Quick Fire Questions with Overlander Brand Ambassador Holly Lenahan
There’s life behind the polished boots, perfect plaits and competition results, and we caught up with Overlander Horseboxes brand ambassador Holly Lenahan to find out a little more about the personality behind the rider.
From sliding saddles to curry cheese chips, Holly gave us the inside scoop on horses, shows and everything in between…
“Khal neighs at EVERYONE…”
Every rider knows horses have personalities, and according to Holly, some have very loud ones.
“Khal is very social and chatty, so he neighs at EVERYONE,” she laughs. “It does tend to wind the young horses up at home.”
And if her horses could talk?
“My horse Wiggy would definitely complain about flies. They drive him mad, so I have to cover him in fly spray every day.”
A relatable summer struggle for every horse owner in Ireland.
Showground Essentials? Curry Cheese Chips.
Forget protein bars and smoothies - Holly’s go-to show snack is proudly old-school.
“Big fan of a curry cheese chip.”
Honestly, same.
No Lucky Socks Here…
Unlike many riders, Holly doesn’t rely on superstitions before heading into the ring.
“I actually don’t have any,” she says. “When I was younger, I tried to create one by picking a lucky necklace and wearing it to shows. Needless to say it didn’t bring me any luck, so I let that one go.”
Proof that sometimes preparation beats superstition.
Early Starts or Night Classes?
For riding, Holly is firmly Team Early Morning.
But when it comes to spectating?
“To ride - early morning. To watch - late night.”
There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere of a big evening class under lights.
The Saddle Situation…
Every rider has that moment they wish nobody had photographed.
For Holly, it involved a forgotten breastplate and a slowly disappearing saddle.
“Once I forgot my breastplate and my saddle slowly slid back and back throughout the course,” she says. “It wasn’t funny at the time, but the photos were ridiculous! The girth was nearly around his flank by the end.”
Safe to say it’s one she can laugh about now.
“No, I’m Not Going to the Olympics…”
One thing Holly wishes non-horse people understood?
“Yes, I’ve trained every day for the last 20 years, but no, I’m not good enough to go to the Olympics.”
A brutally honest reminder of just how competitive equestrian sport really is.
Fence of Choice?
When asked her favourite type of fence to jump, Holly didn’t hesitate.
“Love an open water!”
Definitely not the answer most riders would give…
The Best Reward After a Show
For Holly’s horses, the best post-show treat is simple.
“Lots of kisses and a pick of grass.”
Sometimes the little things mean the most.
And If She Wasn’t a Showjumper?
“I have to admit that I am not very naturally sporty,” Holly says. “I tried football and camogie in school but, to my dad’s disappointment, it was not my thing…”
Her alternative sporting career?
“Maybe long-distance running?”
We’re sticking with showjumping.
At Overlander Vehicles, we’re proud to support riders like Holly Lenahan - talented, hardworking, horse-mad and always ready with a good story from the ring.
