Offaly rider shows potential in International Horse Trials
Success for 16 year old at senior level
A TALENTED young horse enthusiast from near Tullamore is showing great potential in eventing and dressage competitions.
16 year old Maeve Deverell is a Junior Eventing and Dressage rider based at Annaharvey Farm, Tullamore. She recently won the CCI2*S class at Ballindenisk International Horse Trials in Watergrasshill, Co. Cork, riding Annaharvey Dunowen, a horse owned and bred by her father, Sam Deverell.
Although eligible to compete as a Junior, this was a Senior international class, where Maeve competed against experienced professional riders. She has consistently performed at this level, having placed 2nd in both the CCI2*L at Ballindenisk in September and the CCI2*S at Lisgarvan House International Horse Trials last summer.
Following her latest win, Maeve has moved up to 15th place in the FEI World Rankings for Junior Eventing, having started the 2026 season ranked 20th.
In early April, Maeve also competed at the FEI Dressage Spring Classic at Hartpury College in the UK, in the CDIJ Junior class. Riding two horses, Annaharvey Dunowen and Annaharvey Firefly, she achieved a podium finish on the opening day (3rd place) and followed up with strong performances, placing 4th and 5th over the subsequent days.
These results mean Maeve has now met the criteria for selection for the FEI European Championships for Juniors in both Eventing and Dressage — a rare achievement, made even more notable by being accomplished with the same homebred horse.
Maeve previously represented Ireland at the FEI European Championships for Children on Horses in 2023 in Kronberg, Germany.
Annaharvey Dunowen, bred at Annaharvey Farm, was born in 2013 and is by Radolin. His dam, Who Dun It, was also bred at Annaharvey by Maeve’s grandfather, Henry Deverell.
At national level, Maeve has also had a strong start to the season, winning both Eventing Ireland EI110J classes she has contested so far this year at Tyrella and Vesey Lodge.
The Deverell's are a very well known local family with a successful business at Annaharvey Farm.