THE equestrian community were sadden to learn of the passing of Beatrice Maxwell Murphy last Wednesday, March 31st, unexpectedly at home in Taylors Hill, Galway.

Beatrice is best known in the pony world as founder of the Gleann Rua Stud in the 1970s when she moved to Galway with her husband, the late Dr Edward (Ted) Murphy.

Beatrice had previously worked as a nurse in the Mater Hospital in Dublin before making the move West working alongside her husband in the practice they set up at their home in Taylors Hill.

Beatrice and Ted had nine children but it was to be their two youngest daughters, Lorna and Grace, who would inherit their mother’s love of horses and ponies and it was these two fair-headed children that would be seen in the back of Beatrice’s trusty Volvo car as it brought them and their horsebox into nearly every show field in the country during the 90s, honing the girls’ skills to become the fine horsewomen they are today.

Beatrice’s father, Thomas Maxwell from Mullingar, was a well-known horse producer, judge and breeder, a prominent figure at Goffs Bloodstock Sales where he purchased for buyers at home and abroad.

Beatrice’s first Connemara pony was Sea-Mist (Dangan Dun x Miss Holly). A multiple champion as a youngster, Sea-Mist later became the family’s foundation mare whose bloodlines still exist in their breeding lines today.

Another pony which will forever be synonymous with Beatrice is Lakeside Lady, a beautiful fleabitten grey mare. With Beatrice, her dark hair swept back in an elegant bun, Lakeside Lady was a familiar sight at shows, rarely out of the first three places.

Gleann Rua Ponies are known worldwide from Dubai to the USA, Donegal to the Aran Islands, perhaps the best known being the stallion Gleann Rua Maxwell, bred by Beatrice, owned by Lorna and ridden by both Lorna and Grace.

The dapple grey stallion won a host of championships both in-hand and ridden, and he is the only stallion to have won both the in-hand class and ridden championship at Clifden Show. He was also crowned champion at the RDS and won the All Ireland Ridden Final.

Beatrice’s energy was enviable, her passion never waned nor did she seem to tire of the many miles travelled to compete their ponies, further demonstrated by her love of the sea; she was a regular swimmer until recently at Ladies beach in Salthill, Galway.

The pony world has lost another stalwart but for Beatrice her pony legacy lives on through her two daughters of whom she was tremendously proud.

Beatrice was laid to rest on Wednesday at Rahoon Cemetery following her requiem mass at St. Mary’s Church, The Claddagh, Galway.

Beloved wife of the late Dr Edward (Ted) Murphy and adoring mother to the late Darragh, she will be sadly missed and mourned by her loving sons and daughters Clora, Ross, Mervyn, Shane, Glenn, Edward, Lorna, and Grace, her sisters Deirdre and Sr. Virgilius, brother Cecil, sons and daughters-in-law, grandchildren and extended friends and family.

Sadly we say farewell to one of a kind, a mixture of grace, elegance, charm and resilience.