Casey-Lee wins at Dublin Horse Show for the third year in-a-row!

A YOUNG Strabane girl is continuing to make a name for herself in the equestrian world having won at the prestigious Dublin Horse Show for the third year in-a-row.

Following on from her successes in the Starter Stakes in 2023 and 2024 on the Welsh Section B, Bunbury Suarez, Casey-Lee Millar stepped up this year into the 133cm Show Hunter Pony Class on her novice Irish bred pony, Out of The West - or Alfie as he is known at home.

Following an initial pull into second place, the Strabane Academy pupil and Alfie performed a beautiful show and perfect conformation phase in front of the judges and moved up into first place.

"Alfie was bought last autumn hoping to make a working hunter pony for this year as he has remarkable Connemara breeding," 12-year-old Casey-Lee’s proud mum, Eileen, explained.

"We did some working hunter shows when we got him but all the ponies were off over the winter to give us and them a well earned break.

"When we started back to work in late February and the more Alfie developed, I started to think he would actually make a lovely show hunter pony (SHP) on the flat.

"So, we entered him in the Royal International (RI) Qualifier at Mullingar Equestrian Centre back in April - but only because Jenson (Bunbury Suarez) couldn’t do RI this year because of a judging clash.

"They actually won the qualifier and went on to be placed second in the Open 133 SHP class at Hickstead in July.

"I suppose we are really still on a high from that and we went to Dublin with absolutely no expectations because although Alfie is seven, this is actually his first year showing at this level.

"He previously showjumped in Ireland as a four year-old and did a few agricultural shows with his previous owners in Wales last summer.

"We didn’t know how he would handle the atmosphere in Dublin because it's an electric atmosphere, there’s so many people ringside and so much noise from the main arena.

"We were just hoping that Casey-Lee and Alfie would enjoy the class and have a good time.

"Alfie was amazing but he didn’t do it all by himself.

“Casey-Lee is a very empathetic rider. She has an amazing bond with all her ponies.

"She has worked so hard with Alfie to have him schooled as well, if not better than Jenson.

"She does all the work with the ponies herself with me and her instructor, Kyle Hayes, at home as we are totally home produced.

"So to win at Dublin with Alfie is just amazing and we are very proud of her!"