Straight From The Horse's Mouth: Toni Donnelly

Hello and welcome to the 26th Straight from the Horse's Mouth podcast on Horse and Field!

My latest conversation, in my quest to highlight the depth of talent and expertise in our local equestrian world was with Toni Donnelly, whose name will be familiar to many of those listening.

Toni’s dad, Paddy Mullen, on ‘Grecian Gold’, who was his hunter and Toni’s amateur show jumping horse; Toni on ‘Majestic Gold’, sister to ‘Grecian Gold’, with her son Anthony on board; and Toni’s brother Brian on ‘Bridge Cat’ - all three horses were successful in RDS, Balmoral and/or Millstreet in the show jumping and Working Hunter ring.

Originally from Meath, Toni grew up with horses and was greatly supported and encouraged by her dad, Paddy Mullen, doing Pony Club activities as well as hunting and hunter trials when she was younger, before she embarked on a ‘career’ in amateur show jumping.

A very, very young Toni on ‘Tina’ the Shetland.

Toni and ‘Grecian Gold’ winning on the Irish Amateur Show Jumping Team at Fife in Scotland in 2000.

Then, by accident, she discovered Working Hunter and, with her fabulous mare, ‘Majestic Gold’, she enjoyed great success at Balmoral and Dublin, before going on to compete at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show.

Toni and ‘Majestic Gold’ were HOYS finalists in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Toni Donnelly (centre) on Judging Duty!

Toni’s academic background includes a Higher National Diploma in equine studies at Aberystwyth; from there, she went on to get a degree at Writtle College. She completed placements for each course, which she has found invaluable to her equestrian career.

Toni (second from left) was on an Irish Pony Club Mounted Games Team that travelled to Windsor Horse Show.

Toni completed her British Horse Society teaching qualifications and, more recently, did Horse Sport Ireland coaching qualifications too. She currently has a strong coaching career, alongside a longstanding role at CAFRE and also breeds horses and Connemara Ponies.

Toni enjoying hunter trials at what was her local Meath Hunt.

Toni’s coaching clients include riding club and Pony Club groups, as well as individuals who compete in showing and Working Hunter classes - many of whom have had great success both here and on the mainland.

Toni Donnelly pictured with Clara Daly, who won the Junior Equitation Class and Championship at Dublin Horse Show.

Toni has also judged at various shows around the country and includes Clifden on her judging CV.

With the showing season fast approaching and in light of qualifiers being introduced this year for Balmoral’s Connemara classes, Toni and I had a really interesting chat about her equine background, her own plans for the season ahead and preparations that are required for anyone who wishes to show or do Working Hunter classes.

Toni pictured with her daughter Katie on the Connemara stallion, ‘Silver Gent’, the youngest combination and placed at the RDS.

I hope you enjoy our chat!

Stay tuned for the next Straight From the Horse’s Mouth podcast on Horse & Field.

Toni and her dad, Paddy Mullen, after a great RDS result.