Originally from Ireland, Mark has been in contact with the horse world since he was a boy.
As the son of jumpers, choosing this world as a way of life was entirely natural for him. Working with his father, Mark was off to a successful start, winning the bronze medal at the European Championships for Ponies in the team category, and a Young Rider national championship title in 2005.
After representing Ireland in the 2004 Junior European Championships in Villamura, Portugal, he left his home country at 22 years old to move to Cervia, Italy. There, at Lalla Nova stables, he worked with young horses, then transferred to the stables of the Valenzano-Menada family in San Remo, riding their horses at a top level. In 2015, he decided to move to Geneva to open his own business, La Tuilière Competition, along with his partner Charlotte Mordasini, a member of the Swedish show jumping team. In 2017, another confirmation of his ability and top-level riding came when he was named ‘rookie of the year’ by Horse Sport Ireland.
The following year, he rode with the Irish team at the European Championships in Gothenburg.
This rider has great qualities not only as an athlete, but also as a person: Mark’s kindness and courtesy are clear to everyone he meets.
Among his many victories and achievements, being part of the team that took fifth place at the 2021 European Championships in Riesenbeck is one to remember.
(Photo: Sportfot)
