IT’s a long, long way from the sunnier climes of Philip McGuane’s winter base in Wellington to West Clare. “Philip is a loss to Ireland; he was very under-rated in my opinion. He’s a horseman, a tremendous worker and he will do whatever he thinks is the best for the horse,” says Martin O’Dea, who, with wife Lisa and their three daughters: Lily (18), Daisy (14) and Kitty (11), run West Clare Equestrian Centre.

Storm Bert has passed over and the winter sun glints off nearby Tullabrack Lake, site of MHS Going Global’s impromptu swim, when jumping as a youngster at the West Clare Show. “I helped fish him out!” Martin reveals.