Baby Banana came into my life in the summer of 2014. His Dam Drama was bought by the Colwills and I got to know their daughter Zoe whilst backing a few Connemara’s for them. She thought Drama’s body looked strangely shaped when she was heavily pregnant, and gave her the nickname big banana. It therefore followed that she named Drama’s big, gangly, hunk of a colt ‘baby banana’ and, 12 years on, it seems to have stuck (he comes to the call).

I could spend hours, even days, talking about the trials and tribulations of our early days together. Looking back, he wasn’t an attractive foal, he walked like a duck and had no presence, but somehow we clicked, so I decide to take him on. I kept him entire for as long as I could, he grew strong and developed well, but time and land security meant the op was needed just before he was 4. After that we gave him a year off to allow him to settle down and mature.

My close friend and protégé Sinead Kenna took the early ride under my tutelage and I recall the backing sessions we had at home, her long plaits flying in the breeze, and him lolloping around gaining balance and confidence. Banana’s first BD was in July 2020, he and Sinead swept the board, taking everything in their stride.

Due to Sinead’s Uni commitments and travel, I took on the ride a couple of years in, taking him up through the levels with what felt like relative ease and vigour. By summer 2023 we’d reached PSG and everything in the garden seemed rosy. The difficult days started later that summer when his behaviour changed and he was assessed by numerous people for unspecified lameness, all of which were inconclusive. Banana was subsequently diagnosed with ulcers and had to endure significant treatment and time off. Despite this intervention, his behaviour didn’t improve so I knew we hadn’t quite nailed the problem. Later that year, and many thousands of pounds later, a new vet took charge of his treatment and following comprehensive X-rays, recommended a significant back operation. In Spring 2025 he went under the knife  and we took our chances.

To say he came back a changed horse is an understatement; following meticulous rigour and patience through extended rehab, he returned to the training arena with an enthusiasm and flair not visible or felt before.  Today he feels mechanically freer and more nimble, and he’s taken to Grand Prix like a pro.  This once ugly ducking is performing at the top of his game, demonstrating his desire and ability to evolve into the very best version of himself.

I’m having the journey of a lifetime with this kind and genuine soul, long may it continue ❤️