Eric Smiley, Ireland

At the age of 28, after spending ten years in a Cavalry Regiment, Eric decided to pursue a professional career with horses. He achieved his British Horse Society Instructor qualification while training at the world famous Talland School of Equitation and returned to Ireland where he and his wife Sue established Fir Tree Farm 23 years ago.

In 1982, Eric became Irish Field Event Rider of the Year and gained his first team selection in 1985 for the European Championships at Burghley. Since then, he has represented Ireland at two European Championships, gaining team bronze on both occasions, three World Equestrian Games, and he has been on four Olympic teams competing at Barcelona and Atlanta. A consistent and regular participant at Burghley and Badminton, he has also represented Ireland at all levels of International competitions throughout Europe.