Jessica Dunn Declared for Ireland

Dressage

Ireland

British Grand Prix rider Jessica Dunn has declared for Ireland. She is aiming to compete at the 2026 World Championships in Ireland.

"The Country That Has My Whole Heart"

Dunn made the switch in nationality officially in January 2026.

"From January I’ll be riding for a country that has my whole my heart," Dunn stated in December. "Eighteen months ago whilst (I) sat watching the world's best, I had a little idea. It’s something I have wanted to do for a really long time but never been brave enough.

Dunn credits Paul Morgan amongst others for giving her the push to make the change.

"Paul and I are in our 10-year ‘workaversary’ this year and I’m forever grateful," she said. "Danny (her horse dan Its Carston), for taking me to a place in my career where this move made sense and obviously dad for being Irish in the first place so I could do this. I am so excited for the coming year ahead."

Jessica Dunn

The 36-year old Dunn made her international show debut as a junior rider in 2007 on Dunn to a T (by Wendekreis). She returned to the CDI after a decade in 2018 with Alicante Valley (KWPN, by Caricello x Nimmerdor), first at small tour level before moving him up to Grand Prix in 2021.

In 2021 Woodcroft Ferdinand (by Furstenball x Weltmeyer) and in 2023 Hokita (by Dream Boy x Havidoff) made short CDI appearances, but it was the now 13-year old British warmblood Dan Its Carston (by Durable x Clearway) that took her career to the next level. They debuted in 2023 at small tour level and rode their first international Grand Prix in Hartpury in July 2025.

Dunn and Dan have obtained her MER criteria to compete for Ireland at the 2026 World Championships in Aachen by achieving 66%+ scores in Hartpury and Wellington Heckfield.

Jessica is based at White Hill Stud in Lancashire, Great Britain. She grew up around horses as her mother worked at racing and hunt yards. She has more horse power in the barn, including Lord Lenny (by Lissaro van de Helle x Likoto xx), WHS Funtime Frankie (by Franziskus x Ferro) and Penhaligon Jackson (by Jameson x Gribaldi).