LEAH Knight, supported by husband Michael Dobbs, has made a five-minute move from Vumba Stables to rent the Danescroft Equestrian Centre on the outskirts of Lisburn.

“While we plan on running shows in the future, at the present we are going to focus on hiring out the arena and gallop and continuing our base business of breaking and schooling young horses and retraining some thoroughbreds,” said Leah whose riding has been curtailed since November as she fractured her pelvis in a fall and also broke her arm and two ribs in the incident.

“With all the work required settling in, I don’t think I’ll be eventing for a while but I have a nice jumper to bring on. I’ll be busy coaching anyway and we have Downshire Riding Club coming in on Tuesday evenings with the Killultagh Pony Club claiming Wednesdays.

“It’s a bit like coming home for Michael as he lived at Danescroft for many years from the age of 15, working with George Stewart’s racehorses, and we met when I started working there as well in my early 20s. There were winners after winners coming out on the yard at that time and all the horses looked fantastic – Michael and I learned a lot from George.”

While Michael has a full-time job with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, he will be helping out at the yard as much as he can. In 2016, when the Eventing Ireland national championships were held at Tattersalls, Michael was presented with the best groom award.