What makes top event pony Midnight Dancer tick *H&H Plus*

This family-produced Connemara has won pony European gold medals for both Ellie Healy and her younger brother, Finn. Pippa Roome profiles the sensitive grey who does whatever is asked of him...

Midnight Dancer

Age: 10
Owner: Ellie Healy
Current competition rider: Ellie’s brother, Finn Healy
Greatest achievements: 11th national pony championships at Brand Hall 2018; team gold pony eventing European Championships 2018 (with Ellie); fourth national pony championships at Brand Hall 2019; team and individual gold pony eventing European Championships 2019 (with Finn); 28 top-10 placings in British Eventing horse trials, jump training and jumping and style (JAS) competitions 2015-2020 (with Sarah, Finn and Ellie Healy)

Sarah Healy, mother of riders

“We bought Midnight Dancer as a four-year-old in Ireland from the Doyle brothers. He was the second of about 10 Connemaras, who were all just sat on and ridden away – but Ellie didn’t think ‘number two’ was an acceptable name, so she called him ‘Casper’.

“He was my favourite as I was looking for a more blood type and something that wasn’t massive because I knew he would grow. When he trotted he had real movement and when we saw him ridden, the lad missed him to an oxer and he obliterated it – but he never missed a beat and the next time, he boomed off the floor.

Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.