Meg Kep rides On Cue, Sinead Halpin's newest upper-level prospect.
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Sinead Halpin announced her new syndicate last month, which offers shareholders the unique opportunity to own shares in both Manoir De Carneville and On Cue, her newest upper-level prospect. I met Cue in person during the Howdaa Working Student Bootcamp last weekend, and I can assure you that she is fancy fancy fancy. Kristin Michaloski has purchased the first share in the syndicate, which I imagine won’t have available shares for long considering the quality of these horses. Cue is a 6-year-old Selle Francais/Thoroughbred mare bred by Jolyse and Alyse Clancey of On Horses in North Yorkshire, England. Helen Bell took Sinead on a horse-shopping spread in northern England after Burghley, and Sinead ultimately brought Cue back with her when she returned home.
“She was the first horse Sinead and I have ever agreed on,” head groom Meg Kep said. “When we first saw her standing on the trailer we could tell right away how nice she was. Then Jolyse brought her out and flatted her, and we were both wowed.” Meg said she and Sinead couldn’t stop sharing secret grins; they both could tell this mare has a big future ahead of her. “She’s Sinead’s type: light and floaty,” Meg said. “She’s an impressive mover and is just a nice horse all around,” Meg said. “She’s got spirit. When she jumps she flips her tail up; it’s really fun to watch. She definitely has that saucy French personality. The difference between her and Tate is that you can see all her emotions in her big, beautiful ‘Radar’ ears.”
Cue competed at pre-novice in England, which is the equivalent of training level in the U.S., before coming to the States. She was ready for preliminary, but the flooding and heavy rain in England prevented her from moving up. Cue’s first event in the States was at the Horse Park of New Jersey, where she and Sinead won their training division. The mare completed the 2012 season at the Virginia Horse Trials, where she scored a 26.8 in dressage, ultimately finishing second. “She’ll move up to preliminary in the spring,” Meg said. “When they are this naturally talented it’s easy to forget how young they are. What’s most important is making sure she is fit and ready before moving her up. There’s no point in rushing her; she’s going to be so nice.”
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