For 17 years I had the pleasure of owning Hallowberry Kalypso. An Irish Sport Horse who stood tall at 16.3 with a unique colour of strawberry roan, a very gentle gelding. 

He was a head turner and well known on the competition circuit but at home he was Scooby Doo, carefully and kindly looked after by Mam & Dad when I was aboard for college or work. 

He was that one particular horse who I truly believe was worth his weight in gold. Not only was he kind, gentle, extremely well mannered and careful he also was brave and willing to tackle any challenge and question out crosscountry but more importantly he minded his pilot. Having saved my skin not once but twice he owned us nothing. Scooby Doo accepted Darrell into the family. That was a key moment, he was a great judge of character. 

He took me from ponies up the ranks of into Young Riders, and throughout the categories of Eventing up to the old two star level. He gave his heart and soul into his job at hand. Mam turned down some great offers for him back in the day as her and Dad knew he was here with us for a lifetime. 

We went on to be successful in the 2006 and 2007 Dressage Ireland Home International held in Marlton Stud, where we were placed and on one of the senior teams against some terrific international riders giving the Irish squad a tough competition. We then went on to win Silver Spurs many moons ago which was another remarkable achievement for us in Dressage.

We did plenty throughout the winter seasons in preparation for go time, our love of Eventing. 

Dad drove us north, south, east and west for eventing at early hours and late nights. During his later career we tried our hoof at showing, in 2016 we got to ride in the RDS, surrounded by fantastic family and supportive friends, it was an occasion to remember, not for the ribbons but for the magical memories created at such a pinnacle of a show on the calendars.

His presence was calming and the affection he gave was unconditional. He was my form of escapism. Away from academic achievements, he was my go to. Didn’t have to be in the saddle, just being around him was enough. We all know that happiness doesn’t come from awards and money, it comes from the smell of horses. 

He grew old gracefully with the helpful care and watchful eye of Mam and I who monitored him during end of his retirement, when at the age of 24 he called it a day. In the spring of 2019 I had to make that decision, that decision not for the faint hearted but one that our horses rely on us to make for them, when their welfare takes precedence over our emotional attachment. He is still the apple of my eye to this day. No other horse I will ever have will be capable of matching our Scooby Doo.

Them wonderful fulfilled 17 years went by fast. 

Time flies when you are having fun. My advice to anyone reading this is to enjoy each ride, you don’t know when it’ll be your last. Be grateful for the opportunity to have such amazing experiences with your pony or horse. It really does develop you as a person.

For all of your heart horses out there, hug them tight if you still can.