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Eimear and Hannah here, just giving ye all an account of how we had a fantastic weekend at RACE in Sept. We sent in a letter in July and we were absolutely thrilled to be some of the 10 lucky members going to RACE. Hannah’s mam, Deirdre took us up on the Fri.
When we got there we met the other eight participants. After lunch out we went to the yard and got to ride out a horse. Eimear was on Curling bird and Hannah rode Wee Marty. Then we had 2 hours of Fitness training and games. Then supper time and afterwards we played games and watched a dvd.
Saturday started at 7.30 with breakfast, then out to the yard to feed and muck out. Then we all rode different horses. After lunch we went on the simulator. We both loved being on the simulator. Then Caroline Hutchinson called in to visit us. She told us how she got into racing. She was very interested in how we were all getting on and how we became involved in horses. Then more riding and fitness work.
On sat night all us girls brought our mattresses into the sitting room and eventually went to sleep. Tomorrow we would know who won and I was getting very excited.
Up early again on Sunday, breakfast and yard duties. Got to ride a different horse again. At 12.30 our parents collected us and brought us to the Curragh Race Course.
Some of our pony club members came up to receive their prizes from TRI Equestrian for winning the Junior Horse Trials Championships and the Senior Tetrathlon Competition. It was great to meet with Colum, Jill, Lucy, Jodie and Ali and their parents.
Next up was the presentation to the winner of the Curragh Irish Pony Club Jockey Skills 2011. The ten of us were all hopeful as we had all worked really, really hard for the weekend. We couldn’t believe it when we heard Eimear being called out.
She met with Michael Halford the trainer who is going to give her a weeks work experience next summer and also received a voucher from TRI.
Thanks to everyone who made this a fantastic weekend especially Michael Halford, TRI Equestrian, The Irish Pony Club, the Curragh Racecourse, RACE and to the parents who supervised us for the weekend.
Eimear O’B and Hannah R