDS) on a quiet horse to sell in front of throngs of dealers/people from all over Europe. You would go out with a plan to walk, trot, then canter around but you would rarely complete a circuit before you would be stopped and asked the price.

“Every horse that went to the RDS in those days got sold to dealers in Europe, and some even to the Moroccan army.”

As years passed, Rosemary was keen to turn her hand to eventing, but as soon as she had a horse ready to run it would be sold. “There were no X-rays then. Although they did go through a rigorous vetting.”

Rosemary cannot remember wanting to follow any other career in life apart from horses. She acknowledged that it was in her blood, but having been diagnosed as asthmatic as a child it was probably not the most suitable of choices.

“I had asthma and eczema which the doctor said was due to allergy to horses. I can hear him saying, ‘this child must never go near a horse again’ and I can remember crying the whole way home.”

Her future path was secured when her mother died unexpectedly. “Mum always wanted me to get a third level education, but when she died it seemed that the right and only path was to help dad producing the horses.”

Rosemary’s trademark professionalism and presentation was a product of her upbringing. “Presentation was a big thing. You would never dream of riding out without cleaning your horse and making sure there was no straw in its tail. Your own boots had to be equally spotless.”

Biggest thrill

Some 20 years ago, Rosemary moved to Woodstown, just a mile from Woodstown beach and its five-furlong, straight stretch of horse friendly sands. Here she has set up her own yard which has focussed on producing young horses alongside a breeding operation.

“I love to breed a horse and watch it develop and hopefully turn into a good looking, athletic horse,” she said. “If it does, it gives a sense of achievement, especially when they progress through the levels.”

One of her biggest thrills to date was breeding, producing and riding Woodfield Indo to win the Supreme Hunter championship at the RDS in 2009. The emotional victory was hard gained however, as earlier in the week an unpleasant, onsite stable related incident jeopardised the gelding’s challenge.

This resulted in an injury requiring stitches, and while withdrawal was an option, the son of Power Blade competed perfectly sound, albeit sore. As Rosemary relates: “He was pulled in first in his class, but he felt the stitches tighten and was demoted to second.

“At that stage I really thought my year’s work was out of the window, and that I was only going into the championship for a gallop round. He pulled it off however, and I was so thankful to the judges who had the gumption to place a second prize winner as the champion.”

Rosemary Connors and Woodfield Indo after winning the supreme hunter championship at the RDS in 2009 \ Tony Parkes

The following year she landed back to back supreme titles with another homebred, Woodfield Valier. The daughter of Lucky Valier was never earmarked for the show ring. “I remember as a foal she had bad hind legs,” Rosemary recalled. “Dad and I used to drive through the youngstock checking them, and when we came to Valerie he would say ‘drive on – I can’t bear to look at those hind legs’.

“Little did we think she would go on to win the RDS supreme young horse champion as a three-year-old, as well as head the hunter mare championship and the four-year-old young event horse championship the following year!”

Prolific broodmare

Now retired to stud at home in Co Waterford, Valier has since emerged as one of the most prolific broodmares of her era. She landed the coveted Breeders’ Championship in 2013 with her foal Woodfield Xtra, who went on to win the All Ireland Young Horse title in 2016.

Rosemary Connors' Woodfield Valier, shown by her sister Claire Connors and her foal Woodfield Extra, shown by Rosemary, with The Irish Field Editor Leo Powell after winning the Breeders' Championship in 2013 \ Mary Davison

The hat-trick of RDS supreme hunter titles was clinched in 2015, when another home-bred favourite did the business. A dual-purpose performer, and indeed a young horse EI 100 winner on his only eventing appearance under rules, Woodfield Alight had been placed reserve in 2013. Two years on, his maturity and polish shone through to earn a popular and largely unsurprising victory.

Eventing has always been a favourite occupation, and among the best event horses to pass through Rosemary’s hands was the advanced mare Woodfield Ria.

“I bought her very cheaply at a sale on Cork Showground,” she relates. “I saw her in the stable, looking very poor, covered in muck and generally looking sad. She was however by Lucky Valier (sire of Woodfield Valier) and I produced her eventing to novice level. She ended up with British rider Katie Barber and had a blistering round at Burghley.”

Another top event horse to score at the RDS in her youth was PJ Hegarty’s championship home-bred Fenyas Elegance. With Rosemary in the saddle, the Ricardo Z-sired mare swept the board as a youngster, landing the RDS young event horse championship, the RDS reserve hunter title as well as the FEHL series.

Remaining with her owner/breeder throughout her career, and later piloted by Aoife Clark, Fenyas progressed to win both the Blenheim and Bramham long format showcases, and represented Ireland at WEG in Caen in 2014.

Like many astute horse people, Rosemary is happy to buy a poor or unfurnished horse with correct conformation and movement. “One that can only improve!” she states.

Among the many of that ilk she has discovered is Woodfield Bing, who carried her daughter Sarah to success in Dublin. “I could see the potential in him. He went on to be a star for my daughter Sarah, and was reserve amateur hunter at the RDS, which gave our family and friends so much enjoyment. Even my niece Hannah rides him at home.”

Rosemary Connors salutes as Woodfield Alight steps forward as the supreme champion hunter at the Dublin Horse Show in 2015, completing a hat trick of title for Rosemary \ Susan Finnerty

X-rays headache

Of course, the business has to be funded, and selling is a necessity. In recent years however, it has become increasingly challenging as Rosemary explains. “Although these days I have to have horses X-rayed when I buy them, the X-rays are such a headache when it comes to selling. I know that they can show abnormalities and signs of spavins and navicular, etc., but I do feel that it can be a grey area and dependent upon a vet’s opinion and definitely not a black and white issue.

“I think that if a horse is very sound of the blow (wind), heart and eyes, has a totally correct construction and trots soundly on a small circle, then they nearly always stand the test of time.”

With an enviable and very organised work ethic, Rosemary juggles life at home with her part-time position for leading trainer Henry de Bromhead. Her role there is to educate the racehorses on the flat, and together with the team at de Bromhead’s Knockeen yard, has enjoyed watching the likes of Sizing Europe achieve great success.

Her aim with the thoroughbreds is to produce suppleness, which leads in turn to a better shape and frame of mind. “Rosemary has helped us for years, and is a brilliant horsewoman,” states de Bromhead.

“It started with Sizing Europe, who had been hurt in the champion hurdle. My wife Heather suggested that Rosemary might come to help us, and since then she has worked with every good horse we have had. She travelled to Cheltenham when Sizing Europe won both the Arkle and the Champion Chase and is a real asset to our yard.”

Sizing Australia was another de Bromhead-trained Cheltenham winner that was assisted by Rosemary’s expertise. In preparation for the cross-country feature race, he had been well schooled across country before leading the field home in 2011.

Explaining how she starts with the thoroughbreds, Rosemary said. “At the beginning, some haven’t a clue what you are asking of them, but they surprise you how quickly they catch on.

“Some, you know, haven’t been broken properly as they would have numb mouths and be as stiff as boards and only know how to gallop. However, after a certain amount of time, they turn in to lovely, supple horses to ride.”

At home meanwhile, Rosemary takes in further thoroughbred horses, including racehorses that may have turned sour. “I do lots of arena and pole work with them and also take them on tracks through the woods. It’s very fulfilling to see them go on to be successful.”

Point-to-point training

In addition, and together with her partner Henry Tate, Rosemary has been concentrating on training and the eventual selling of point-to-pointer horses. This has proved to be a successful venture, and one that Rosemary enjoys.

“I love it. It combines my knowledge of producing a half-bred/event horse so that they all have good minds, are very balanced in their way of going and jump. Also, there is not a huge vetting process when you sell them, which is a major plus.”

Nowadays, and unsurprisingly given her aptitude and eye for a horse, Rosemary is much in demand as a showing judge, an occupation she loves. “I especially love travelling to the UK, and that is mainly because you don’t know everyone personally,” she revealed.

“Hickstead is a particular favourite of mine, but you get looked after very well wherever the show may be. I’ve met so many new people and made so many new friends. I also find that I learn so much by doing it, and can put that into practice at home.”

Naturally, she has her preferences in terms of production, but one of her pet hates when judging is when horses are asked to trot too quickly and out of rhythm. “I like to see a horse in its comfort zone and with a nice outlook. Some people showing young horses think that they move better by pulling down on their mouths and keeping their heads low.

“More often than not, if you give a horse the freedom of its head and neck, and the trot has a nice rhythm, the whole picture will look better.”

As regards choosing horses, Rosemary is a staunch supporter of the TIH and those with a largely traditional bloodline. “I try only to buy that sort of pedigree as I’m not a fan of warmbloods. Woodfield Valier has some warmblood in her but she’s an exception I feel.”

Looking to the future, Rosemary can see no reason for life to change. “In five or 10 years’ time I hope I would be healthy.” she said. “I hope also to try to have a few nice show and event horses in the yard as well as the point-to-pointers.

“I do, however, think the way that the vetting is going in the half-bred world, I see myself concentrating more on the training of the pointers.

“I would also like to think I could to pass on some of my knowledge to the younger generation so that the cycle continues.”