IT was with great sadness the Irish equestrian world received the news that Caroline Donnelly (63) of Eagle Rock Equestrian Centre, Caherdaniel, Co Kerry, passed away on July 23rd last.

From an early age, Caroline had a great love of animals and outdoor life; this began at the age of three when she and a cousin learned to ride her grandparents’ donkey.

Her neighbour had a pony which Caroline used to borrow and started riding on the beach. She loved the freedom and excitement of galloping on Derrynane beach. It was an idyllic childhood.

Caroline started going to gymkhanas and pony shows, where she inevitably came home with many rosettes and cups for her equestrian achievements.

She was hooked on outdoor life and knew on finishing school that the only career for her was in the equestrian business.

Racing and equestrianism

Caroline headed off in 1976/’77 to follow her dream. She spent many great years with Jessica Harrington in Commonstown Stud and with the legendary Iris Kellett, training in the teaching of riding skills and the skilled management of an equestrian centre.

In 1984 Caroline attended the Olympic Games at Los Angeles as a groom with the Irish equestrian team caring for Jessica’s horse Paddywhack.

She attended the World, European and Irish Championships. At the 1991 European Championships, she looked after Fiona Wentge’s horse Oliver and at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, she cared for Eric Smiley’s horse Enterprise.

Caroline also spent time working in America and Switzerland and worked as a veterinary nurse at the renowned horse vet Ned Gowing’s practice at the Curragh.

Caroline was an accomplished show jumping rider and was carving out a career for herself on the three-day event and point-to-point circuit when she had a bad fall in 1989, resulted in her damaging her left leg/knee which put an end to her riding career. While at home recuperating, she spotted an old derelict building that needed a lot of repair work but she persevered and in June 1993, her dream was realised when she opened Eagle Rock Equestrian Centre.

Riders of Eagle Rock Equestrian Centre enjoying trekking on the beach at Derrynane, Co Kerry

Equine tourism

This was a brave move for a girl in her early 30s as tourism was only beginning to take off in South Kerry. However Caroline was determined to try and change this, so together with other small operators they decided to package activities such as horse riding, fishing, sea sports, boat tours and golf to try and grow tourism in the region. The area was perfect for outdoor pursuits. She continued to have an active role promoting tourism throughout her career.

Caroline loved the business, meeting people from all walks of life, and introducing them to the beautiful Derrynane Beach Trek.

Caroline loved each and every one of her horses, knowing their personalities and characteristics better then the back of her hand. She ensured that each rider, irrespective of being a novice or experienced rider, would have an enjoyable experience. The views were amazing and riding along the waves on the Wild Atlantic Coast was exhilarating. One visitor’s review remarked, “Riding a horse across Derrynane Beach is to ride through a part of heaven.”

Caroline had generations of children pass through her stables, visitors who had summer houses in the area, their children learned to ride and in latter years, their grandchildren were riding with Caroline. Over the years she employed many local and visiting children at the stables.

The late Caroline Donnelly and her niece Anna Kate in action

Fostering the next generation

In winter Caroline loved going to the hunt meetings with the Kingdom Hunt Club. She was delighted when her niece Nessa was old enough to go hunting with her. They would be seen loading up the horsebox early on Sunday morning and setting off to various parts of Kerry. When Nessa started college, Caroline’s niece Anna Kate took over, she started riding at about two and a half years of age, taking part in her first hunt at three (with her Dad running beside her). Then younger sister Ellie started riding at the same age so Caroline then had two very young girls hooked and delighted to be learning how to look after their horses and ride properly. They worked with Caroline every summer from a very young age. She taught them what hard work really was, ‘the harder you work, the luckier you get’ was a quote she often recited to them.

Caroline had many qualities and her good nature touched many people. She was very kind, thoughtful and generous. Caroline’s nieces and nephews are the ones who really had the most amazing experience with their aunt. In total she had 15 nieces and nephews and each and every one of them loved going to Eagle Rock, learning how to ride. As they reminisced on their childhood, they realised how privileged and lucky they all were to have a unique one, which was heavily influenced by Caroline. It was a great testament to Caroline that 13 of the 15 were able to attend her funeral, having flown in from many parts of the world.

Caroline loved keeping in touch with her many friends all over Ireland and abroad. She loved heading away in the off season to the various race meetings and catching up with the ‘horsey gang’.

Stunning scenery

Caroline was a great community person, she was great for visiting people, especially those who lived alone - anything that needed doing, she was on board. This could be fundraising for any charity such as Derrynane Inshore Rescue, Kidney Association or Pieta House. Caroline was a past crew member and current board member of the Derrynane Inshore Rescue Team. She loved helping others and always put everyone else before herself.

She was resilient, Caroline was dealt a number of health challenges in her life, she started dialysis in 2007 for nearly three years. She drove a 120-mile round trip three days a week to UHK Tralee in all kinds of weather. Finally in May 2010, she got that call and had her kidney transplant. This was life-changing for her. Needless to say she was again advised not to ride but as soon as Caroline was feeling well, she was at the stables. Luckily her renal consultant also had an interest in horses, so they had a ‘special’ understanding.

Caroline is now resting peacefully in the most beautiful graveyard in Ireland, Derrynane Abbey, overlooking Derrynane Beach, where she spent the last 30 years introducing riders to this unique place. She will be sadly missed by her family, numerous friends and the local community.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá hanam dílis.