AN incredible 5,000 children and adults came to Holmestead Saddlery’s two stores at Tyrella and Kildare this week to meet global equestrian celebrity influencer Esme Higgs.

According to Bill Holmes of Holmestead, five times more people came to meet Esme than turned out to greet legendary show jumping rider John Whitaker.

Esme (21) has a social media following of 1.7 million worldwide and her wholesome videos portray her love of animals and often help educate her mostly young followers with how to care for ponies. Esme is the girl next door with absolute star quality, charisma and many of those who met her were visibly moved by the experience.

Fans came from every corner of Ireland and queued for hours; one family came specially from Sweden for the free admission event.

“Attendance at our Tyrella store was so enormous that we decided to bring forward the start time in Kildare by two hours. We also had to open a field to accommodate 250 cars when our car parks were filled. Esme was incredible, watching her over the two days, smile and genuinely engage with every family as if they were the only ones. Many said it was the best day of their lives and clearly meant it,” said Bill.

Esme is not an international rider and harbours no ambition to be one either but Bill now firmly believes she is a huge asset to the equestrian world.

“Esme inspires many young people to get involved in horses, her videos touch hearts and minds on a vast scale - she is typically viewed 15 million times per month and has been viewed four billion times to date. Esme’s talent is her ability to communicate her love of equestrianism to an audience of young people and to inspire them to get involved in the wonderful world of ponies,” said Bill.

Signed books

Esme will have signed all of the hardback copies of her book, Starlight Stables Gang, which will be in Holmestead by late March and can be ordered at Holmestead Kildare, telephone 01 4588600 or Holmestead Tyrella at 028 44851427.