MEET THE GRASSROOTS WRITERS

Say hello to our team of AMAZING writers here at The Grassroots Gazette. Here you’ll find more of their articles, you can get to know them a little better, and soon you’ll be able submit topics that you’d love your favourite writers to cover!

It gives us great satisfaction to see the tight-knit community of writers that have emerged from the creation of The Grassroots Gazette, and we think it’s fair to say that these are the changemakers we will be thanking in years to come. To all of our incredible writers, thank you for your ongoing support and contribution, and to everyone that comes here to view the writer profiles, we hope you thoroughly enjoy getting to know them all. 

Please feel free to submit your own form below if you want to become a writer and be the change you want to see in our equine world!

Amy Smyth
Irish showjumper and freelance groom based in Cavan. I produce horses & ponies across all disciplines. Brand Ambassador for GoCompete.ie
Nina Reinbold Molloy
Living in Ireland since 2010, I am a qualified Coach & Horse Trainer (Bereiter FN) and worked in the equine industry since 2001. I am passionate about the training of Young Horses and helping riders to reach their goals. Coaching is not my main profession anymore, since 2015 I am employed in the medical device sector and pursuing coaching/training as a passion on the side.
Aoife ODonoghue
Hello! My name is Aoife O’Donoghue and I am 15 years old. I am in third year in The Ursuline Convent Thurles. I live in a small village called Clonoulty, just outside of Cashel in county Tipperary. I am so lucky that from a young age I have been surrounded by horses and ponies. I’m very grateful to have the support of my whole family, especially my parents, who have always been around to help me work towards my dreams and achieve my goals.
Brendan Bergin
My core philosophy is to focus training and coaching on research rather than opinion. Our empowering process allows students to self actualise in their chosen field. I am a Performance Coach, BHSI and FEI recognised IGEQ Level 3 with a BAgrSc-Eq (Hons). I specialise in how horses learn and horse and rider biomechanics.
Daithi O Lionachain
A passionate follower of point to point racing, national hunt and promotion of the sport to wider elements of society. Works in the Property Development Industry and has seen the benefits of being involved in the sport from a Business Development and Social perspective. A supporter of start up racing syndicates and having a proper regulation and vetting of same.
Chloe Hester
I’m a 30 (cough, cough) something veterinary practice Manager, who in my spare time loves nothing more than riding and training my own young horses with the assistance of my Dachshund Tails, or when not on the yard you will find me drinking a glass or a bottle of red with a block of cheese.
Anna Suess
Horses have been a part of my life for the last 29 years and especially after my father passed away when I was 5 years old they became more and more important to me. In October 2018 I followed my dream and quit my job as case manager in child protection, sold whatever I could, squeezed my dogs and my most important belongings into my car and left Germany towards Ireland.
Gary Monahan
Amateur event rider, based in Co Louth Trying to balance working full time, family life and my passion for horses. Blessed to have a great network of family and friends to join me on my journey to living my dream. Passionate about everything in the equestrian world. Believing we can all make the change once we work together.
Rebecca Treacy
Hi, my name is Rebecca. Just a girl who physically and mentally never "grew out" of the pony phase. I was the first horsy person in my house but am lucky to live in the countryside & have been supported by family who helped me have horses for over half my life at this stage.
Courtney Hickey
Hi! My name is Courtney Hickey. I am 25 and come from Conna in East Cork. I am fortunate enough to live in a place that is deep rooted in racing. I am Passionate about the Horse Racing Industry, industry. I am particularly passionate about the Point-to-Point side of the industry along with Sales and Breeding. I also love to learn more about the different sides of the industry when I can.
Shane McCarthy
Shane has been blazing a trail in startups, social media and marketing for the last 10 years. Through his Brand Management and Advertising firm VRM, he has helped a range of top companies in sports, betting, media, and hospitality navigate the choppy waters of marketing in the digital age. His passion, however, is start-ups.
Emer Mc Namee
Emer McNamee is a fully qualified & insured Equine Massage Therapist with EquiFlexx Therapy. A Bachelor's Degree in Equine Management and over 20 years experience in the industry. Emer believes all Equines, from a riding school pony, an amatuer showjumper, 4* eventer or a grade one chaser, they are all Athletes in their own right. Passionate about increasing Equine performance while reducing the risk of injury and improving recovery rates.
Emma McCauley
Qualified and insured Coach with the BHS and HSI, I am a BHSII stable manager , BHSAI APC and HSI level 1, I also hold a diploma in Equine and Stud Management, Degree in Human Resources and also a degree in Business and leisure management. I have been working in the industry since 2007 and been around horses for 20 plus years.
Jen Keavey
Jen Keavey and her thoroughbred Porter live in Galway where Porter lives his best life, and Jen assists him. When she is not busy keeping Porter happy, Jen is an artist and teacher. She creates detailed textile and coloured pencil artworks of native wild animals and horses. She has her own business and online shop selling her artwork, and teaches art and creativity workshops to children and adults, as well as doing commissioned work.
Jess Matchett
My name is Jess, I was born and raised on a farm in South Africa. I have been horse mad since a very young age. One of the reasons I moved to Ireland was to become involved in the stud industry in one of the best horse breeding countries in the world. It's safe to say my life now revolves around mares and foals, and I love it!
Gillian Beale King
Gillian’s hands-on, multi generational equestrian upbringing, top class international training, and focused innovation and passion allow her to train, compete and coach with the utmost success. Gillian’s US based Main Line Sport Horses, LLC. was taken on by family when Gillian accepted the role as Head Rider at Belline Estate.
Marie Fitzgerald
I am a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner and have a Bachelor's Degree in Business in Equine from AIT. I am currently studying to become a craniosacral therapist while also having a few other smaller courses on the go. I love learning new ways to help horses so I am continuously finding courses to get stuck into. I am from Co. Clare but I travel around the country treating horses of all breeds and disciplines, from racehorses to showjumpers to happy hackers.
Mark Hester
Hello there. My name is Mark Hester. I'm an Registered Master farrier based in Roscommon, my business covers a vast area in the west of Ireland. I am also a passionate Irish sport horse breeder and a keen breeding enthusiast of all breeds of work horses competition and leisure horses to race horses . During my time as an apprentice farrier I represented Ireland on the very first Irish young breeders team in Aarhus Denmark.
Louise Daly
I love all things equestrian which I squeeze into working full time in financial services in city centre. Apart from hunting or showjumping i can be seen at GAA fixtures with my sons or helping my husband with his busy livery yard. And finally, I love a good cup of coffee in the mornings!
Muireann O'Toole Brennan
My name is Muireann O Toole Brennan, I live on the Carlow/Laois border. I work in a pretraining yard in Wicklow - we mainly have thoroughbreds but also show jumpers. I have three horses of my own and take part in showing and riding club events.
Nicola Dee
Hi there! My name is Nicole Dee and I’m a sixteen year old groom and aspiring showjumper. I hope by writing for The Grassroots Gazette I can pass on any tips and tricks of the trade and show people what it’s like to be a professional groom.
Oisin Hogg
My name is Oisin Hogg I’m 16 years old In the past year or so I have started up the beginnings of my business O.H Showjumping ,I have started training competition ponies and horses for myself and owners using my own modern methods of training hoping to reach the equines full potential !
Oonagh O'Brien
Oonagh O'Brien provides informative, descriptive and honest reviews, showcasing equine and canine products to potential customers. As one of online's most established communities of its type - Oonagh prides herself in offering the community a detailed insight into products, before they buy them.
Julie Edmondson
Julie's interest in animals started when she began riding at the age of four. She has owned and produced her own horses. She has competed in show-jumping, leisure riding classes, plays Polocrosse and hunts with The Galway Blazers.
Patrick Hester
Equine business professional specialising in equine coaching, training, international sales and marketing and knowledge transfer via Stall Patrick Hester Norway and The Irish Horse Centre Platform.
Sadhbh Kelleher
Hello! I’m Sadhbh, the face behind “The Connie Chronicles”. I enjoy sharing the highs and lows of juggling being an amateur equestrian around working full time to fund the habit while also being a Connemara pony enthusiast.
Sarah Campbell
Just another ordinary equestrian living life one neck strap at the time. I have 4 horses and one on the way. Our first homebred! I still have my first pony star too, who is 25 years young. Currently building on own yard on a shoestring budget and loving it.
Sarah Darker
I am a twenty one year old college student and I am also the proud owner of an ex point to pointer and an Irish Draught cross foal. I have grown up around horses and hunted from a young age. My childhood was spent racing around the forests at home, challenging my sister to jump-offs and figuring out how I could avoid doing flatwork and the “serious stuff”. I’m not an expert, nor do I pretend to be.
Sarah Elebert
Dressage and Event Rider based in Co. Meath. Currently a HSI Level 2 Coach awaiting the Level 3. I have also received qualifications in Equine Science, Equine Breeding & Reproduction & Equine Nutrition with 20+ years in the Equine Industry. I am hugely passionate about helping horses and riders through top-quality training and coaching from grassroots level and up.
Selma Page
I live in Wicklow, I have one horse and one dog. The horse is spoiled and the dog is crazy and they make my life better every day. I spend most of my time looking after other people's horses to pay for my own and I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I’ll never be sensible and have a ‘proper job’.
Jodie Carter
Hi! My name is Jodie, I am a twenty-year-old college student at University College Dublin and rider from Dublin. I am also a waitress in a pub in Dublin to make some money keep me going. My love for horses is general, however I am currently show jumping (or trying to!) with my horse Arbois-O a.k.a. Cooper.
Nicole O'Donovan
I am as strong headed as much as I am strong-willed. I will fight for what I believe in, am passionate about, and for what is right. I will stand-up for myself as well as others that may not feel like they have the strength too. Women empowering women always!!!!
Shannen Buggy
Graduate from Hartpury University specialising in Equine Performance, Rehabilitation & Therapy. An equestrian professional, freelance coach, trained veterinary nursing assistant and horse owner/rider.
Shane Rooney
I'm Shane Rooney (aka The Peaky Blogger). I am a 24 year old racing fanatic from Portumna, Co. Galway. Here is my story.
Sharon Bronsveld
After earning my bachelor’s degree in equine Cranio sacral therapy in The Netherlands I entered the equine world to explore my passion for equine health. I quickly came to realise that most health issues are related to the diet. This is when I decided to study some more. I am a certified and trained equine herb, feed and supplement specialist and at the moment I am studying epigenetic, orthomolecular medicine.
Zoe Jane Smalley
I’m 32 and work for Henry de Bromhead alongside studying in WIT. My main role is the international racing although I could be found anywhere in England or Ireland!
Susan Elliott
Susan Elliott qualified from McTimoney Chiropractic college in 2002, becoming one of the first qualified animal chiropractors in Ireland. Over the last 20 years she has developed her skills to include a variety of soft tissue techniques that enhance or replace joint manipulation, thus offering a treatment tailored to individual requirements. Her aim is to improve mobility, performance and health of horses and ponies.
Rebecca Keane
I am a 19 year old Irish dressage rider working and training in Germany. Proud to be part of Equitas, I hope to inspire women all over the world to achieve their goals and follow their dreams. Believe in yourself, dare to dream and most importantly, enjoy the JOURNEY!
Tess Walsh
I am an older, not so much wiser woman with a love of dogs, horses and the coutnryside. I love to ride and while I can manage, I have no aspirations to turning professional or joining the Irish Olympic Team. I am happy to ride to my level and enjoy my horse and my learning journey. I believe that without volunteers, we would have no shows or training clinics.
Laurie Kearon
I live in Ballinaclash County Wicklow. I moved to Ireland from South Pembrokeshire Wales in 1995 bringing my Welsh ponies with me. In 2010, started the Ballinacarrig Welsh Pony stud when the Welsh Section A stallion, Afan Hilldrift was purchased.
Mike O'Flynn
My name is Mike, and I’m a 25 year old entrepreneur/equestrian/outdoor enthusiast. I’m also the CEO of The Grassroots Gazette and HorsePay, so I’m hell-bent on protecting the future of our incredible equine industry for generations to come! My favourite saying would have to be, “if it’s important to you, you’ll find a way, if it’s not, you’ll find an excuse!”
Carly Sterling
Chrissy Hawkins
Chrissy Hawkins is an online fitness coach and Neuromuscular therapist, Specialising with working with horse riders on fitness for riding, injury prevention/rehab and improving their confidence while riding.
Eimear Coleman
I'm 23 years old. I breed connemara ponies in Co. Limerick under the prefix 'Clounanna'. I love working with youngstock and compete in in-hand showing with my ponies. My pride and joy is my Connemara stallion, Doohulla Dunally a.k.a. Cliff.
Heather Lemmon Kiely
I'm Heather, the human from Freya the Connemara. I've been riding and working in the industry for 30+ years. I'm a self confessed "jack of all trades, master of none" but I've recently been told there's more to that saying.
Helen O'Hanlon
Helen is a fully qualified life coach, horsemanship instructor and secondary school teacher who lives in County Cork, Ireland. She is a member of the Association of Coaches, The British Psychological Society and a member of the Teaching Council.
Kitty Wheeldon
Hi! My name is Kitty and I moved from England to Waterford in October of 2019. I have always been passionate about horses and was lucky enough to be head groom on an international show jumping yard for a little over two years. I now work in the marketing and media side of the industry and write a blog in my spare time, so when the opportunity to write in the Grassroots Gazette presented itself - I jumped at it straight away. I hope you enjoy my articles!
Lorna O'Hare
Owner of Equestrian Reality (equestrianreality.com). Professional operations manager, equestrian business manager, equestrian coach and groom. Writer of things, dreamer of dreams, drinker of gin. I believe that the purpose of life is doing the things that set my soul on fire. I work to live rather than live to work - hard work fuels everything and gives me the means to achieve. Riding with passion, aiming for goals, realising the lower levels on my journey while always staring at the stars.
Anna Fee
Anna holds a BSc in Equine Science, Dip Veterinary Physiotherapy and she is the owner of Via Equine and Via Equine Sport Horses. As Anna says, she may be small but she can pack a big punch or at least give a good little indent! Horses have been her life since she was 2 and throughout her college years, post grads, certs etc, for her, it always boils down to the industry and the love of the horse.
Brendan Murphy
My name is Brendan Murphy, I come from a family steeped deep in horse racing and breeding. We've had varying success over the last 50 years within the industry from owning and breeding and training group performers to hitting rock bottom and completely flopping for periods of time. I've witnessed stuff of fairytales and experienced the lows of nightmares. I'm here to try and do what I can to help people avoid the bad days and make the most of the good times.
Aoife Brady
Aoife Dadabhay Brady is an experienced Art & Design specialist Teacher in the Post Primary Education sector, with an interest in further areas such as editorials for school publications. She is from Dublin, now living in Cavan and working in Navan, Meath.
Wendy Condon
Lorraine McElroy
Susan Gorman
I have been riding horses for 30+ years, learning to ride before the safety standards caught up! I have a beautiful mare called Maisie who I aspire to bring SJI. Passionate about horse welfare, education and training as well as riding. An ordinary person enjoying an extraordinary sport!
Laura Sinnott
Leah Kent
Hi, my name is Leah Kent. I am a veterinary physiotherapist based in the South East of Ireland, working nationwide. I also travel back and forth to the UK routinely to lecture in veterinary physiotherapy at Writtle University College.

Become a Grassroots Writer​

The Grassroots Gazette is here to revolutionise the voice of equine community.

It is a platform to tell your story the way you want to tell it. The Grassroots Gazette is the first digital equine magazine by the people for the people that literally grows from the ground up!!

We wanted to create a platform and media brand that would cover every sod of earth, every blade of grass and every drop of rain across our industry.

Sign up here to become a writer for The a Grassroots Gazette by filling out a write application.