At the end of 2019, we caught up with Irish Event Rider Cathal Daniels after his amazing year following his podium finish with the Irish Eventing Team at the World Equestrian Games in 2018, culminating with his fantastic Bronze Medal at the 2019 European Eventing Championships in Luhmühlen. The following is the Interview and what Cathal had to say.
Hi Cathal, thank you for taking the time to chat with Irish Sport Horse Magazine. You have had an amazing 12 months since your silver medal with the Irish Eventing Team at WEG 2018. We just want to ask you a few questions so that our readers can find out a little more about you, and your career with horses up to this point.
We know that you come from an Equestrian background but when did your first begin to ride?
I first began riding independently at around the age of 4.
Were you bitten by the horse bug straight away, or was it a slow burn?
I think it was pretty much the norm to be riding a lot, as my parents had a riding school in Galway, so I guess it was straight away.
Were you always drawn to eventing as your sport of choice, and what do you enjoy most about it?
I was quite keen on showjumping and racing to be honest, however the turning point came towards eventing when at 15 and I achieved double gold at the Pony Europeans. This success meant that I wanted to focus a little more on Eventing.
Who was your greatest Inspiration and who did you train with through the years?
Actually there were a few. Mainly show jumpers like Paul Darragh, Eddie Macken and Nick Skelton. I enjoyed watching them all.
You definitely had a super career as a Junior & Young Rider and you are carrying that talent forward. We think we may know the answer to this next question but we will ask it any way. Who has been that special horse in your career so far and why?
Well it has to be Rua. The fact that we have embarked on the journey together, and to get to where we are today, it means that she is extra special! She is owned and bred by Mags and Frank Kinsella.
You had a great win at Kilguilkey Horse Trials with LEB Lias Jewel (ISH), can you tell us a little bit about that Competition and what Jewel is like as a horse?
Well LEB Lias Jewel stepped up to 4* there and although it was her first time at the level, I set out with the frame of mind that we were not there just to take part so it was good to see the plan pay off. Jewel is a home bred mare and owned by her breeder Jo Breheney.
Spectacular Performance at the Europeans this year for You and Rioghan Rua, can you tell us a bit about the competition and how it felt to win that Medal and share the Podium with such amazing Eventing Stars?
Well the dressage can largely be credited to Ian Woodhead the HP coach as we had worked all winter trying to ensure we had her calm and collected in the arena to perform to her best and it worked. Cross country is always her strongest phase and so we were focused and everything went to plan. Show jumping was just a case of going into the arena as if it was just another clear round to be jumped and not to think too much about the occasion.
It was amazing to be stood on the podium next to two legends in the eventing world that have had such a huge influence on our sport. Hopefully it won’t be the last time.
What are your plans for next year as we head for Tokyo 2020?
Well I think basically to head out to Portugal in the spring and try to remain focused on the plans I have for each horse and keep focused on the qualifications all the horses need for their season ahead. The event season will come around fairly quickly and the clock to Tokyo 2020 will be always ticking away in the background but I will try and remain focused on the day to day management of the horses.
Different question now, when you are heading out to buy a new eventing prospect what do you look for in a horse?
Temperament is key;, as is confirmation, a good walk and of course, good natural ability over a fence would be key factors.
Have you any rising stars in you Stable Yard at the moment that you are excited about?
I’m incredibly lucky to have some super young horses. As well as LEB Lias Jewel who we have already mentioned I have a very smart 8 yr old owned by Michelle Nelson and Kieran Connors called OLS King Aragon who was very good at Blenheim 8/9 yr olds and then was penalised on a flag rule in the Nations Cup in Boekelo in the 4*L format, but otherwise jumped outstanding . Not forgetting Sammy Davis Junior also owned by Mags and Frank Kinsella.
If you had one piece of advice to offer a Young Equestrian starting out what would that be?
I would think, work hard, stay focused and most of all have fun doing what you do. I believe I am very lucky to have a career in a sport that I love.
Cathal Daniels.
This Interview was originally published in the November 2019 Issue of Irish Sport Horse Magazine. Cathal Daniels and the wonderful Irish Sport Horse Mare, Rioghan Rua were on the Cover of the Magazine that month, with the wonderful action shot provided by Radka Preisler Photography.