Megan Harris, a 20-year-old event rider from Cork, has always been passionate about horses. Balancing her time between riding out racehorses and studying equine nutrition, with a background in veterinary nursing, Megan’s life revolves around her love for equestrian sports. Her dedication and hard work recently paid off during the TRI Grassroots Championship with Eventing Ireland.

The weekend of the championship was a whirlwind of emotions for Megan. Despite receiving a challenging dressage mark of 34.5, she and her horse, CSF Quality Surprise (affectionately known as Kiwi), maintained their composure and consistency throughout the event. Their performance was nothing short of spectacular, culminating in a beautiful double clear inside the time. Kiwi’s impeccable cross-country round demonstrated their strong partnership and skill, ultimately earning them a well-deserved 5th place in the 100 Grassroots Championships.

Reflecting on the event, Megan’s pride in Kiwi’s performance was evident. She remarked, “The thing I was most proud of was definitely how Kiwi tackled the combinations throughout the course. Her confidence and straightness were remarkable. Straightness has always been an issue with Kiwi since she was young, making combinations very difficult for her. So, to feel her looking for the flags was a very proud moment indeed!”

The atmosphere at the championship added to Megan’s overall experience. She highlighted how the electrifying environment and the supportive nature of everyone present made the event special. “My favorite moment over the weekend, of course, was having such a straightforward and smooth ride, but also the people. The atmosphere was electric, and everyone was so kind and motivating over the few days,” she shared.

Preparation for such a significant event requires meticulous training and planning. Megan emphasized the importance of being well-prepared, both mentally and physically. She diligently trained Kiwi, ensuring she was in peak condition. Watching training videos and staying focused on their goals helped them feel ready and confident.

Kiwi, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse (ISH), has a fascinating background. Bred at Connolly’s Stud Farm in Galway, Kiwi started her career as a showjumper. Megan began riding her when she was five and decided to buy her at six, marking a significant turning point in Kiwi’s career. Megan’s patience and training transformed Kiwi from a showjumper to a versatile eventer.

Describing Kiwi’s personality, Megan said, “Kiwi is quite chill, not spooky but hot. She gets quite bothered in busy warm-ups and is quite difficult to ride in dressage as she is naturally quite hot. However, she loves the buzz of a competition and thrives off it.” Kiwi’s strengths lie in her jumping phases, and she particularly excels on technical cross-country courses with a good gallop track.

Ensuring Kiwi is in peak condition for a championship involves a lot of effort and coordination. Megan takes Kiwi galloping, trains with her trainers, and works closely with her vet to maintain Kiwi’s health and fitness. Megan believes Kiwi’s special quality is her huge heart. “She has a huge heart and will always try her hardest. Even if I get her into something out on track that isn’t great, she will always try her best to find a way out of it. She has a great attitude towards her work, which I think is so important in a horse,” Megan expressed.

Megan credits her success to her mentors, Killian Browne, Rebecca Dunlea, and Vitaliy Halstyan. Their constant support, training, and advice have been invaluable. She also acknowledges the incredible support from Sceilig Sport Horses, Hyde Equine, and especially her mother, Rhoda Harris, who is always there to support her.

Gratitude extends to her sponsors, Mackey, Leovet, and Ryall O’Mahonys, who play a crucial role in helping Kiwi look and feel amazing. Megan’s advice to those looking to compete in the Grassroots Championships next year is simple: “Try your best, put your horse first always, at home and in the ring. Trust in you and your horse as a combination and have fun!”

Looking ahead, Megan’s goals for the rest of the year include competing at Kilguilky International 2 in the 1* and aiming for another international event before the season ends.

“A huge thank you goes out to the Grassroots Gazette, TRI, Eventing Ireland, Horse Sport Images, and Peter Fell at Ballindenisk for running such a lovely event with great people and a fantastic atmosphere”.

Megan’s journey at the TRI Grassroots Championship is a testament to her dedication, the bond with her horse, and the supportive equestrian community around her. It was a cracking weekend and there was some incredible grassroots talent on show.

This is Part 2 of a series of articles dropping this week around the TRI Grassroots Championship with Eventing Ireland. If you haven’t checked out Gary’s earlier article, give it a read.

Until Next Time,

Shane