Kim Mullahey

FOR anyone who had the privilege of knowing Major Hugh Dawnay however modestly in his 79-year life, the launch of his memoirs in Waterford was a reunion in many ways, a bringing together of the many people from all walks of life who at one time or another circled the course with him for however long or all too briefly.

‘Galloping Through Life’ charts the Major’s life through what he came to see as lotteries, beginning with his birth and early childhood, through his military career and as an amateur point-to-point jockey, his marriage to Maria Ines and the birth of his children and of almost parallel significance, the opening of the first residential polo school in Ireland at his beloved Whitfield Court in Kilmeaden, Waterford.

Every one of the Major’s lotteries in life was a winning ticket, right through to teaching and coaching polo at an international level and his involvement in the Rotary Club of Waterford.

On the equestrian side, undiminished by his military career and philanthropic works, the memoirs are a veritable who’s who of the polo and horse sport community both in this country and abroad. At the heart of his story is his humility, his enormous strength of character and his gifted ability as a teacher and coach.

Major Dawnay poured much of his heart and indeed, his soul into taking Irish polo to the next level, that of the world stage. His dream came to fruition recently when an Irish polo team that included his son Sebastian, competed in the European Championships at the end of the World Equestrian Games in Chantilly, France last September.

Last weekend, in collaboration with the former TD Dr Donie Ormonde and the Major’s widow Maria Ines, the launch of the Major’s memoirs in the Medieval Museum was attended by 150 people.

“It was a huge honour for me to launch this book of Major Hugh Dawnay’s memoirs,” said Dr Donie Ormonde. “He worked very hard to finish and when he passed away his wife made great strides to complete his memoirs, the greatest act of love.

“Hugh gave his life and soul to any project he got involved in. I am particularly proud to have been asked to launch this book, and the title aptly describes his life.”

Among his many achievements Major Dawnay wrote two tactical books on polo, ‘Polo Vision’ and ‘Playmaker Polo’.

There is little doubt, however, that his greatest achievements were in the life he lived with his wife and their sons, David and Sebastian Dawnay.

With his death in May 2012 much of the Major’s work and plans for the future of polo are unfinished, waiting for someone of similar calibre to pick up the mantle.

“It was a wonderful journey with this book,” said Maria Ines Dawnay. “I hope you enjoy it. I saw so many faces on the night the book was launched and it was wonderful to see.”

Somerville Press publication ‘Galloping Through Life’ is on sale in Eason’s for €17.99 and online from the publisher at somervillepress.com.