Hi everyone, I’m Niamh Mahon, part of The Next Generation. This is my beloved Royal Ark – Archie has been the horse of a lifetime.

I have had the privilege of leasing him for five and a half years. I took him on when he was 15 in my leaving cert year. He had a lovely steady life and was happy to just do whatever I asked of him. Little did I know what was to come. 

Archie carted me around my first registered EI tracks from 90 to 100. We achieved dressage scores of 26% in eventing and 75% in Dressage Ireland. He was a pleasure to bring anywhere. Ask anything of him and he will always try his best. 

Image courtesy of horse sport images.

At now 21 years of age, his age is slowly catching up with him. He has been retired from eventing and competitive showjumping but that doesn’t stop him taking the dressage field by storm bringing home ribbons every outing. Archie gave me much more than ribbons and prizes, he provided me with the break from study and took every worry and care away. He owes me nothing, yet I owe him the world!