Biography

Irish rider Jim Newsam (40) from County Down last competed at Badminton in 2017 – his second Badminton completion with Magennis, his entry this year also. The pair won the CCI3* at Ballindenisk last September. A professional rider and coach he completed his first Badminton in 2013 and later that year represented Ireland at the 2013 European Championships in Malmo – his championship debut.

Jim’s father was a point-to-point rider and his mother, who has been involved with horses all her life, was for seven-years the DC of the East Down Pony Club of which Jim was a member. His parents run a trekking centre in Co Down. In 2010 Jim gained his biggest success when he headed the three-star at Ballindenisk with Magennis who was then just eight-years-old. In 2011 he finished 21st on his four-star debut in Luhmuhlen with the mare Lara’s Song (who then went to British rider Lisa Keys) with who he completed Burghley.

Jim trains with Ian Woodhead and Terry Boon. He is married to Emma (nee Ponsonby) who also competes. The couple has a 3 year-old boy, Jamie who loves riding his 10hh pony Jack. Jamie has just joined Jim’s old Pony Club, The East Down.

Jim is a keen follower of rugby, racing and golf and enjoys skiing and socialising with friends. In the off season Jim has formerly worked on set for the Game of Thrones series as an extra rider and actor double. He has previoulsy spent a month filming in Spain and has also worked on the Lost City of Z film.

Magennis owned by Carole Hawthorne and rider is a 17-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding – at 17.2hh one of the largest in the field. Bred by Patrick Tiernan is by the Irish-based Holsteiner, Limmerick (Lancer II-Caletto II) – also the sire of four-star horses Shannondale Titan, Loughan Glen Graf Liberty and Longwood). He is out of Inishkea who is by the thoroughbred Zero Watt (sire of four-star horses Zero Flight, The Biz and Woodside Alcatraz). Magennis was bought as an unbroken three-year-old from his breeder, Patrick Tiernan from Co Down. Jim also rode Magennis’s younger full sister Tullybee Holly Golightly to three-star and in 2013 competed both in the CIC3* at Camphire.