CHARLIE Magnier, son of Tom and Sophie, took the junior show jumping classes at the Sydney Royal Easter Show by storm last weekend. Just 13 years old, he finished as the overall junior champion and champion boy rider after winning three classes, including the junior Grand Prix last Monday, with Quinn Z.

The 200-year-old show was officially opened last Saturday by Princess Anne, the Princess Royal and Tom’s mother Sophie takes up the story: “It’s the first time that Charlie has jumped here as he was too young before but I’ve been here before with his younger sisters Millie, Evie and Rose, as they do showing here,” she told The Irish Field.

Coach

Charlie’s next stop is Belgium where he will compete over the Easter school holidays alongside coach Darragh Ryan. Darragh’s girlfriend Holly Miller was also at the Sydney show to help the budding international star, whose cousins Max and Tom Wachman are already established on the international circuit.

They all started off by lessons with Darragh’s father Thomas Ryan in Thurles, Co Tipperary. Another Premier County team member is Aoife Crotty, a Kildalton College graduate who works at the Magnier’s Coolmore Australia base in Jerrys Plains.

“Aoife is an absolute star and we would be lost without her. She is just a wonderful person and so special for the children to spend so much time with such a lovely Irish lady. Tom and I are so grateful to have her as part of the team and family,” Sophie said.

“Charlie’s Australian coach decided three weeks ago he could no longer coach as he is moving to Florida. So Darragh sent Holly over to us to help us at the show.

”She was only with us for a week but she saved us. As she knows both the horse and rider it was the best possible option. None of it would have been possible without Aoife and Holly.”

Fun

The bloodstock world or show jumping in the future? “Time will tell. I love show jumping, it’s good fun,” said the young Sydney star.