Martin

Impeccably mannered but with a definite sense of humour, this glorious confidence-giver is cherished by the entire Hill family

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THIS page has found a new role: matchmaking. Beautiful grey Daphne (Hunter of a lifetime, 6 March) caught the eye of Surrey-based Caroline Hill, who wrote to H&H “on behalf” of Martin, an Irish Sport Horse she bought for her daughter, Lottie.

In his missive to Daphne, Martin said: “If you fancy meeting up to be terrifyingly brave together, I feel we could have a lot of fun.”

Fun is Martin’s middle name and he has restored it to Lottie Hill’s life. Aged 13, her promising showjumping career was cut short by an accident that destroyed her confidence.

“She went from competitive to not wanting ride at all,” explains Caroline. “We needed something that would look after her.” A six-month search ended in Cheshire, where they “fell in love with Martin. He had an old-fashioned, noble look, a gentleman”.

Their vet Rory O'Shea agreed: “Exactly what we need, a schoolmaster and he is as sound as a pound.”

Bred by Martin O'Meara from Tipperary, hence “Martin”, to showjump as Grennanstown Covers, he evented up to CCI2*, but found his métier with the North Staffs and then the Cheshire with the Higgins family.

"I SMILED ALL THE WAY HOME"

LOTTIE had never hunted before: “The first time, I cried cantering along, I was having so much fun. I smiled all the way home.”