In this instalment of our Women in Sport series, we hear from event rider Aoife Clark on her sporting inspirations, biggest goals, and proudest achievements.
Aoife Clark is an event rider who grew up in Kildare surrounded by horses, but never dreamed of pursuing a career working with horses professionally. After studying Maths in UCD, Aoife decided to take the plunge and move to the UK to see if she had what it takes — and she never looked back.
Having performed at the Olympic Games in London 2012, Aoife’s seventh place was Ireland’s best individual finish in 36 years and helped the team to a fifth-place finish. She rose to 11th in the world rankings in 2013 after wins in Blenheim and Bramham. Aoife took a career break in 2018 to have her son Patrick and returned to top level competition just eight months later.
She has also built up a yard and business in Oxfordshire producing, selling and competing at top level.
Here, she shares her sporting story so far…
Earliest sporting memory?
I remember watching the Olympics late at night when I was tiny and really shouldn’t have been up. I was totally obsessed with it and I guess I might have caught the Olympic dream then!
How did you become involved in your sport?
I was that typical pony-mad kid, and never really grew out of it. I wanted to ride as much as I could, and as soon as I went cross-country I loved the adrenaline rush. I caught the eventing bug and was hooked.
What message would you like to share with young women and girls interested in pursuing a career as an athlete?
Never say I can’t and never listen to anyone telling you you can’t. Dream big, work hard, and anything is possible.
Proudest moment so far…
As a competitor, finishing individual 7th at the London Olympics. I’ve had some big wins, but London really made my career. Personally, I am so proud of Paris and just making it to compete there on the back of a horrible fall and being pretty broken for 12 months before. It really seemed impossible and I’m so proud of getting back up to make it there and I draw a lot of strength from that. Also having my son there to cheer me on and high-five on the way out of the arena was an incredibly proud and emotional moment.
The female athlete I admire most is…
In my sport Ginny Elliot was my idol growing up. She dominated the sport in a golden era of stars. Her sheer excellence and consistency to deliver was outstanding. Also growing up I was a huge fan of Sonia O’Sullivan. I think what I admired so much about her was to come back from the disappointment of 4th to win a medal. That drive and resilience really struck a chord and is something I really value in performance.
Favourite sporting memory…
London. I had success before, but for my friends and family who might not have followed horses or my sport, it suddenly made sense and was a huge watershed in my career. I remember standing outside the arena as others’ rails fell and I climbed into the top ten and eventual 7th, and I suddenly felt like that little girl with a dream of just riding at an Olympics, and this was surpassing all expectations.
The biggest stigma/misconception that exists in women’s sport is…
I’m not sure I’m best qualified to answer this, because I compete on a level playing field with men. It is something which I really love about my sport, and I’ve never had to deal with trying to be the best girl, but just the best.
Women can’t compete with men in strength with horses but we have other values. Ultimately excelling in horses is down to partnership, and that does not depend on strength, but on training and feel. You cannot make a half ton of horse do something if it doesn’t want to, so I’ve never felt at a disadvantage.
If I wasn’t an athlete I would be…
A vet, or something to do with animals and horses. I just love being around them and always have. In the depths of winter when I’m riding fresh unruly youngsters in armageddon type weather I do think I could maybe do something else, but I would miss it too much and love a bit of hardship!
My favourite pre-competition meal is…
Anything from pizza or pasta to sushi, I’m really not fussy, though I do keep it light before a big run as I seem to love riding very small horses. I also love food, so this doesn’t always go well together.
My pre-competition playlist includes…
Total mix — generally my son’s playlist which is on in the car or lorry on the way. He’s a big Saw Doctors fan and loves George Ezra.
My daily routine is…
There’s no typical day with horses! I’m a morning person. I get up at 5.30/6 and check the horses and feed, and usually get some ridden before the school run. I try to get everything ridden before lunchtime so they can chill out in the afternoon and rest, and I can get some admin, lessons, and other jobs or vets/physio visits done. I pick Paddy up at 3.30 or 4 and I like to keep the rest of the day free for Mum time so I might go for a run alongside him riding his pony or take him to clubs. Then early to bed with a bit of Netflix before.
My biggest sporting goal is…
An Olympic medal. I’ve come close enough before and don’t see any reason not to go for it. You have to aim high.
Sports brands I love (Irish or otherwise)…
My Uvex helmets and Secchiari boots.
Biggest splurge to celebrate a win…
Champagne. I love bubbles and don’t need much excuse.
How do you mind your mental health?
Balance. I’m so lucky to love what I do and I’m naturally a very positive person, but there are tough days. I love being a Mum and taking the attention away from myself and what’s been going on and putting things in perspective is so important. I really try to make sure I get that balance, and spend time with friends or family when things get a bit intense.
My three desert island beauty products are:
I am the queen of inconsistency and chop and change between the next miracle product! But I can’t live without Nivea lip balm, Moroccan Oil hair conditioner, and La Roche-Posay moisturiser SPF 50 — the joys of working outside all year round!
I need 8 hours of sleep a night because…
I don’t stop, the batteries need recharging at some point.
Confidence, to me, is…
Trusting the process, trust you’ve done work and trust your instincts. I love the phrase: ‘What goes through an athlete’s mind at moments of sporting brilliance? Nothing.’ It’s so true, and confidence is trusting yourself to do it when it matters.
How do you get over a bad performance?
I move on. There were times when I would beat myself up over everything I could have done differently but at the end of the day sport is sport and there are always peaks and troughs. I am a problem solver by nature and naturally positive, so I will look at ways to prevent it from happening again and move onto the next goal.
Lastly, why is sport such an integral part of community, on a club, local, national and personal level?
It bonds people together and brings the strongest friendships and life lessons — being able to deal well with winning and losing, overcoming adversity, bouncing back, and not giving up. The best friends I had growing up eventing are still my closest friends now. I’m the only one mad enough to still be doing horses, and they’re starting into round two with their kids on ponies, but it is a shared bond that we will never lose!
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