Greetings from China, well where do I start, maybe with the day before yesterday ie Tuesday. We were up at 6am in order to get the second pee in and get breakfast and be on the bus for 7.45am (these early mornings are not good for my well being). I was pretty sore today (namely my ass) and my first horse had a really bad runny green snotty nose so we sent him back. Then they brought out Bredas horse for me to ride as well as Breda so I said I wouldn't ride as it wasn't fair on the horse so they brought me out a third horse which I rode. We had a man called Frank taking pics of us trotting around the place with our horses heads in the air!!! Anyway we all got to ride and got back to the hotel in time for a shower and some lunch and then we were on tour for the afternoon. We went to the silk factory for three quarters of an hour and I spent monies on a silk quilt, I could have spent the day there as there was a big shop which I missed out on, never mind. We then went into town to see an acrobatic show which was brilliant and then got back to the hotel just in time to have dinner and then go bowling. We were pretty tired by the end of the day, but we had the morning off so we were all looking forward to a lie in, except for having to get up at 8 to pee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday - got up to pee 15 mins late!!!!!!!!!!! We had breakfast and then I went for a massage with Brendan which was pretty sore!!, we had lunch and then made our way to the equestrian centre. My bum was really sore today when I was riding but we rode outdoors in the searing heat for about 40 mins and I got to ride my favourite horse Ladore again. He actually goes on the bit without a major struggle! Ka and Breda both rode well. We arrived home in time to sleep and shower and we met for dinner about 7.30 and I spent the evening chasing Dr Joe to check me and Kas injuries out. Ka had rubbed the insides of her legs and my arse was getting worse and I had swollen lymph nodes so Kas legs were dressed and so was my arse. I was then issued with double dose of antibiotics as infection looked like it was setting in.

Today Thursday 30th, I didn't sleep too well, so had a lie in till 9.30 (really late for my second pee!!!!!). Under Dr Joes orders neither Ka or I will be riding any more especially as we both have competitions at home next week. Breda had to be up at the crack of dawn to ride and Ka went with the crew. Addie has organised a tour to the great wall this afternoon so we are looking forward to that. Well I think thats most of my news. Sorry about lack of reply to emails we are just struggling for time and there is only one computer to serve over 60 of us!!!

I may not get to write again, so the plan is for one more day of training for all, except the injured. Saturday is evaluation day and shopping day and Sunday is home day, Yippeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!

Hi, well its now Sunday evening and its 7.15. We rode again this morning and it was awful. I wore myself into the ground trying to get my horse to go. They are old riding school horses used to teach the kids to ride and its really hard work. Our days are going as follows, up in the morn at 7am have a pee and drink at least two bottles of water before 8am so you can hand in a second sample for analysis and then you get weighed and fill in your questionnaire as to how your nights sleep went! As most of you will know this gets me off to a great start!! I then meet up with the rest for breakfast which I have had most days (surprise surprise) and then its off to the equestrian centre at 9am to ride at 10am. The three of us have 2 hrs between us and Ka and I ride together and then Breda goes. It was really hot yesterday but today believe it or not you'd think we were in Ireland. It was 20deg and pouring with rain. We had the company of two technicians today to weigh us before and after we ride to see if we lost any weight which we did except for Breda who for some strange reason put some on!! We get together for dinner at 8pm and then retire to the bar for a coffee!!!!!!! and we gotta be in our rooms by 11.30. So there you have all the boring details. The Chinese people have been great and they are really friendly. I have met a lot of people from the other sports and I am off to watch the Bocca tomorrow and hopefully have a go!! Till next time................

Well my pals, am in bleedin hot Beijing. We set off from Dublin at 8.30, thanks to Jim for dropping me off at the airport. Just over 60 of us left for Amsterdam and had an hour and a half to spear before boarding for China. It was a long 8 and a half hours. Met a nice lady from Germany and Eamon Heaney who Niall knows well kept me company for the flight. We landed in Beijing at 8.30 Friday morning and finally got to the hotel about 11.30. The hotel is very grand, the Chinese people looking after us seam really nice and so far so good. Doni and Adeline went off to see the horses. I had a shower and changed and had some lunch and spent the afternoon in bed!!

We have just had an athletes meeting and we have a BBQ happening outside tonight so am off to plaster myself in insect repellent!! So all is well thinking of you all, miss you lots. You can email me at eilishbyrne@aol.com and I can pick them up here. Lots of Luv Eilish

On Monday Paul put Youri out for a well earned break. When he brought him in Youri had somehow managed to cut the front of his right leg (the same one he injured before!!). Paul called the vet and he had to get a few staples in for 10 days. He was sound and I have been able to ride him and he will be fine thankfully.

My plan is to do an elementary test on Saturday to try and qualify for the national able bodied championships which are on in Sept.

I am off to China on the 23rd of August for ten days with the Irish Paralympic Council. This is in preperation for the games next year to see how we cope with the climate and to learn how we can best manage ourselves. We have showjumpers to ride twice a day. I should have access to a computer so will let you know how we are getting on.

Hi All you lovely people, well I am just about recovered from my weekend in Dublin at the Horse Show at the RDS. Paul and I headed off at 8am last Friday with Frodo (Nialls horse ridden by Ruth Chadwick) and my man Youri. I was a bit sick about towing with my little car and coping with the traffic in Dublin. It only took us an hour to get to Dublin and then at least another hour to get into arrivals. We met Sue and Ruth there and Paul and Ruth off loaded the horses and took them too the stables. I had to leave arrivals and try and find somewhere to park. We went to the Belvedere Car Park but it was full and we ended up stranded on the side of the road. While I was waiting for Paul a lady and her kids parked in front of me and came over to ask if I was the lady in Irelands Horse and Pony Mag (John Tynan a reporter did an article for the August issue). The girls were excited about seeing me and I was chuffed. Paul arrived and ended up paying some guy to park my box in his front garden and Rachel talked the car park attendants into taking my car.

Ruth and Kate Dwyer were on at 3 in ring 1 and then at 3.45 in the main arena. The girls did great and the horses were super. Paul and I ended up in the bar and then back to Pauls house and as it was Pauls birthday we had to celebrate. We went for dinner and then to Annabells and had a great night.

Saturday, Paul rode Youri for an hour then put him away and got him ready for his big day, I got up about 1.30pm and we were on at 1.50, I was pretty nervous but he went well in the warm up arena. We were called into ring 1 and there was loads of people and the loud speakers were on and Youri didn't know where to put himself. Rachel came in a managed to take a hold of Youri before he did anything silly. We walked around for a while and then he calmed down and we did some nice work and Niall commentated and he was great. I got down in the ring and parked my bum in the buggy and Paul took Youri, when the crowd clapped he went a bit mad. The rest of the girls ie Ruth Kate and Lara put on a great show and as we left I saw Mum and Kelly and Dad and they were delighted. Rachel and Breda and Adeline were there and we had a great afternoon. Mum and Dad and Kelly and I went for lunch. We got great compliments from people and I was on a high. I dropped Paul home and I went home to Arklow to get some badly needed Sleep.

Sunday I got back to Dublin about 11 and saw Nicola jumping in the main arena. I managed to get a little shopping in and then it was time to get ready. Paul rode Youri again for an hour and I got up about 2.30. I was more nervous than the day before and Youri wasn't much better. Paul led us in on a lead rope and Niall talked about Ruth first and then me we did our wee bit and I was more than happy to get off!! I met loads of people I knew and had great fun after. We finally got home about 7.30. A big thank you to Paul, Niall, Ruth, Sue, Jeff, Jan and Mags and Rachel for your help and support and pictures.