SIMON Scott from Convoy, Donegal celebrated winning the Ulster Grand Prix 1.35m final and league at Portmore in 2020 not realising a few weeks later he would suffer a rotational fall which left him fighting for his life with multiple head injuries.

An outgoing energetic horseman, Simon has fought to regain health over the past five months, and received a major boost recently when his home-bred Pacino Amiro enjoyed a win in Wellington, Florida with Bertram Allen.

“I am lucky to be alive,” admitted Scott. “I have a around 40 horses at the moment, including horses in work and 12 mares to foal. Thanks to help from owners, friends and family, things are working well.

“My highlight of 2020 was winning the Ulster Grand Prix on Ian Millar’s Ploverfield Lilyana (Eurocommerce Pittsburg x Last News), and taking second place on Jasmine Tide (Kroongraf x Douglas), a mare I co-own with Steen Lowry. Winning the league was fantastic but little did I know what was ahead.”

Simon’s accident took place during the 1.40m Cavan Autumn Championship National Grand Prix after his mare tripped and flipped her rump onto his head. “I never woke up for four days,” said Scott. “Everyone thought the worst as I left the show unconscious and blood was coming from my nose. I was given immediate surgery in Dublin for seven fractures and they saved my life.

“I now have right-sided facial paralysis and am deaf in my right ear, but St James’s Hospital is still looking after me. Life is precious but you don’t realise it until something like this happens.”

A rotational fall survivor, where the horse lands on the rider’s head, is life-changing. “There is no doubt that I had a life-changing fall. My recovery has been slow with complications, but I gradually feel myself getting better each day. You can’t believe how much help I have had from the greatest owners, friends and family. Pacino Amiro winning for Bertram made my day and he was the first foal of dam Carnone Dancing Queen which I competed to 1.40m.”

Simon Scott and Ploverfield Lilyana winning the five-year-old championship at Balmoral in 2015 \ Anne Hughes

Lifelong horseman

Simon inherited his love for breeding and jumping from his parents. He explained: “My mother Jean used to breed 22 broodmares, mostly Irish Draught. My father Harry passed away 10 years ago, but they bought Dancing Queen for me from owner/breeder Ronan McLaughlin (Malin). She was always a sharp mare but I love her. She is by Amiro M out of a Clover Hill dam, both owned by Ronan. My parents knew the importance of good broodmares and my mother is out in the yard every day helping out.”

Pacino Amiro and Bertram Allen are “a combination to watch for the future,” predicted Simon. “I am so happy to see a horse that I bred at home having the ability and opportunity to compete at top level with one of our best riders. I sold the horse to Aiden McGrory from Donegal and I am delighted for them.”

Last weekend, Pacino Amiro and Allen were sixth in the $401,000 five-star Grand Prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival, behind Cork winer Shane Sweetnam and Alejandro.

So far Simon has siblings of Pacino Amiro including twins, a five-year-old stallion and mare by Luidam and a two-year-old colt by the young stallion Echonix, winner of the RDS Loose Jumping Final in 2019.

Breeding high performance horses is a passion at Simon’s Green Hill Farm. “I bred six foals last year. I have two small blood mares that I breed to a good pony stallion each year, whose progeny last year is by Grade A 14.2hh stallion Bobby Blue Sparrow standing with Patricia Dalton.

“I also have two foals by Echonix, standing with Brendan McSorley, and Gerry Marron and Luc Henry’s stallion Kinmar Hero Z. I love these stallions because they are by good sires and have great damlines. Echonix is by Aganix du Seigneur out of Echo Peach (Clover Echo), a full sister to Echo Beach, Beach Ball’s dam.

“Kinmar Hero Z is by Aganix out of a For Pleasure dam, Alana Hero Z, who is competing at top level.”

Simon’s ultimate ambition is to continue his breeding programme “and to improve and expand my facilities at home so I can breed and produce more quality horses.”

Green Hill Farm is ideal for Simon during Covid restrictions. “I am fortunate, we have plenty of space to exercise and train, meaning I don’t have to travel a lot during lockdown.”

Grassroots

Simon’s grassroots training began when he was six years old. Obsessed with jumping, his ponies came first and from the age of 13, Simon competed each summer with Taggart’s ponies in England.

“I competed at registered shows from age 11, and worked for Brian for most of my pony career. He gave me great opportunities to ride many types in England and Ireland.”

Simon graduated into horses and spent some months in Glamorgan with Andrew Davies, well-known for his World Cup win in Millstreet with Captain Wellington. “I also spent three months in Germany doing flatwork with show jumping rider Florian Meyer zu Hartman and then two years riding for Peter Smyth.”

The eager Simon learned his craft well from Smyth who keeps up to 40 horses. “Peter drummed it into me, he is calm and quietly spoken. Peter always said, ‘Let the horse do the jumping.’ It’s important that you don’t do too much for your horse in front of the fence and that you teach them to think for themselves. I practice this with all my horses and I think this makes them careful and successful in jump-offs.

“I rode four horses in the morning and four in the afternoon for Peter and it was this variety which stood me in good stead for my own yard.”

At 20 years of age, Simon went solo at Convoy and found great owners. “My owners are amazing, they rallied round and include Ian Millar (Sion Mills), Steen Lowry (Donemana), Leslie Goudie (Raphoe) and Kieran O’Keefe (Sligo).”

Simon has relied on local rider JP McGranaghan, his own girlfriend Sarah Kelly, and stable staff Harriet Whoriskey Heaney and Nessa Irwin to ride the horses. “My son Ben (12) is helping run the farm. McGranaghan’s shop in Raphoe brought fresh soup every day because my jaws were wired for two months and Louise Goudie also provided tasty home-made soup from her kitchen.”

Life and soul

Sarah Kelly has been at Simon’s side since the fall, as has Ben. Simon and Ben are a team. “He is the life and soul of the yard. If anybody is doing a job and they need help, they can call Ben. He runs in three different directions, holding a horse, cleaning a stable, putting up jumps or video operator. He has his own sheep enterprise. Herbie McBride is in charge of the stables and when I am away competing or at sales and riding horses on the beach, Herbie has the yard in tip top shape. A man with a heart of gold. Leslie Goudie has taken care of every aspect of my life, since the fall. Everyone had a terrible shock and I cannot say ‘thank you’ enough to all of them for keeping Green Hill Farm going.”

The team at Green Hill Farm in Convoy (l-r) Harriet Whoriskey Heaney, Simon Scott, Sarah Kelly, Ben Scott and Nessa Irwin

As the lockdown eases for show jumping, Simon is cautious. “Given the uncertainty brought by Covid-19 and medical complications, I haven’t made any definite plans for 2021. They say it will take 12 months, but everyday I improve. I have chronic fatigue which I am told is normal with head trauma and will take time.”

Simon dreams of the day he will make his debut once more on the Grand Prix tours. He misses his jacket, jodphurs and leather boots which were cut from his body in hospital. “Thanks to Bellisle Saddlery in Coleraine, they are sponsoring me with a whole complete outfit. That is something else to look forward to and very kind,” added Simon.

Understanding the importance of good owners, he added: “I have a great relationship with all my owners which makes producing horses and my job a lot easier. They have been invaluable support to me during these difficult times.”

Looking back over his greatest moments, he said: “Ploverfield Lilyana is only 15.2hh, a mare with a massive heart who gives her all. She won the opening leg of the 1.40m National Grand Prix at The Meadows in 2019 for Ian Millar, and that was memorable. “

National Balmoral grass arena is one of Simon’s favourite venues. “I have had great success here over the years and it is one of the few grass shows left in the world.

“I would love to see more outdoor grass shows, greater sponsorship and prize funds would be a bonus, especially for the bigger classes as the costs of travel and entries for shows are extensive.”

With an exciting team of young horses including his Grand Prix squad, Simon has Leslie Goudie’s five-year-old Carrickadawson Candy, by Sligo Candy Boy out of a Brother Charlton dam, bred at Green Hill Farm, and Kieran O’Keefe’s six-year-old Strandhill Guylander, by OBOS Quality out of a Captain Clover dam. “These are great youngsters, I can’t wait to see how they fare this year.”

Ever optimistic

Simon Scott is renowned for his outgoing personality and optimism. “The changes by Brexit also pose difficulties for riders. I think it will affect how we trade with the UK, export and travel our horses and is definitely a concern for most horse owners. But getting out there and having shows open up here is the main thing.”

As the 2021 season begins, with Covid rulings, Simon gives a few tips. “Ride your own way and don’t try to copy other riders. Be comfortable with your horse and have confidence. Trust your gut instinct and go for it.

“After what happened to me, I realise that you must live every day to the full and love everybody around you.”