Clear round for Michaeli on new sponsorship deal
A YOUNG Wexford woman has become the latest showjumping star to join a growing number of riders under the Horse First Supplements banner.
Michaeli Byrne (21), from Camolin, has been involved in equestian sport from a young age and turned her hobby into a career as she got older. She has worked for people like Francis Connors, Steve Smith and Sophie Richards of Barnadown, and Shane Breen and Darragh and Sarah Kerins in Florida.
Over that time, she honed her skills in the showjumping world to compete against the best at Hickstead, Luhmuhlen and the Dublin Horse Show.
Trained by Johnny O’Connell and supported from the beginning by her father Michael Byrne, she currently works for Ronan Rothwell of Boleybawn Horses and has two Grand Prix level horses to campaign this year: Aerosmith, who is owned by Greg Broderick and her own horse, King Diego. Both horses are contesting the 1.35-1.40 qualifiers for the RDS. Two other young horses, in the wings in Boleybawn, Aasha and Filouandra, will keep the dream alive.
Michaeli’s horse King Diego was purchased as a project from Billy Pringle, via Michaeli’s aunt Kay Bowe. An unbroken four-year-old, the plan was to bring him on and sell him once he had a few shows under his belt. As Michaeli pointed out, he was not meant to stay, never mind become a Grand Prix prospect!
Speaking about her recent sponsorship, Michaeli said: ‘I am so pleased to be spon- sored by Horse First Supplements. I have been using their supplements for years and am an avid fan of ‘Relax Me’.’
She remarked that it kept tense horses calmer in the ring, but let them open out more over the fences, which made it a perfect competition supplement.
Paddy Hughes of Horse First Supple- ments added: ‘Having watched Michaeli develop as a rider over the last few years I was delighted when Johnny O’Connell made the introduction and the idea for us to support Michaeli was born. We are very proud to support an up-and-coming Irish rider and we are delighted to welcome Michaeli to the Horse First team.’