Category: Old Friends

Grennanstown Sarco Luxhill

Posted on | by Hilary Manners

Name: Grennanstown Sarco Luxhill

Former Owner: Graham Smith & Holly Smith

Foaled: 2010

Sex: Gelding

Height: 17h

 

Breeding:

Shannondale Sarco x Olympic Lux

Bart was purchased by Holly and Graham after seeing him jump in the 3yo loose jumping at Millstreet Horse Show. Always super careful and a great competitor, Bart and Holly went on to be crowned 7yo National Champions amongst many other age class titles.

Bart made the move a stone’s throw away in the same village to the talented young rider Tabitha Kyle. Tabitha went on to win a Team Bronze at the Children on Horses European Championships, whilst narrowly missing out on an individual medal. 

Quarrycrest Echo

Posted on | by Hilary Manners

Name: Quarrycrest Echo

Former Owner: Graham Smith & Holly Smith

Foaled: 2007

Sex: Gelding

Height: 16.2h

Breeding:

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Holly and Graham bought ‘Red’ from Cavan’s Elite 3 Y/O Sport Horse sale in Ireland. He was bought as a show jumping and eventing prospect and went on to successfully show jump up to 1.25m level with Holly. She also dabbled in the eventing scene with him and it became obvious that he would go on to achieve great things in the sport.

As a 6 year old Red and Holly won at novice level, before he was sold on to Kate Walls for Piggy March (nee French) to ride. The rest of his success is history…

He went on to win a Team Gold at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon – USA, followed by a Team Silver medal at the European Championships in Luhmuhlen – Germany the following year.

Red was a real character and full of mischief, but Piggy brought the absolute best out of him for his long-term owner Jayne McGivern.

Quality Old Joker

Posted on | by Hilary Manners

Name: Quality Old Joker

Former Owner: Graham Smith & James Mossman

Foaled: 2008

Sex: Gelding

Height: 16.2h

Breeding:

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A mountain of a horse who was originally spotted and purchased by Graham Smith at Gorsebridge Sport Horse Sales as a raw 4yo.

In joint ownership with James Mossman and after a couple of seasons hunting with James, George returned to Holly @ Fox Covert to great success.  A real Derby and Puissance specialist who could easily turn his hand to a speed class.

One of only 61 clears ever Hickstead Derby for a 2nd place finish.
Clean sweep of GB Puissance wins, Hoys, Olympia, Liverpool, Bolesworth.
HOYS Speed horse of the Year 2017.
2* GP winner Oliva Nova ‘16.

Dougie Douglas

Posted on | by Hilary Manners

Name: Dougie Douglas

Former Owner: Graham & Holly Smith

Foaled: 2005

Sex: Gelding

Height: 16.2h

Breeding:

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Dougie Douglas sells for €1.4m

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This special horse was the start of an incredible story.  

Doug was bought on Holly and Graham’s first trip to Goresbridge Horse Sales in an attempt to raise the quality of the trade horses they had for sale. He was bought as a lightly backed 4yo for €5,800.00. His talent and the partnership between Doug and Holly quickly became obvious. Despite offers at nearly every show they attended along the journey, we took the decision to let the dream carry on through as far as the partnership could go.

In a whirlwind 6 years, despite Holly never having competed above 1.20 level previously, he and Holly progressed straight through to 5* Nations Level.  Despite a few obstacles along the way, including the birth of Holly and Graham’s daughter Rosie and a terrible leg break for Holly.  Doug won all the way through his career before being sold for €1.4m as a 10yo.  

Doug was a special horse, the type many of us dream of. I cannot thank him enough for everything he did to help my career and he truly deserves the wonderful home he has with Katherine Dinan in the USA, who loves him equally as much as I did.  

Thank you Dougie.