Cian O’Connor

What is the best gift you have ever received?

The best gift I ever received would have to be the “independence” that my mother gave me growing up. I feel that allowed me to make decisions and plenty of mistakes, which in turn taught me great life lessons.

If you could have any horse, past or present, gift wrapped and delivered to your yard, who would it be?

I must say, I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to work with some incredible horses over the past 25 years. One horse I have followed for the last three years has been Canbella Blue PS. I’ve always thought she was extremely special and, just two months ago, had the opportunity to acquire her and take over the reins. I’m extremely excited to see how we can develop our partnership next year…

What’s your favourite part of Christmas?

I enjoy spending a few days at home before Christmas. I love going into Dublin on Christmas Eve and seeing all the hustle and bustle and catching up with old friends. But the best part is seeing Ben, Cara and Ruth open their presents from Santa!

What is the best gift you’ve ever given, and to whom?

I’m not really sure what the best gift I have ever given was. Though I must say, I enjoy giving presents and treating those close to me to something they may not necessarily get for themselves. I’m also conscious that Christmas can be a poignant time for some and I like to make time to visit some friends and family, who I know might just enjoy a chat.

If you could choose sun or snow for Christmas, which would you pick?

Definitely snow!

Ballypatrick Stables' star rider Niamh McEvoy showing off her team gold medal won at the European Young Rider Show Jumping Championships in Holland on Jasmim Da Hermida, pictured \ Siobhan English Photography

Niamh McEvoy

What is the best gift you have ever received?

My first pony - Huckleberry! He was a Christmas present to my brothers and I when I was very young and definitely a hard one to better.

If you could have any horse, past or present, gift wrapped and delivered to your yard, who would it be?

I think I would have to pick Foxy de la Roque after the Super Grand Prix in Riyadh. For just a nine-year-old, she was definitely a standout horse.

What’s your favourite part of Christmas?

Having some downtime and seeing all of my family. Show jumping involves a very busy lifestyle and sometimes downtime is rare! I love to get home for a bit and recharge for the following year, as well as catching up with friends and family.

What is the best gift you’ve ever given, and to whom?

I got my mum a Dyson hairdryer one year and I think she really liked it!

If you could choose sun or snow for Christmas, which would you pick?

I think snow! The cold weather is far from ideal when working with horses and I definitely prefer the sun, but over Christmas, snow is quite nostalgic!

Ireland team manager Michael Blake as The Aga Khan trophy is brought to Tuamgraney, Clare, following Ireland's victory in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup at the 2022 Dublin Horse Show \ Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Michael Blake, Irish chef d’equipe

What is the best gift you have ever received?

The best gift I have ever received was the birth of my grandson John. He was born just in time for Christmas. He is just turning four.

If you could have any horse, past or present, gift wrapped and delivered to your yard, who would it be?

I would choose Milton. I loved the way he went, jumping everything so effortlessly. He and John Whitaker were a joy to watch.

What’s your favourite part of Christmas?

I enjoy a few days of doing nothing and watching racing on television.

What is the best gift you’ve ever given, and to whom?

It would be fair to say that I am not a very imaginative shopper, but I do enjoy helping to give our young Irish riders opportunities on the world show jumping stage and watching them grow from it.

If you could choose sun or snow for Christmas, which would you pick?

I think snow is more traditional for the Christmas spirit in our part of the world.

Commdt Geoff Curran \ Lorraine O'Sullivan

Commandant Geoff Curran

What is the best gift you have ever received?

Tickets to watch Manchester United at Old Trafford (in the good times when Alex Ferguson managed).

If you could have any horse, past or present, gift wrapped and delivered to your yard, who would it be?

Has to be King Edward.

What’s your favourite part of Christmas?

Christmas morning, when the magic of Santa unfolds.

What is the best gift you’ve ever given?

I’m absolutely awful at buying presents I’m told, but one Christmas I did get a beautiful portrait of our German Shepherd commissioned for my wife, Emma.

If you could choose sun or snow for Christmas, which would you pick?

Snow, but just for that day only!

Balmoral Grand Prix winners Francis Derwin and Flexi K pictured receiving the Chester Nugent Trophy from the RUAS President, John Henning \ Anne Hughes

Francis Derwin

What is the best gift you have ever received?

The best gift I have ever received I think would be when my dad got me a pony for Christmas, which was Rincoola Babog, who went on and did a lot for me and my cousin James.

If you could have any horse, past or present, gift wrapped and delivered to your yard, who would it be?

If I could have any horse I wanted, I’d have to say Steve Guerdat’s Dynamix de Belheme.

What’s your favourite part of Christmas?

My favourite part of Christmas would have to be after we have our dinner. Normally, all the family play cards together. I haven’t been home for Christmas the last two years, so I’m really looking forward to it this year.

What is the best gift you’ve ever given, and to whom?

I’d say I’m not the best at giving gifts, but I’d like to say something I got or did for my dad.

If you could choose sun or snow for Christmas, which would you pick?

I would definitely pick snow. I think if there is snow it feels more like Christmas.