A family that knows horses for courses

Vicky Clarke and her family never take a summer holiday, but they've seen "every field in Europe", she believes.

While others pack their sun creams and shades, the Clarkes load up the horses and head for the equestrian arenas of Britain, Denmark, Sweden, Poland or wherever the next competition is being held. And they do so with remarkable success.

Vicky and her husband, Willie, have six children, all of whom have represented Ireland in equestrian sport. From Bennekerry, two miles from Carlow, the family's roll of honour is lengthy.

William, who first represented Ireland nine years ago at 11, took the world gold medal in this year's three-day eventing championships for young riders in Gloucestershire. His twin, Louise-Jane, specialises in dressage and, with William, represented Ireland at the European pony championships in Copenhagen.

Victor (26), a law graduate, represented Ireland in two European championships and won a polo scholarship to Argentina. While there, he played daily on a 30,000-acre farm, dislocated every bone in his body and "had the time of his life", says Vicky.

Nicole (24), also a law student, has won the British side-saddle championships, a gold medal at European level and the prestigious Silver Spurs, awarded to Ireland's top young riders, three times.

Jill (22) is also a Silver Spurs winner and won a silver medal at the European pony championships in Belgium in 1994, as well as a team bronze.

Victoria, the youngest at 15, made her debut at the Dublin Horse Show four years ago and has competed in the British Young Rider Championship. This year she won a Community Games gold medal.

Vicky and Willie, a solicitor, were both horse-riders before they met so it was inevitable the interest would be passed on. It's an active life and occasionally tough. "Sometimes you're standing in a field somewhere in miserable weather and things are not going well, but we have a lovely time.

"It can be a heart-breaking sport, but after an event, if one of them has had a bad day, they're allowed to moan for 10 minutes and that's it, they have to forget about it and move on," Vicky says.