This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29058569
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Top showjumping horse was sold for one euro | Top showjumping horse was sold for one euro |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| An unwanted horse that cost its new owner just one euro (80p) has been selected to represent Ireland at an international showjumping competition. | An unwanted horse that cost its new owner just one euro (80p) has been selected to represent Ireland at an international showjumping competition. |
| Geraldine Graham, from Lenamore Stables in County Donegal, bought the mare from a friend who could no longer look after the animal because of its poor health. | Geraldine Graham, from Lenamore Stables in County Donegal, bought the mare from a friend who could no longer look after the animal because of its poor health. |
| The horse, renamed Lenamore Lucy Lou, was nursed back to fitness and is now worth tens of thousands of euros. | The horse, renamed Lenamore Lucy Lou, was nursed back to fitness and is now worth tens of thousands of euros. |
| Later this month, the mare is due to compete in a world contest in Belgium. | Later this month, the mare is due to compete in a world contest in Belgium. |
| 'Couldn't cope' | 'Couldn't cope' |
| Ms Graham bought the young horse from a friend in County Cork, who was having difficulty caring for the mare because she had a severe allergy to midges, known as sweet itch. | Ms Graham bought the young horse from a friend in County Cork, who was having difficulty caring for the mare because she had a severe allergy to midges, known as sweet itch. |
| The new owner said that at the time of the transaction, the animal's body was covered in sores and pus and she was "very nervous" and "really, really difficult to work with" due to her condition. | The new owner said that at the time of the transaction, the animal's body was covered in sores and pus and she was "very nervous" and "really, really difficult to work with" due to her condition. |
| "The man said he couldn't cope any more, she was too difficult and he just didn't want to be involved, and I said 'that's great, super, I'll have her'," Ms Graham added. | "The man said he couldn't cope any more, she was too difficult and he just didn't want to be involved, and I said 'that's great, super, I'll have her'," Ms Graham added. |
| "They were giving up on her and they just wanted rid of her," she told BBC Radio Foyle. | "They were giving up on her and they just wanted rid of her," she told BBC Radio Foyle. |
| "An old friend of mine told me 'never take anything for nothing'. So, I put my hand in my pocket and I took out five pounds sterling in Cork." | "An old friend of mine told me 'never take anything for nothing'. So, I put my hand in my pocket and I took out five pounds sterling in Cork." |
| Ms Graham said the man took the £5 note but gave her back five euros (£4). | Ms Graham said the man took the £5 note but gave her back five euros (£4). |
| "In actual fact, she cost me the difference. It was probably one euro at that time, but it was really just the gesture," she added. | "In actual fact, she cost me the difference. It was probably one euro at that time, but it was really just the gesture," she added. |
| 'Nervous' | 'Nervous' |
| Lenamore Lucy Lou was taken back to the family-run stables in Muff, County Donegal, where Ms Graham washed her repeatedly, fed her garlic and helped to rid of her the sores. | |
| Ms Graham's son, Kenneth, then helped to train her as an international showjumper. | |
| "I thought she was going to be a lunatic, and so she was" he told BBC Radio Foyle. | "I thought she was going to be a lunatic, and so she was" he told BBC Radio Foyle. |
| "She was very difficult at the start, but she came through, with patience. She was just nervous. | "She was very difficult at the start, but she came through, with patience. She was just nervous. |
| "It was all new to her, I suppose, being handled and it took a lot of time, slowly getting used to her. | "It was all new to her, I suppose, being handled and it took a lot of time, slowly getting used to her. |
| "She enjoys the attention now and loves being spoiled," he added. | "She enjoys the attention now and loves being spoiled," he added. |
| Kenneth Graham is due to ride Lenamore Lucy Lou in the competition in Belgium within weeks. | Kenneth Graham is due to ride Lenamore Lucy Lou in the competition in Belgium within weeks. |
| The pair will take part in the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Breeding Jumping Championships for Young Horses, which takes place from 17 - 21 September. | The pair will take part in the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Breeding Jumping Championships for Young Horses, which takes place from 17 - 21 September. |
| 'Phenomenal' | 'Phenomenal' |
| It is not the first time the horse has been abroad for international contests. | It is not the first time the horse has been abroad for international contests. |
| Ms Graham said at the beginning of this year's showjumping season, they took the mare to Belgium and France, where she was placed among the runners-up. | Ms Graham said at the beginning of this year's showjumping season, they took the mare to Belgium and France, where she was placed among the runners-up. |
| "In the lead up to the Young Horse Championships, she only went to four of the seven qualifiers and she led the whole way," she added. | "In the lead up to the Young Horse Championships, she only went to four of the seven qualifiers and she led the whole way," she added. |
| The Donegal breeder said she is still in contact with her good friend who sold her the mare, and added that the previous owner was very pleased for her, and has not offered to buy Lenamore Lucy Lou back. | The Donegal breeder said she is still in contact with her good friend who sold her the mare, and added that the previous owner was very pleased for her, and has not offered to buy Lenamore Lucy Lou back. |
| "It's just one of those nice stories, and they're happy with me, because in this industry it's very difficult to buy a top horse," Ms Graham said. | "It's just one of those nice stories, and they're happy with me, because in this industry it's very difficult to buy a top horse," Ms Graham said. |
| "I haven't got the money and to produce one yourself, from as little as a euro, is quite phenomenal." | "I haven't got the money and to produce one yourself, from as little as a euro, is quite phenomenal." |