Biography

Irish team and Olympic rider Sarah Ennis (49) last competed at Badminton in 2022 albeit did not complete. She has three previous completions of the event. In 2023 with Badminton entry Grantstown Jackson she was 22^nd at Pau – a first 5* for Jackson – and the pair was a member of the Irish team at last year’s European Championships in France (14^th).

Sarah is based in Dunboyne, Co. Meath where she runs Stellor Sport Horses and livery yard. In 200 with Woodcourt Garrison she was a member of the Irish Olympic team and the pair was also a member of the team for the 2019 European Championships in Luhmuhlen. In 2018 with Stellor Rebound she was a member of the silver medal team at the WEG in Tryon (5^th individual).

Sarah and her four sisters all rode as children – three of the four still compete – influenced by their mother, a keen rider. Her first memory is of riding her sister’s Shetland pony Christopher. She progressed through the Ward Union and Howth Pony Clubs and the Irish Pony Society. She competed in pure dressage and at the age of 15 was awarded her first Bronze Saddle. Aged 18 she began eventing and in 1996 was selected for the European Young Rider Squad. In 2012 she won the three-star at Ballindenisk with BLM Diamond Delux and at the end of a successful year was the highest ranked Irish rider in the world rankings. With Sugar Brown Babe she was a member of the Irish team for the 2013 European Championships in Malmo and the 2014 WEG in Caen. In 2017 with Stellor Rebound she was the highest placed member of the 4^th placed Irish team at the European Championships in Strzegom.

Sarah trains with Ian Woodhead, Ethen Ahern and Chris Bartle. She is a keen sailor and diver and is qualified to Dive Master level. She is married to Nicolas Potterton and the couple has a 14-year-old son.

Grantstown Jackson is a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse registered gelding. Bred by Caroline Widger he is by Clover Brigade out of a thoroughbred mare by Right Win. He was acquired as a six-year-old from Ciaran Glynn as he felt he was too big on him. Sarah says; ‘he went out number 1 at the Europeans and was amazing – I will be forever proud of him’. This is the second Badminton horse for the owners who formerly owned the mare November Night ridden by Ciaran Glynn who completed in 2017 & ’18.