In Memoriam: Patrick Thomas Conolly-Carew, seventh Baron Carew (IRL), 1938 - 2024

The FEI has paid tribute to Lord Patrick Thomas Conolly-Carew, seventh Baron Carew, who passed away on 18 December 2024 at the age of 86.

An Olympian and five-star eventer, Lord Carew represented Ireland in Eventing at the Mexico 1968 and Munich 1972 Olympic Games. He was chef d’équipe of the Irish Eventing team at the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games and officiated as the Chairman of the Ground Jury for Eventing at the Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games.

Lord Carew was on the silver-medal winning Irish team at the FEI Eventing European Championship 1962. He completed Badminton eight times and was on the Irish Nations Cup team for Jumping.

He served as the President of Horse Sport Ireland from 1979 to 1985 and was Chair of the FEI Eventing Committee from 1989 to 1997. Subsequently he became an FEI Honorary Board Member and an Eventing judge.

Lord Carew was born in London to William, the sixth Baron Carew, and Lady Sylvia. He and his brother and two sisters grew up in Co. Kildare, Ireland where horses and ponies were a huge part of their lives. He was educated at Harrow, then commissioned into the Royal Horse Guards, The Blues. He served in Cyprus and Germany, then in the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. During his time at Sandhurst, Lord Carew started competing in Eventing.

Upon retiring from the army, he returned to Ireland with his family. He is survived by his wife Celia, their daughters Virginia, Nicola and Camilla, and son William.

Lord Carew was buried in a private ceremony. A Thanksgiving Service in his memory was held on 17 May 2025 in Co. Kildare.

The FEI expresses its sincerest condolences to Lord Carew’s family, his many friends around the world and the Irish equestrian community.