Emily Turkington had a fantastic weekend winning the 1.30m class at the meadows equestrian centre.
The previous weekend Emily also qualified for the RDS.
Pictures to follow.
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Emily Turkington had a fantastic weekend winning the 1.30m class at the meadows equestrian centre. The previous weekend Emily also qualifi...
Monday, 11 June 2012
Friday, 1 June 2012
Emily Turkington
This blog is going to follow the ups and downs of Emily Turkington over the time ahead, giving an insight into the life of a young girl balancing world class competition with school, friends and family. It will give an insight into competing both in Ireland and abroad, and show the intense level of training involved. Keep following to find out more.
Master Klass
Master Klass is a small hunter show horse. He is partnered by the talented young rider Lydnsey Wallace, Co. Down. The pair have had tremendous success. In 2009 the pair went champion at both the Royal Ulster Agricultural Show, Balmoral and the Royal Dublin Horse Show. In 2010 they again did the double. In 2011 this success was again repeated and she also picked up qualification for HOYS. A super little horse, one of the best smalls on the circuit.
Emily Turkington
Emily Turkington is one of Ireland's up and coming international show jumpers. As a Junior she didn't disappoint, with major wins all across the world. Then fifteen year-old Emily Turkington from County Down notched up yet another win on the international pony circuit with victory in the Hengelo Grand Prix in the Netherlands. Turkington, who was in the medals only a week before at Neeroeteen in Belgium, brought the 13 year-old bay gelding Sambo Lino across the finishing line at Hengelo a tenth of a second ahead of German challenger Laura Klaphake to claim the Grand Prix rosette. In 2009 Turkington claimed a silver medal at the Europeans and also won the speed class at the event. Proving herself to be amongst the creame of the crop right across the world. Turkington has since moved into horse with valued success, again achieving numerous wins abroad. Watch this blog for updated info on this future world class lady. 
Emily Turkington: From the heart
Just 18 years old, Emily Turkington is not only a talented horse rider but she has a sense of maturity which will undoubtly stand to her in whatever she chooses to do in life. Her positive attitude is refreshing and has got her through some of the toughest times. Only recently, the Cookstown resident has completed her A levels, and despite being offered college places, she has decided to take next year out to pursue a showjumping career.
“This year is my last year in school but for now I would like to explore the idea of showjumping full time. The plan would be to travel to some international shows to get a feel of what it would be like and to see if I could make it in the world of international showjumping. Hopefully I will also spend some time in Germany in Geraldine Fitzgerald yard. I realise that it is important to have a degree as it is always wise to have something to fall back on. This year however, is the year to find my feet”.
Born into a family with a long association with horses, it came as no surprise that both Emily and her brother James would share their
parents, Neil and Kerry Turkington’s passion for horses. Dad had jumped professionally and mum, Kerry (nee Loane) was a successful rider herself, making her name on the pony circuit in the late 1970s with ponies such as Dr Doolittle and Duke Of Beechvale before moving onto horses, were she demonstrated similar success.
“My parents separated when I was nine years old and although my dad was always supportive it was mum that looked after the ponies, encouraged me and made it possible for me to be as successful. She was wonderful person and she dedicated her time to helping me with the ponies. She was always supportive and even when I had bad days, she would remind me that there was always another day. My mum and dad were always very close despite going their separate ways”.
Although Emily is best know for her showjumping achievements, she began her pony career in the lead rein division.
“My first pony was called Paul West Willow and he was a real treasure. We won in the RDS twice in the lead rein class but he was the type of pony that we hacked out everyday and had
great fun on. I also did some working hunter classes and the Equitation class in Dublin and won it with Dr Spot and Solo Diamond. I suppose showjumping was in my blood and I was always headed in that direction”.
Upon graduating from the lead rein division, Emily soon tried her hand at showjumping, and within a short period of time she began to clock up a series of impressive results. Moving through the pony ranks, Emily has an impressive record card.
Commencing her showjumping career in the 128cm division, Emily had some of her greatest results on Mathews Girl and My Little Sweethart, making her debut in the RDS when qualifying for the final round in the RDS in 2004 aboard My Little Sweethart. She returned to the RDS the following year in 2005 with Mathews Girl to take second place.
Moving into 138cm, the success continued as she clocked up results with Loughgill through out 2006 and 2007, taking second in the RDS in 2007, a first in the Northern Ireland Horse Show as well as clocking up a series of other circuit wins. In 2007 made her first visit to Fontainebleau riding Lakeland Little Wonder. “I was the fifth member of the team that year and it was a learning curve. The following year I made the team with a Pony called Future Interest and we returned in 2009 and was the leading female rider of the show. In 2010 I went there with Sambo Lino and won quite a bit.
Once on the international scene, Emily shot to fame. Riding Future Interest she was a member of the 2007 Pony European Championship team which took the bronze medal. That year she also finished on an individual eight place. Returning in 2008 she finished eight individually at the Championships. In her final year in the pony ranks, she picked up several wins in some of the biggest classes in Ireland and was widely considered as one of Ireland’s future stars. Acquiring the ride of Lawrence Patterson’s Sambo Lino late in 2008, the pair became one of the most formidable combinations on the National pony circuit with in the Pony Spring Tour. In 2009, the pairing formed part of the team that took the Silver Medal team and was placed tenth individually. Emily’s results were rewarded when winning the Irish Field Junior showjumper of the year in 2007 and 2008.
“My last year in ponies was a great year; however my greatest disappointment was never winning in the RDS. I had a great string of ponies which helped me in my career, ponies such as Dr Spot, He S No Joker moved me up the ladder and I gained valuable experience”.
Just went it looked as if everything was going according to plan, Emily was faced with a terrible tragedy, the death of her mum Kerry in 2010. “Loosing my mum was unbearable and it was very hard to come to terms with. She was my mum, my best friend and my inspiration. She was at every show and she had an unbelievable drive. She travelled to the shows with the ponies and I had never competed at a show without her. Although she is not with me physically I know she is watching over. When mum died, I realised how precious family are to me. I had a great support network and I had a lot of people to help me through this devasting time. My Dad and his wife Celine Turkington, my brother, my long term boyfriend William Herron, my
grand parents, and my grand mother on my mums side, Vera Morrison. Mum’s best friend Geraldine Fitzgerald was there throughout my career and she has been wonderful to me and continues to help were ever she can”.
With the death of Kerry, Emily moved in with her father Neil in Cookstown where she continued with her showjumping in the Junior and young rider division. “Dad has taken over where Mum left off, we have really good facilities and he is with me at all the shows and supporting me in my career. Emma Barr has always shown an interest in my career and now she works full-time with me, she is a major asset to me and the horses”.
Emily’s success in ponies was almost instant, but with horses she is the first to admit there is a lot to learn. “Horses are different to ride than ponies and although. In ponies I could always be sure that I would come home with a ribbon, but with horses that is not the case. All the way throughout my career I was lucky to have help from some great trainers. Con Power thought me in 138cm, Ian Fearon in 148cm and now Cian O’ Connor is training
me.
Moving into the Junior and Young rider division started well for Emily. In 2010 she was short listed for the Junior team in 2010 with Vincent and the pairing went onto clock up places at home and abroad. “In 2011 at the viewing trials in Wales and West, Allihies Diamond Boy jumped clear for the first two days and then went lame. He missed quite a bit but did come back and won quite a bit. We were fifth in the Young Rider Grand Prix in Cavan in 2011, fourth in the Grand Prix in Cavan this April. In August we won the Junior Grand Prix at Nieuwpoort, and had a win the same day with Valentino T in the 1m25 Against the Clock. She also won the 1m20 Against the Clock on Friday with Wanik-WH, and was second with Allihies Diamond Boy in the 1m30 Jump-Off, which was won by the Netherlands' Nooren Lisa on Brigadör.
In the senior division Emily got this years season of to a good start when clinching victory in the HSI Bluegrass Spring Tour Series in a highly competitive class at Portmore Equestrian Centre.
“This year is my last year in school but for now I would like to explore the idea of showjumping full time. The plan would be to travel to some international shows to get a feel of what it would be like and to see if I could make it in the world of international showjumping. Hopefully I will also spend some time in Germany in Geraldine Fitzgerald yard. I realise that it is important to have a degree as it is always wise to have something to fall back on. This year however, is the year to find my feet”.
Born into a family with a long association with horses, it came as no surprise that both Emily and her brother James would share their
parents, Neil and Kerry Turkington’s passion for horses. Dad had jumped professionally and mum, Kerry (nee Loane) was a successful rider herself, making her name on the pony circuit in the late 1970s with ponies such as Dr Doolittle and Duke Of Beechvale before moving onto horses, were she demonstrated similar success.
“My parents separated when I was nine years old and although my dad was always supportive it was mum that looked after the ponies, encouraged me and made it possible for me to be as successful. She was wonderful person and she dedicated her time to helping me with the ponies. She was always supportive and even when I had bad days, she would remind me that there was always another day. My mum and dad were always very close despite going their separate ways”.
Although Emily is best know for her showjumping achievements, she began her pony career in the lead rein division.
“My first pony was called Paul West Willow and he was a real treasure. We won in the RDS twice in the lead rein class but he was the type of pony that we hacked out everyday and had
great fun on. I also did some working hunter classes and the Equitation class in Dublin and won it with Dr Spot and Solo Diamond. I suppose showjumping was in my blood and I was always headed in that direction”.
Upon graduating from the lead rein division, Emily soon tried her hand at showjumping, and within a short period of time she began to clock up a series of impressive results. Moving through the pony ranks, Emily has an impressive record card.
Commencing her showjumping career in the 128cm division, Emily had some of her greatest results on Mathews Girl and My Little Sweethart, making her debut in the RDS when qualifying for the final round in the RDS in 2004 aboard My Little Sweethart. She returned to the RDS the following year in 2005 with Mathews Girl to take second place.
Moving into 138cm, the success continued as she clocked up results with Loughgill through out 2006 and 2007, taking second in the RDS in 2007, a first in the Northern Ireland Horse Show as well as clocking up a series of other circuit wins. In 2007 made her first visit to Fontainebleau riding Lakeland Little Wonder. “I was the fifth member of the team that year and it was a learning curve. The following year I made the team with a Pony called Future Interest and we returned in 2009 and was the leading female rider of the show. In 2010 I went there with Sambo Lino and won quite a bit.
Once on the international scene, Emily shot to fame. Riding Future Interest she was a member of the 2007 Pony European Championship team which took the bronze medal. That year she also finished on an individual eight place. Returning in 2008 she finished eight individually at the Championships. In her final year in the pony ranks, she picked up several wins in some of the biggest classes in Ireland and was widely considered as one of Ireland’s future stars. Acquiring the ride of Lawrence Patterson’s Sambo Lino late in 2008, the pair became one of the most formidable combinations on the National pony circuit with in the Pony Spring Tour. In 2009, the pairing formed part of the team that took the Silver Medal team and was placed tenth individually. Emily’s results were rewarded when winning the Irish Field Junior showjumper of the year in 2007 and 2008.
“My last year in ponies was a great year; however my greatest disappointment was never winning in the RDS. I had a great string of ponies which helped me in my career, ponies such as Dr Spot, He S No Joker moved me up the ladder and I gained valuable experience”.
Just went it looked as if everything was going according to plan, Emily was faced with a terrible tragedy, the death of her mum Kerry in 2010. “Loosing my mum was unbearable and it was very hard to come to terms with. She was my mum, my best friend and my inspiration. She was at every show and she had an unbelievable drive. She travelled to the shows with the ponies and I had never competed at a show without her. Although she is not with me physically I know she is watching over. When mum died, I realised how precious family are to me. I had a great support network and I had a lot of people to help me through this devasting time. My Dad and his wife Celine Turkington, my brother, my long term boyfriend William Herron, my
grand parents, and my grand mother on my mums side, Vera Morrison. Mum’s best friend Geraldine Fitzgerald was there throughout my career and she has been wonderful to me and continues to help were ever she can”.
With the death of Kerry, Emily moved in with her father Neil in Cookstown where she continued with her showjumping in the Junior and young rider division. “Dad has taken over where Mum left off, we have really good facilities and he is with me at all the shows and supporting me in my career. Emma Barr has always shown an interest in my career and now she works full-time with me, she is a major asset to me and the horses”.
Emily’s success in ponies was almost instant, but with horses she is the first to admit there is a lot to learn. “Horses are different to ride than ponies and although. In ponies I could always be sure that I would come home with a ribbon, but with horses that is not the case. All the way throughout my career I was lucky to have help from some great trainers. Con Power thought me in 138cm, Ian Fearon in 148cm and now Cian O’ Connor is training
me.
Moving into the Junior and Young rider division started well for Emily. In 2010 she was short listed for the Junior team in 2010 with Vincent and the pairing went onto clock up places at home and abroad. “In 2011 at the viewing trials in Wales and West, Allihies Diamond Boy jumped clear for the first two days and then went lame. He missed quite a bit but did come back and won quite a bit. We were fifth in the Young Rider Grand Prix in Cavan in 2011, fourth in the Grand Prix in Cavan this April. In August we won the Junior Grand Prix at Nieuwpoort, and had a win the same day with Valentino T in the 1m25 Against the Clock. She also won the 1m20 Against the Clock on Friday with Wanik-WH, and was second with Allihies Diamond Boy in the 1m30 Jump-Off, which was won by the Netherlands' Nooren Lisa on Brigadör.
In the senior division Emily got this years season of to a good start when clinching victory in the HSI Bluegrass Spring Tour Series in a highly competitive class at Portmore Equestrian Centre.
Banglestown Imp
An Irish mare, bred by the late Loftus O'Neill of Skyglove Stud, Co. Carlow, Ireland. A man known as a true genius in horse breeding, the brain behind the breeding of some of the best Stallions in Ireland, true Irish blood lines. Banglestown Imp, is a mare whos sire is the prolific Master Imp, a stallion who is world renowned in breeding world class eventers. A thoroughbred demonstrating the values of the traditional Irish horse. Banglestown Imps dam, Lady Anika was a true example of the Irish mare. With super bloodlines, the ultimate, King of Diamonds. A stallion behind the breeding of many of the best Irish show jumpers ever to grace the land. Banglestown Imp, has a prolific career, a horse of a life time. As a four year old, she stepped into the ridden hunter circle under the command of Mrs Cariad McAlpin, having had numerous wins in hand as a young horse. The pair became a thrilling combination. Standing champion four year old ridden hunter mare and reserve supreme champion of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Show next Lorenzo, a gelding who had been supreme champion at the RDS. What a magnificent start to this beautiful mares career. The mare, known as Daisy by her owner, Mrs Valeris Breen, Augher, progressed at a rapid rate and soon put the boys in their box, Daisy was doing it for the girls. Standing Champion hunter mare at the International Dublin Horse Show at the RDS having headed her class both as a four year old and a five year old under again the beautiful rider, Mrs Cariad McAlpin. Imp then released her talent over fences, proving as careful as a cat, as she was placed 3rd in the 120cm speed class at Kernans Equestrian centre, this time with Joanne Jardan on board. It was also this year whilst jumping, the multitalented mare headed the ladies astride championship at Balmoral. However her success did not end their, just two days later she jumped clear and achieved full marks in her conformation and ride tests to add her now widely recognised name to the much sought after Balmoral Working Hunter champion cup. Banglestown Imp was then steered towards the ultimate prize in Working hunter, the Derby at the Show of the North, a thirty fence course so technical many don't make it past the tenth fence, compromising hedges, bounces, water and solid fences straight from the cross country track as well as big oxers. Imp showed her scope and pure talent as she won the championship easily, being one of only two clears from seventy eight starters. In 2008 Banglestown Imp again returned to the RDS where her presence was strongly felt as she headed her class and it looked like she would yet again be crowned the Queen of Dublin only due to an injury to her hind leg this time with Lesley Webb in the saddle. This left the mare unable to compete in the championship and working hunter, a sigh of relieve for other competitors although a sorrowful time for the team involved with Banglestown Imp. Imp was placed in foal to the well known Clover Echo, an Irish sport hore, a name familler to show jumping enthusiasts. In the Spring of 2009 Imp mothered a filly foal, who from an early age was seen to have pure natural talent and definitely one to look out for on the international show jumping circuit in years to come. Having been successful at both Balmoral and Dublin, she went under the hammer at Goresbridge Horse sales as a yearling where she achieved the top price, selling to the military of defence. It was in this year where Banglestown Imp would again make her presence strongly felt, returning to the in-hand scene to head Balmoral and Dublin. A remarkable achievement. Imp, now in foal to Ghareeb, a thoroughbred stallion producing many elite eventers. Foaled down a superb colt foal, which floated across the show ring, similar to Robert Walkers Ghareeb, Ballard Bouncer. Returning to Balmoral, it was another championship for the unstoppable mare. Who also in 2009 ventured to the Royal Highland Show, where she headed her class, the brood mare championship and then stood reserve champion supreme of the entire show. In 2011 Imp returned under saddle to the Royal Dublin Horse Show, with long term rider, Lesley Webb, a leading lady in the world of showing, where she headed her class yet again, that's a red rosette acheived at one of the worlds most acclaimed horse shows every year in attendance. In this year she also won the Tattersalls Working hunter final and picked up HOYS qualification. The mare combined with Miss Webb were a fabulous combination. Imp always being turned out remarkably well due to a super team at the Co. Down yard. The bay mare now turned her head to the all Ireland ridden hunter final where she stood reserve supreme under the ride of Miss Louise Breen. A new young and exciting combination. Imp then headed to the yard of Mr David Tatlow, an English gentleman, a well known ambassidor of the equestrian showing world. Here it was international show jumper Adam Bootham who gathered up the reigns to win 3 from 3 off the biggest working hunter shows in England. Daisy returned to her Irish home for the winter where she was given a well deserved break. In April 2012 she give birth to a filly foal by Ramiro B, and on first outing went champion as per a usual and picked up qualification for Dublin. The success this mare has achieved is down to her perfect confirmation, her balanced ride, scope and pure brilliance when it comes to her pedigree. It's a fact to say Banglestown Imp has left her hoof print on the world of showing for many years to come. The only question one could ask; what can't this mare do? A credit to her late owner Loftus O'Neill, owner Valerie Breen and handler Louise Breen. A horse recognised by her bay dapples all across the UK, Banglestown Imp is here to stay.
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