Aoife grew up in Co.Kildare, an area steeped in horses and racing. Having cut her teeth on the hunting field from a very young age, she took part in all sorts of pony club activities, working hunter ponies, and spent school summers working on race yards, even enjoying a winner at the Punchestown Festival. Through pony eventing and representing Ireland on two European Championship teams, Aoife really caught the bug. A Maths degree at university, various other academic qualifications, several office jobs and multiple attempts to steer her in another direction failed, and finally when a very naughty 5yr old came along when she was 25 she took the plunge to move to the UK to try and make a career out of it full-time. That naughty 5yr old happened to be Master Crusoe, her horse of a lifetime, who took all her patience and resourcefulness to find a key to. From terrifying episodes on a hunting field, trying to “educate him”, to even scarier Novice events where he had a habit of bolting to the lorry park and had to be led everywhere, to two Badminton Horse Trials and an individual 7th at London Olympics. He really kick started everything. As a shop window for her ability, owners and other rides soon followed, and she owes him everything. He is still enjoying a very happy retirement at Sycamore Farm, with the top stable in the yard.
Other notable rides include the wonderful NZ thoroughbred Vaguely North, owned by Henrietta Duchess of Bedford, an amazing cross-country horse, who finished top ten at Badminton horse Trials.He is also enjoying a lovely retirement in NZ leading young racehorses up the gallops. Also Fenyas Elegance, with whom Aoife won both Blenheim and Bramham CCI4L, two of the premier four stars in the world - the first Irish rider to do so and one of only a handful of riders to win both. In 2013 having had a top ten at Badminton, won Blenheim, and a silver medal with the gorgeous Fernhill Adventure at the World Championships for young horses, Aoife was also nominated for Irish Sportswoman of the year.
While Aoife has some wonderful owners, she was finding it difficult to make the financial ends meet up by competing and livery alone, and using some of her business background, she realised that for her, sales were the only way to make a proper living out of eventing. She has always had a great eye for a quality athletic horse, helped by her racing background and a love of the TB influence. Among the achievements that she is most proud of, is to have sourced, produced and sold horses to other five star riders that have gone on to great success.
The downside of course of sales, is a lack of horse power at the top level as the horses would be sold when they started to compete at a good level and show promise. Having taken some time out to have her son Paddy, her focus has returned to building up some strength in depth alongside the sales operation, through syndicate and investment opportunities. This has really developed over the last year and everything is now building together towards a shot at Paris Olympics in 2024.
Sycamore farm has been the base for AC Eventing last thirteen years. It is brilliantly located in Oxfordshire, at the heart of the eventing world in the UK, to take advantage of the wonderful training facilities within close proximity and a spoiling choice of events to pick and choose from. The yard’s facilities have developed over the years too, and now include a superb 60x30 outdoor arena, 3 furlong hill gallop, covered horse walker, excellent daily turnout paddocks, and a bright and airy American barn.
Most importantly ACEventing has a brilliant team, headed by Amy Marlow - competition groom and yard manager, and supported by Matteo Corsi - stable rider and young horse producer, and Hannah Gold who is who helps on admin, as well as on the yard, and with Paddy. Aoife could not do it without them, and they are a vital part of the success of the yard.
Amy joined in July 2021 and is the lynchpin around which everything else can operate. Meticulous in her attention to detail and planning, she does so in such a calm way that the yard is an extremely well run but relaxed place to be. It creates an atmosphere that both horses and humans thrive in. Despite getting terribly travel sick Amy is also competition groom and travels with me to shows! Again, her calmness and attention to detail is such an attribute in the high pressure environment of top level competition.
Matteo has been here since January 2022 and is stable rider, as well as an incredible handyman! He is equally at home sitting to the bucks of an excited three year old as he is surrounded by tools and fixing all the countless things horses like to break. He has a great way with the young horses, easing them into their future careers as competition horses, and ensuring they have enough variety and understanding to enjoy their jobs. He will also start them out in their first competitions up to Novice level.
Hannah had been helping out at weekends in 2022 and we were only delighted when she agreed to come on full time from January this year! As well as helping out with the yard and covering for Amy and Matteos days off, she looks after all the social media and webmin for AC Eventing, liaising with sponsors and coming up with ideas to help us promote their brands. She also helps out when Paddy is off school and being “helpful” on the yard. He loves makes lists of “Hannah and Paddy’s” jobs, which are so hilarious we have run out of room on the fridge to put them.
Peter has been looking after our horses for over ten years. He knows the horses so well, and is always on hand to give them the highest level of care, deal with injury concerns, and to help them perform at the very best of their ability. He works as part of Valley Equine Hospital in Lambourn and has a huge amount of experience which we are so fortunate to be able to call upon.
Annabelle is a huge part of our team here and has been since we moved to Sycamore Farm over ten years ago. She is a qualified veterinary physiotherapist, and her opinion and feel on the horses, along with her huge knowledge and experience are an enormous advantage to us. She is also on site at the major three-day events to help with any stiffness or strains during competition.
Wayne has recently set up on his own and has started shoeing our horses this year. He has a real attention to detail and a great eye for how the horses are moving, and for anything we can do with their shoes to help support them. He also works closely with the rest of the support team to provide the best results for each horse.
Iain not only keeps the horses in top order but also the humans! Ironing out any aches or pains and treating any imbalances before they become a major problem. He works closely with Annabelle and Peter to keep them in top condition.