OWNERS buy horses for many reasons; to ride, to sell, to produce and sometimes just for the joy of it, like Clare Craig who just loves the sport.

Clare’s horses are ridden by John Floody and she is involved in, and gets pleasure from, every aspect of their careers.

“I like to be very hands on with the horses. When I go to the show I tack them up, groom them, do the jumps for John, that’s the part I enjoy the most,” Clare told The Irish Field. “I know a lot of owners want a different experience and that’s fine if that’s what they want, but that’s not for me. I want to be in the back in the truck helping out.

“I grew up on a farm in Randalstown, Co Antrim and my parents bought me a Shetland pony when I was four years old. My late Father, Danny McManus, had a racehorse and from the very beginning I was always interested. At the age of five I insisted on getting up on it.

“I always had a pony growing up, but it was just a hobby and I never really competed; it was just for fun. When I progressed into horses I did some riding club stuff, but once again it was mostly just riding for fun. I’ve always been drawn to horses. I love to be around them and every aspect of looking after them.

“In my house growing up motorbikes were the big thing. My brother Eugene raced right up to Grand Prix level and travelled across the world. Now my two nephews, Eugene and James, race. My father sponsored motorbike riders, horses were so far removed from everything that went on in the house!

“I was first introduced to registered show jumping by my friend Patricia McKinny. Her son John competed and they told me about a nice mare that was for sale. I bought it for John (McKinny) to compete and that is where it all began really.

“She was called ICB Arkansas Expression (VDL Arkansas x Uncle Walter) and when I decided it was time to sell the mare on, it was recommended to me to ask John Floody if he would take over the ride and prepare her for sale by bringing her around to the shows with him. He agreed and I moved her to his yard. That was over nine years ago now and I’ve been there ever since.”

Hooked

This move was the beginning of Clare’s involvement with horses at the higher level of the sport. “Once I started going around all the shows with John to watch the mare compete, I found myself instantly hooked. I knew that this was what I wanted to do; to be involved with horses competing at this level.

“John had a four-year-old mare in the yard at the time which I took a real fancy to. I decided to buy her for John to compete and she was my first really successful jumper. Her name was Craigmanus Hold Up Diamond. She is by Hold up Premier out of Jonesboro Lass who was by Moyan Ginger Diamond.

“John’s sister Ann broke her in and John competed her for me from the age of four. She had plenty of success throughout each age division. When she was six she qualified for Dublin and that was a superb week for me; watching a horse I owned competing in the main ring was like a dream come true."

John Floody and Clare Craig's Craigmanus Hold Up Diamond \ Laurence Dunne Jumpinaction.net

“I had been to the RDS as a child and then again with friends just as a spectator, but to be there right in the thick of it, that was amazing. Watching her compete in the main arena was one of the proudest days of my life.

“When Rosie (Craigmanus Hold Up Diamond) was about nine years old I began looking out for another horse and another four-year-old in the yard caught my eye. He was by Sir Shutterfly (out of Ballybunion Aldatus) and his name is HTS Carnanbreagha. He was bred by Brian Kieran who had a few horses with John, so I bought him and just like the mare, John brought him thoughtfully and carefully up through the age divisions. He took his time and never rushed him.

“We let the horse tell us when he was ready to move to the next level; and it has paid off. He is now nine years old, last year moved up to Grand Prix level and a few weeks ago he won the TRM Spring Tour Grand Prix in Cavan.

“John thought from early on that he was special and wanted to produce him slowly. That is something I really like about having horses with John, he lets them dictate the pace of progression and never puts them under pressure. I really trust him to do what is best for the animal.”

Family

“The thing is my horses are like my family. I don’t have kids so they are my world. I have so much trust in John looking after them. The girls in the yard are amazing; John’s sister Ann, and at the shows Anna Sheridan and Aimee O’Farrell. Aimee doesn’t work for John but she’s been with him for years and years and she’s always there to help get everything organised. She’s one of my best friends and we have a great time.

“I remember when I was just riding for fun I used to think, oh I’d love to have a horse that could go registered jumping, and then once I had that I’d go to the shows and watch the Grand Prix class and think ‘Wow, I’d love to own a horse that could do that one day’, now that day is here; it’s amazing.”

Breeding

Clare has also ventured into breeding. “Another ambition I’ve been lucky enough to realise is breeding my own foals. I began by buying a mare named Elamo Almazing (Indoctro II x Northern Madera). My plan initially was to use her as a recipient mare for Craigmanus Hold Up Diamond, it didn’t really work the first year so it was getting late in the season and she was well bred herself so I decided to go to Luidam with her.

“She is interesting, she didn’t do much herself but her mother bred a five-star eventer HD Bronze, as well as Lord Luidam who jumped 1.45m and Puissance classes with Trevor Breen.

“The result was the now five-year-old Craigmanus Mr Finn (Luidam x Indoctro II) who is doing very well in his age category and we have high hopes for.

“The four-year-old mare out of Elamo Almazing by Cobra 18 is called Craigmanus Cara and is just broken. She is a lovely blood model and has just done her first show with John and he really likes her. I also have a two-year-old mare by Pilothago TN named Craigmanus Grace.

“I hope to breed from Craigmanus Hold Up Diamond in the next couple of years so that will be exciting.

“They all live at home with me when they are not in John’s and I do everything myself. I foal them myself and do all the looking after. I love the work, my husband Alan gives me a hand but that’s the way I like it; to be involved at every level.

“My mother is a great supporter of my horses and follows them all and gets great pleasure from them. Hopefully we have some more exciting times ahead.”