Kate Negus

"I have bridles that are well over 5 years old and look as good as new. I put this down to the excellent quality and workmanship for the Kate Negus range."

My parents have always been apple farmers in Kent. I was brought up helping on the farm. I was very lucky to have horses aswell, which became a true love for me. My parents also bred horses, so most my time was spent breaking and training them. I then started teaching local friends aswell. I am married to Richie Hourigan who is a carpenter. He is also a hunting man who has spent most his life hunting in Ireland with the Scarteen Hunt. 

My first top horse was a large pony called Kiltinane Spot he was only 14.3 but he had the biggest heart . We went on to be on the British Young Rider team, gaining a team bronze medal and coming 6th individually. My next main horse was a home bred Dazzling Effects , she went on to be 2nd in a 2* and 16th at Burghley. Also, I changed to riding for Ireland and was reserve for the Europeans. Next came I´ve Been Dun, she went on to be a cross country machine, winning Hartpury 2* and Punchestown 3*, she was also 9th and 10th at 4*. She represented Ireland at the Europeans and was reserve for the Olympics. I was also reserve for the same Olympics on a mare called Hyanie D´Aubrie who was second in a 3* in Portugal. Another mare that I won 3 day on was a mare called Just Maisie II, she won the 1* at Chepstow.

Having mares that are retired now is good for our breeding programme. Dazzling Effects has breed our second generation of homebreds. The first I sold to Spain. Her second, Side Effects, by the show jumping stallion Caretino Glory, is now four, and is in foal, so will be my third generation of homebreds. Her three year old will go in foal this year. I´ve Been Dun has had two foals so far, and is expecting again this year. Hyanie D´Aubrie (owned by Caroline Richardson) has a foal now and is expecting next year. I love breaking and producing horses and I particularly love mares!
 
My string of horses has a gap at top level at the moment, but I have lovely horses coming up. Cleopatra has had an injury but will back at 3* this year. Ibanito CP, an anglo arab from Spain, will aim towards advanced and 3* this year. Dutch Double Take will aim at 2*. Quiran Kantaral and Themis will run at 1* and then some Intermediates. I also  have Findon Fiasco, Woody´s Girl, Opposition Light and Marian´s Wood, who wiil all aim at Novice and then a 1*. I also have four five year olds that will learn this year at pre-novice. They are Willow the Wisp, Rock A By Babe, Iceman and Caspher.

I have my BHS AI and Pony Club A test. My main aim is to win a 4* because I have won a 1, 2 and 3*...so only 4 to go!
 
I get no lottery funding lottery being Irish, but i get great support from my owners and sponsors Kate Negus and Mark Todd

"Since using the Kate Negus Stud Girth I realise how much damage my horses have been doing to their bellies."