Twenty-one year Engineering student, Nicola FitzGibbon fell in love with a big bay horse in 2004 when she rode him in Europe - and he was bought!

It was Nicola's dream at this time to make the European Junior Team with the 7 year old Puissance and she did and performed very well indeed, just after a few short months of owning the Andiamo gelding.

The combination went on to represent Ireland at the European Championships as a Young RIder, again performing exceptionally well over huge tracks.

As time has gone on, combining riding with her university studies, Nicola and "Pardy" as he is affectionately known have gone from strength to strength and last week at Dublin Horse Show they won the 8 year old and over class over a huge and technical Alan Wade track and they have backed it up a week later winning the National Championship at Coilog Equestrian Centre.

No doubt this combination will be looking for Nations Cup selection as well as some traveling for international competition.