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“This time last year, I was just bringing Izzey back into work after a serious injury over the summer, and it knocked both of our confidence.“
Every equestrian knows that an injury isn’t just a test for the horse — it’s a mental battle for the rider too. For Lynsey Kennedy, the goal for 2024 was simple but powerful: “To get back out competing as a partnership and to enjoy it again.”
But behind that goal was a quiet dream she kept to herself. “I also secretly had a dream in the back of my head of taking home a rosette from Eventing Ireland.”
With Izzey slowly returning to work, the focus was on steady progress. There were no shortcuts, no pressure, just patience and small wins. What followed was a season that would test their bond, but ultimately, one that would give them everything they’d been hoping for.
Welcome to the Eventing Community
Eventing isn’t just about riding — it’s about being part of a community. People that are just as mad and adventurous as you… And for Lynsey, one moment stands out as a turning point.
“My defining moment would be at one event, picking up my bib number and rosette from Dora Beacom. Before I even reached the window, she knew my number.”
For many riders, collecting your bib is a simple transaction, but for Lynsey, it felt like more. It wasn’t just about being a competitor that day — it was about feeling seen and known within the eventing community. “I’ve always felt accepted by the eventing community, but this was the first time I felt truly part of it.”
That small moment, standing by the horsebox chatting with friends, marked something bigger than a result. It was a sign that she belonged — not just to the sport but to a community that knows the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
Ask any rider and they’ll tell you — there’s nothing quite like the moment you see a rosette hanging from your bridle. For Lynsey, that moment finally arrived.
“It would definitely be getting some placings in Eventing Ireland this year,” she says. “It’s not the ribbon that really matters — it’s knowing that your hard work is paying off.”
After two years of incomplete seasons, missed opportunities, and broken momentum, this moment felt like everything coming together. It wasn’t luck — it was the result of patience, preparation, and trust in Izzey. The rosette may have been a small piece of fabric, but it carried a bigger meaning: consistency, growth, and belief.
If Lynsey could bottle up one moment from 2024, it would be the finish line at Tyrella’s cross-country course.
“It had been such a journey physically and mentally to get to this event that the absolute feeling of accomplishment and relief was overwhelming.”
Galloping across that finish line wasn’t just about completing a course — it was about everything that led up to it. All the nights spent planning rides, all the setbacks with Izzey, all the patience required to bring her back after injury. That moment was the reward.
She laughs now, saying, “I wasn’t crying, it was the water complex…” But every rider knows that sometimes, the finish line comes with a wave of emotions that’s hard to explain. Relief. Pride. And sometimes, maybe a little splash of water.
Every rider has a “nemesis” — and for Lynsey, it comes in the form of white boards and score sheets.
“Every dressage test, the moment I pick up my score sheet, it’s a test of patience and resilience.”
The Grassroots journey is about constant improvement, and Lynsey takes that to heart. Instead of getting disheartened, she’s learned to embrace the process. She talks to other riders, applies feedback from her score sheets, and reminds herself that “not every issue is a one-week fix.”
“All the small improvements add up,” she says. And isn’t that the heart of grassroots riding? It’s not about perfection — it’s about progress.
Every rider will tell you that each horse teaches you something new. For Lynsey, her journey with Izzey has been a lesson in patience, understanding, and trust.
“I’ve had two headstrong geldings before, but Izzey is something else. She’s a sensitive, capable mare, and she’s made me want to be a better rider.”
The shift from geldings to a sharp, intuitive mare isn’t something riders talk about often, but it’s a real shift in thinking. Izzey doesn’t just want direction — she needs partnership. It’s a change Lynsey had to adjust to, but she’s all the better for it.
“Her ability and nature have made me put in the effort because I don’t want to let her down,” she says. This change has been most evident in cross-country, where Izzey has shown her trust in Lynsey during more complex combinations. “Knowing she’s listening to me, trusting me — that’s everything.”
“Eventing days can be long days for young kids, so when you work full-time, it can be difficult to leave them at the weekend too.”
The balancing act of being a mum, a full-time worker, and an equestrian is tough, but Lynsey has a secret weapon — her family.
Her husband, David, is her behind-the-scenes champion. “He encourages me to go riding when it’s raining and blowing a gale. He mucks out my stable, drives the horse lorry, fills the hay nets, and listens to every single piece of horsey chat.”
David’s parents also play a key role, stepping in on weekends when eventing schedules clash with family life. Their support has allowed Lynsey to chase her goals, knowing her kids are happy, safe, and part of the journey.
Her appreciation is simple but heartfelt: “Not one bit of it goes unnoticed.”
If you’re wondering what’s next for Lynsey and Izzey, she’s happy to tell you:
“Grassroots Championships. Watch this space.”
This past year has shown her what’s possible, and she’s ready to take it further. With Izzey at her side, the lessons learned, and the network of people who support her, she’s ready to aim high.
Her goals aren’t just for herself. “I want my kids to see hard work meet reward,” she says. She wants them to see their mum doing something she loves, and she wants them to understand that while it’s not always easy, it’s always worth it.
“Life is full of obstacles, but it’s easier to jump them on a horse.”
It’s fitting, isn’t it? Lynsey’s story is one of facing obstacles — injury, doubt, and juggling family life — but finding a way to clear every single one. Her story is a reflection of what it means to be a grassroots rider.
Lynsey Kennedy’s story is part of The Grassroots Gazette’s “My Year In Review” series — a celebration of the people and ponies who shape the heart of grassroots equestrianism.
These stories aren’t just about the wins, rosettes or successes. They’re about resilience of riders, growth of partnerships, and a community building. The Grassroots Gazette is here to showcase the riders who get up before dawn, work through the rain, and do it all because they love their horses. Lynsey Kennedy’s journey reminds us that perfection isn’t the goal — improvement is.
As 2025 approaches, stay tuned for more stories from riders like Lynsey. The obstacles are waiting. But so are the riders who will rise to meet them. We can’t wait to document more stories and journeys like this across the year ahead.
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