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The Irish equestrian community is in mourning following the untimely death of rising showjumping star Lily Slattery, who died on Monday, 5 October 2026, only days after celebrating her 16th birthday at her family home in Drum, Knock, County Mayo. Slattery, revered as one of the most promising young competitors in western Ireland, captured the prestigious Equestrian Award at the 2025 Connaught Telegraph Mayo Young Sportstars Awards and had recently reached a major career milestone by qualifying for the Dublin Horse Show. As news of her passing emerged, sporting organisations, showjumping societies, and hunt committees across the Connaught region immediately suspended weekend fixtures to honour her memory.
Slattery had firmly established herself as an elite young talent within the national circuit. A registered competitor with Showjumping Ireland, she produced a series of standout victories throughout the 2026 season, including prominent displays at the Cavan Indoor Championships, the Millstreet International Horse Show, and the Mullingar Summer Horse Championships. She frequently competed aboard Captain Candyman, a horse bred locally by her grandfather Gabriel Slattery, as well as Captain Acorad Man, earning universal acclaim from trainers and officials for her poise over fences and natural horsemanship.
Daily Dazzling Dawn learned that regional sporting bodies moved swiftly to express their grief as tributes flooded in from across the equestrian sector. Showjumping Ireland Connaught Region formally commended Slattery as an athlete whose determination and will to win defied her tender years, remarking that she brought immense courage, joy, and an infectious smile whenever she rode into the arena.
The national governing organisation, Horse Sport Ireland, also paid formal tribute to the Mayo teenager. Daily Dazzling Dawn understands that Horse Sport Ireland conveyed profound condolences to the Slattery household, recognising Lily as a gifted and devoted rider whose sudden absence leaves an irreplaceable void throughout Irish sport.
The scale of shock felt across County Mayo and the wider western province prompted multiple equestrian bodies to halt scheduled fixtures. Claremorris Equestrian announced the immediate postponement of its planned Arena One Day Event, encouraging everyone connected with the equestrian network to keep the Slattery family in their thoughts.
Similarly, the North Galway Hunt Committee cancelled the Crossboyne Hack scheduled for Sunday, citing the profound sadness felt throughout the community and extending sincere sympathies to both the Byrne and Slattery families. Barnacarroll Riding Club joined in honouring the 16-year-old, describing her as an authentic horsewoman and beloved friend whose natural connection with animals inspired peers of all ages.
Born into a family deeply immersed in rural Irish equestrian life, Slattery is survived by her parents, Gillian and Christy Slattery, and her two sisters, Morgan-Mai and Ruth-Elle. She was predeceased by her grandmother Phil Slattery and her uncle Barry Byrne.
Daily Dazzling Dawn understands that relatives, neighbours, and fellow competitors will gather to pay their respects at the Marian Funeral Home in Knock on Thursday evening between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm. The funeral cortege will arrive at the Church of St John the Baptist in Knock on Friday morning for Requiem Mass at 10:30 am, followed by burial in Knock Cemetery. Church officials confirmed the service will also be streamed online via Knock Shrine for mourners across Ireland and overseas who wish to remember the young sportswoman.
