Eilish's Adventures

More Horsewhispering stuff!

2009-01-19T13:56:00.000-08:00

Hello, hope all is well in your world. All is good in mine, have had some interesting and exciting times with Jim and Youri. I went down to Jim on Wednesday and as it was yet again raining we decided to do some body work on Youri in the great indoors. This was in the form of the Linda Tellington-Jones TT touch. Among Jims many other talents (I've been paid handsomely to say this!!) Jim is also a practitioner in this method. In Lindas words "the intent of the TT touch is to activate the function of the cells and awaken cellular intelligence and by doing so offers a positive approach to training, improving performance and health of the horse. The TT touch helps to release tension and increase body awareness". It was great to see the different reactions from Youri, when Jim worked on his head Youri kept trying to bite Jim and then as Jim worked down Youris body, Youri would lower his head and lick and chew and he looked really chilled out. I am looking forward to being able to work on Youri and looking for changes.

I went back to Ballyteague on Saturday and we went for a hack, Jim and the 3 dogs, Max, Sally and Peggy and Youri and I. It was pretty windy and the longer we were out the worse it got, we have this block we can do, it is normally pretty quiet traffic wise and not far from home, we get to a stretch of road where we have ditches on the left and a canal on the right. Youri knew we were on the home stretch and upped his pace a little, I was a little ahead of Jim when we met more traffic and we stopped and Youri started to get a little uptight. We carried on and the next thing Peggy came running out from a farmyard with a duck in her mouth and was making for the canal, Jim let a roar and she dropped the duck and it went into the canal still in one piece. A jeep came up behind us and I turned Youri to face it and get him to the side of the road, he wasn't impressed and swung round and his hind legs went into the ditch, he slipped a bit but got his balance and we were back on hard ground. We got over that hurdle and the next thing, Sally decided to jump into the canal to chase the swans. I carried on and just as we reached the corner for home, there was a swan waddling away in the middle of the road with a car beeping at its bum, Youri jumped when he saw it but fair play to him he didn't panic, I got Youri out of the way and Jim caught up with me and got me off and left me holding Youri while he set off to fish Sally out of the canal (Sally is quite old has been fished out on previous occasions as she wasn't able to make it up the bank). Just as Jim headed back to get her, thankfully there was Sally trotting towards him. Jim gave me a leg up and believe it or not we all made it home alive, very wet but alive. Very well done to Jim for dealing with all of us in a calm and confident way. I was also very impressed with Youri who was a pretty cool dude.

Had to throw in another Paralympic Pic!!

2009-01-12T15:34:00.000-08:00

2009-01-12T13:46:00.000-08:00

Hello again I hope your all well. I am just writing because I guess I am excited about whats happening with Youri. Yesterday Youri and I went out for a hack with Jim and his three dogs and we had a good day. The wind was howling and believe it or not it was raining and here I was feeling pretty cool about being on my horse. I realised I had worked so hard and pushed Youri to the limits to get to the Paralympics, and while we did everything to ensure Youris physical fitness for the job I never dealt with (or took notice of) what was going on between his ears, if truth be told, I didn't know how. I used to spend hours sitting in my buggy in a field at Kevins place with Youri without knowing how to interact with him and I got pretty tired of nothing happening and it felt like he didn't know me at all and so I stopped spending time and just concentrated on working him. After the Paralypmics I wanted to sell him because I just kept getting frustrated and pissed off with him and I hated feeling that way. I don't believe he's a bad horse, he has plenty of character and is a cheeky little you know what at the best of times but sometimes, well actually a lot of times, it felt like he was a lost soul and just didn't know how to be. Youri has been with Jim probably two months now and Jim has opened up a new world (a world I only dreamt of) for us. Jim is teaching me (slowly cause I am a slow learner!!!) and Youri how to communicate, how to manage on the ground, how to know when Youri is happy and relaxed and soft and how take control of his feet rather than the other way round! I think it will take time but I also believe I owe my little man for giving me the best experience of my life in Hong Kong and for teaching me how to ride. The pictures below show Jim working with Youri and getting me involved in the learning process.

2009-01-12T08:06:00.000-08:00

2009-01-12T07:50:00.000-08:00

Life after the Paralympics

2009-01-09T09:51:00.000-08:00

Hi Guys, its been a while, well its been that long that I forgot my username and password to get on to my blog!! The week after I got home from Beijing I headed off to the National Championships to do the para class, didn't do very well. Youri was great in the warm up and not so great when we went into the arena. I had great fun anyway and partied the weekend away. Ruth and Sue took Youri up for me and I towed my brothers caravan to stay in which was grand. On the way home my sat nav brought me through every little back road and I ended up with a puncture in the middle of nowhere, I was going to ring home but I had no idea where I was. There was what looked like a pretty new van in a ditch where I pulled up and a few minutes later a car stopped with 3 men who had come to rescue the van (it had been stolen while they were in the pub!). They very kindly changed my tyre and gave me directions to get off the mountain. They said I was very lucky as the road I was on was rarely used. Thanks boys.

Well I made it in one piece and got back to Arklow and started the big move home. I put Youri out to grass at Helens and moved back to my little pad in Armagh. Youri went out and joined 3 mares and it took him all of 24 hours to turn them into his bitches, he could be seen every day herding them round the field. Youri had about 6 weeks off and then I started to bring him in at night as he had pretty bad mud rash on all four legs. It all turned into a nightmare as Youri reared and bucked when I went to bring him in and in the stable he was climbing the walls and I was afraid to go into him. I did bring in Helens mare Misty to keep him company but that didn't help.

Finally desperate and not knowing how to manage I rang a gentleman called Jim Fogarty, I met Jim at Nialls and at the Nationals. Jim is a Horsewhisperer/Gentleing specialist who said that I could call him if I needed help. A week after I spoke to Jim, he very kindly called up and took my little man away. Youri is still with Jim and is much happier than I have seen him in a while!! Jim worked with him on the ground and did join up and other exercises including desensitising as Youri can be quite sharp at times. Last weekend we went for our first hack on the road and he was a super boy and it was great to ride and not be under pressure to perform. The plan is to get Youri going willingly forward and in a good way. A huge thanks to Jim and if you ever need help with a horse Jims the man. You can find lots more info at http://www.horsewhisperingireland.com/.

2009-01-09T09:39:00.000-08:00

Paralympics Beijing 18th Sept 08

2008-09-18T02:54:00.000-07:00

Well its my last day People and we make the long trip home tomorrow. Its Thursday 18th and tomorrow would have been Kieran's 50th birthday and Happy Birthday Jan from Jumpingaround.com. I have had a grand week, the paralymic village is that big it took me a few days to get my bearings. I made to the food hall, I found the shops (with no trouble whatsoever!!) and I even managed to get to the pub for a night out on Tuesday. I made it home at 6am Wednesday morning with Fintan and Cathal, (the taxi driver took us on a tour of China before getting us back to the village). I didn't quite make it to bed but had a shower at 9.30 and at 11 I met up with Mic and Brendan and we headed off to the silk market for the day and we had a grate laugh and I spent all my money (once more!). We got back about 4 and got ready for the closing ceremony. Well what an evening I have never experienced anything like it. It was out of this world. We got back about 11. I had dinner and went looking for Singapore to say goodbye which I duly did and finally got to bed about 2am.

Today, I just packed and did some last bits of shopping and became the transport manager (as the village is so big some are struggling to get around in wheelchairs so I am pulling them with my buggy). Thank god for the buggy I would have been very isolated without it as its such a distance to get anywhere.

Well this is the end of my LITTLE adventure, words cannot describe my emotions, the highs and lows, the laughter the tears, its all been class.

Thanks a million to all of you for your messages and phone calls and emails. Your support is what made my dream come true and I will be forever grateful for that. I have had an unforgetable, brilliant, class, superb (had to throw that word in for Paul and Niall), (and any other good word you can think of) time.

THANK YOU

ALL OUR LOVE

EILISH AND YOURI

Paralympics Beijijng Monday 15th Sept

2008-09-14T23:32:00.000-07:00

Hello Everybody, sorry for the delay in writing, time ran away with me in Hong Kong. I was a bit upset after writing my last blog but I took it easy the day after ie Tuesday the 9th, I rode Youri around 7pm the night before my freestyle and he was pretty tough work and he spooked and bolted on my a few times and started bucking every time I tried to get him up in front of me but he ended up going well. Niall headed back to the hotel and Paul and I stayed at the stables and had a bit of craic with Finland and South Africa and England. Mum and Dad and Kelly and the gang went to Ocean World for the day. We also found out after a meeting that morning that I would be competing at 10am the next day and originally we were supposed to be on at night. I had bought 8 tickets for the night time and so at 9pm Aron rang and we had to run around looking for tickets for the morning competition. Treamy our helper said she would pick up the tickets and get them to Mum and Dad in time. I also bought tickets for them to go into the Federation tent where I could meet up with them and they could get out of the sun.

Wednesday - 10th September - We got to the stables at 8am, Niall warmed him up and I got on at half nine. It was that hot that we decided to warm up in the indoor and spend as little time as possible in the heat. Just before I went into the arena Paul poured a bottle of cold water down my back. Youri started to back off on me and I had to smack him to get him to walk. He was up tight but the music fitted him well and I rode my heart out and he didn't give me an inch and we ended up with 65% and placed 8th out of a class of 18. So all in all a good day, I met up with Mum and Dad and Shannon and Zoe and Aron and Leon and Grainne and had a cry (I thing it was relief that the pressure was off!). We had a few hours together and they headed off. Paul and I spent the afternoon having a few beers and chatting. Paul fed Youri and we had a water fight and then went to see the grade 4's competing and the prise giving. A big congrats to Phillipa from South Africa who won gold, you were both amazing. We met up with Nick (the lady who ran the Federation tent) and Grainne Willis(an amazing Irish lady who climbed mount everest and who is currently working for the Hong Kong Jockey Club) we have been having great laughts with them). I finally got back to the hotel about 2.

Thursday - 11th Sept - I went and did a bit of shopping in the morning and at 2 I picked up Paul and Niall and Nick from the stables and we went to Beas River Country Club. The gang from South Africa and Ireland (including my family) were invited and we had a lovely lunch and a grand tour, and saw where the eventers competed at the Olympics. A huge thanks to Nick for being so kind and great company. We got back to the stables and sorted Youri out and Paul had just started packing for the journey home. Treamy rang to say I had to go to the 5th floor and get my prize and I didn't understand what she meant so I went along and I was presented with a certificate and a rosette and a plack for Youris stable (apparently prizes went to 9th place) so that was a cool surprise. Treamy and I went to Mum and Dads hotel with some of my luggage which they said they would bring home and we brought over my prieses to show off!! It was the last night of competition and so I headed back to the stables and I was just in time to see the medal ceremonies and I couldnt stop crying and every time I looked at Nick she was crying too!! Afterwards we all headed to the media hotel and danced the night away and we had a great time. I lost Paul and Niall somewhere along the way and finally made it back to the hotel around 7am. My lovely pal Orti from Finland and some Chinese friends walked back to the hotel with me and my little scooter and we had some fun.

Friday - 12th Sept - We were supposed to go to a farewell lunch which Niall and Paul and I all missed!! Paul met up with us at the hotel and we went shopping for the afternoon. We went for a pizza and met up with Treamy and headed for the Peak. We had a great evening and the view of Hong Kong from the Peak was out of this world.

Saturday 13th - All Youris luggage was collected at 10.30. Niall and I met up with Treamy and Lewis and went to the stables to collect Paul and Lewis took us off to a little fishing village and we had a walk around and then went for lunch. The chef came out to take pictures when they heard we were here for the Paralypmics!! We got back to the stables around 3.30 and let Youri out for a final run around and at 5.30 the trailers started to arrive to take them to the airport. We all waited to see him off. Once Harvey got on the trailer Youri was mad to get on with him and loaded fine. It was near 7 before Niall and I got back to the hotel and we and for dinner with Lianne from Holland, and Omer and Dror from Isreal. Niall and I got back to the hotel at 8.30 had a quick shower and back out to a party at Grainnes house. We stayed for a few hours chatted to some good people.

Sunday 14th - I was dragged out of bed at 5.30 am to get to the airport to catch a flight to Beijing most of the athletes were heading in the same direction. We flew with Chinese Air and all the athletes got to go first class which was exciting. We got to the village about 3 and I got my room and had a chat with some of the guys and then had a shower and Kathleen and Alan got me and my scooter to the workshop to get fixed again!! We then watched our swimmer Darren from Gorey win a sliver medal at the tender age of 14!! WELL DONE DARREN. I went for some dinner and then met up with my pals from Singapore and spent the evening with them.

The Paralympic village is huge and swarming with bodies from all nations, I am sharing a room with Liz the swimming coach, its just all so different from Hong Kong and I miss home and I am a bit lost now!! Paul went home with Youri, Niall went home to work. Today I had a lie in and made my way to the laundry and got to the post office and went for luch with liz and here I am at the computer finally catching up. We have a night out at the Irish Embassy tonight and tomorrow I hope to get some shopping done and we are all going to the birds next to watch John compete. So thanks again to all for your great messages, cant wait to get home now and see you all. Get Well soon Denise.

Paralympics Hong Kong 2008 Day 9 and 10

2008-09-07T23:49:00.000-07:00

Hi All, yesterday was a quiet one, I went swimming in the morning and slept in the afternoon and Niall and I headed for the stables at 5.30. We rode and then watched some of the grade 1B's and then we went for some food. We Then went to watch the grade 4's.

This morning ie day 10 I was on at 9.13. We were at the stables by 7 and Dad and Mum and the gang were already seated and having a great time. Niall rode first and then I warmed up and Youri was really good. When we went into the arena he got really tense on me. We ended up with 62% and placed 11 out of 18 and I was very disappointed. Niall said I rode really well and I did try my best but Youri was on and off the contact the whole time and it felt awful. When leaving the arena I saw Mum and Dad and all in the crowd and I waved and blew them and kiss and got great cheers. After I got off, I was interviewed and then cooled off and went to meet my clan. They were great with me.

I was so upset and so not a good day today, will have to scrape my heart off the floor and get ready to go again on Wednesday night, we have no times yet. Thanks to Tiff and all who sent wonderful messages luv Eilish x

Paralympics Hong Kong - Day 9

2008-09-06T21:31:00.000-07:00

Hello, thanks Charlie for your messages, I will let Dad know, thanks Ka for your message and good luck with your competition. For anyone calling I am unable to access my mailbox and no numbers are coming up so sorry for not returning any calls. Thanks to Paddy, Gemma, Zara, Jack and Drew for all your messages. Well I was up at 8.30 and about 10 I headed over to Langham Place Hotel in Monkok to see Mum, Dad and all the gang, they are in good form. I met Mum and then went to the pool to meet the other and then Kelly and Leon and I headed down to the lobby and met Dad and we went for coffee and then to the big shopping mal where we met up with the rest of the gang. I headed back to the village at 2.30 and had a kip and then got ready for the opening ceremony. We were all gathered in the lobby and I had left my buggy outside and when I went to get it it was gone. I looked in the lobby and found it but it wouldn't go. I was getting a bit upset cause I knew I wouldn't be able to stand for the evening but the wheelchair I was using before was still at the hotel and so I was thankfully able to use that. We got to the racecourse at 6 and our parade was in alphabetical order chinese style and that left us 2nd last in. It was a great evening and Hong Kong should be proud of the show they put on, and we got to watch the opening ceremony from Beijing, and we saw Ireland. We also supported Isreal and Singapore. We got back to the hotel about 11 and had a snack and chatted to Omer from Isreal and Keith from the USA.

Paralympics Hong Kong 2008 Day 8

2008-09-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

Well Lads and Laddettes(if there is such a thing)!! I had the best day ever. I got the bubble to the stables at 9am and was in time for the trot up, Youri passed with flying colours and he looked the bis and he behaved impecably. The Danish man grade 4 had to represent and the Chinese grade 2 and the the British grade 1 had also to represent but they all passed in the end and there was big cheers for all. In flying over the horses that suffered most were the Canadian ones and they ended up in trouble but we are all hoping that they will make it. I went back to the hotel and met up with Lewis our minder and he took Omer from Isreal and I to get my new jacket, Omer wanted to be measured but they said that they could only do ladies jackets. We went back to the hotel and I had a sleep and woke up to the sound of a message and it was from Niall saying I was on at 5pm for my warm up test, I kinda looked again an realised as the competition started at 5 it meant I was on 1st (Oh shit). Well I thought at least I would be able to say I was first in something!!!!! Can you imagine I am the 1st Paralympian to trot up the center line in competition! Youri was a star we had a few glitches but he was my man, he was out in front of me he was forward, I sat back probably for the 1st time ever and said this is it take your time and enjoy and thats what I did to the best of my ability. We ended up with 64.95% and came 2nd, Felicity from GB came 1st on 67%. We watched our counterparts Singapore compete in grade 1A just after 6pm and at the end of her test, Lauren was placed in 1st place with over 70.1%, we didnt see the end so we don't know what the final score was. Niall and I came back to the village, had a shower and went to the Langham Place Hotel to meet all my family who had just arrived, Treeney our helper met them at the airport and sorted them out, it was great to see them and my Dad whom I thought would be brought off the plane in a body bag as it was only his second time flying and he is now in his 70's, but he looked great. I have Mum(Nora), Dad (Peadar), Kelly, Aron, Leon, Shanon, Zoe, Grainne here and they are the business. Mum bought loads of flags and pins we can dish out and they are in great form. Niall and I had dinner with them and got back to the hotel about 12. My final comments are Youri is my Hero, Niall and Paul made it all possible and thanks to my gang for believing in both of us. Talk to you tomorrow, Luv Eils

Same day 8

2008-09-04T10:42:00.000-07:00

Just to let you know our trot up is at 9.40am and we are competing sometime after 5pm tomorrow night. 8 of my family arrive tomorrow night which is very exciting. Thanks to John Tynan and Cathie Clifford for your text messages. Hello to Nan and Gill and Denise, thinking of you.

Paralympics Hong Kong 2008 Day 8

2008-09-04T10:10:00.000-07:00

Hello, well the day was another good one. I didn't sleep last night so thankfully there was nothing to essential to do this morning so I had a lie in, I listened to my tapes and fell asleep and had a pretty relaxing morning. I got to the stables just after 2pm and met up with Nancy, who gave me and Paul and Niall a card signed by the rest of the team from Beijing, it made my day thanks a million everyone it was very much appreciated. I hear the block your in, in Beijing has very little external decor in terms of flags and bunting!!!!!!!!!! Dont worry I rang home and Mum and Dad will bring a flag or two!!!! Hope I get to see the boys and their tongs too!!!! Anyway back to reality, we went and did a sound check at 3.55pm, we had to put the sound up quite a bit but it sounded good in the end we hope!! Youri then had physio and we got ready to ride. Youri was a bit dead today but still good at the end of the training session we got 5 mins in the field of play and I managed to ride my team test. I wore my Irish jacket to see if I could cope with the heat and its ok till you get to the end of your test and then the heat hits you and its awful. I got to the misting tent and stuck my hands in ice cold water to cool down. Youri is just getting used to being sprayed with ice cold water and I thing he quiet likes it now. Youri got a wash and then around 8 we all had to gather in the grass arena with horse in hand and lead them round the field of play with the torch lit so it was exciting to see all the horses together and they were all great. Youri got another compliment today, we were told he was the best looking horse here, unfortunately they didn't say the same about his mother!!!!

Paralympics Hong Kong day 6 and 7

2008-09-03T22:10:00.000-07:00

Hello All, sorry for the delay in writing but had a few technical problems loging on.

Day 6 - was a good one, I was up for my ride at 8am and we went for a walk around the main arena or what they call the field of play, we got a day pass for Paul and and he came back to the hotel with us and we had a quick trip to the plaza across the road and then back to the hotel for lunch. The food isn't the best at the stables and so Paul made the most of his lunch. We then all piled into my room to get changed and get dressed up to meet the major of the village. We wore our ceramonial outfits and at 15.45 we met the lovely mayor and drank jasmin tea and had a chat and we got presents and had our pictures taken. We headed back to the stables as we were on at 6pm. We were in the indoor tonight and Niall rode and I rode, Youri was in great form. We share our training times with Omer and Dror from Isreal and their groom Lianne and we have great fun with them. We stayed on till about 10 with Paul and had good fun with the South Africans and the stewards. Of the team of stewards we have Gill (who broke Liza's horse Fantastic Elastic), Louise and Paul and Philip. They have been so good and so keen to help out and look after us they are great people. Niall and I headed back to the hotel and had some dinner and Isreal came to join us. Isreal have nobody coming to support them so we have offered to fly their flag for them.

Day 7, We headed for the stables at 8 and I got to go for a hack on the gallops which was fun. Niall and Paul and I got back to the hotel just before 11 and they went shopping across the road and I went off with the South Africans to Stanley market we had about an hour or so there and we got back about 3 and I went to the shopping centre and then Niall and I headed for the stables at 5.30. We rode in the outdoor arena tonight and Youri was good again. The Swiss trainer stopped me to compliment me on my riding and how much we have improved which was cool. We had to make our way back to the hotel and we met up with Nancy who is Technical Director of the Paralymic Council of Ireland. I looked around the lobby of the hotel and there was my scooter waiting for me which was great. We all had showers and headed for dinner and met up with Isreal and GB and Sinapore.

Paralympics Hong Kong 2008 day 5

2008-09-01T08:57:00.000-07:00

Hi, Greetings to Jan, Ka, Verner, Ali and all your gang, great to hear from you, also greetings to Gerry, Mark, Aaron, Anne Marie and Darren and may we all be in London in 2012.YEAAAAAAAAA Hello to Anna and Richard and the Kids and thanks for a great night out in Rathdrum.

Well we had another long day. I was up at 6.30am had a shower and off to the stables at 7.30 on my man by 8.15 and walked around the competition arena for 40 mins he is very chilled out and I am not sure if it is the heat or what!! Afte we rode we met up with Luis our care assistant and we finally got back to the hotel about 11.30, we or Niall had lots of forms to sort out and he had to get a day pass to the hotel for Paul and then his insulin went wrong and he had to eat. We finally headed for the shoping mall to buy tickets for my family to get into the Paralympics. I also had an order for tickets for Gabrella from Sweden. We ended up on a big buying spree and I am afraid to tell you how much I spent today. I did buy a 13.6mp dig camera so you will be able to see as much as possible when I can work out how to use the bloody thing!! Peadar if you are reading this please get mum and dad to take as many pins over as possible please as Niall and Paul and I have run out already. We got back to the hotel about 2pm and we went for a sleep till 5.50 and me supposed to get the bus back to the stables at 6!! I made it but didnt look the part. Susanne the physio was working on Youri and when we got to the stables and she said he was in pretty good shape. Tonight we got to train in the competition arena and Niall rode for 15 mins and I rode for 20 mins and Youri was a dream come true. Afterwards I was walking round the main arena on a long rein drinking my bottle of water (Adeline I hope ur reading this)!! and he spooked on me and I near fell off I dropped the bottle of water all over his neck but he didn't take off thankfully. Susanne came to watch us and she was really pleased with Youri. Afterwards we went for dinner with Paul and Caroline. Niall and I got back to the hotel about 10.30 and we had our dinner with the Brits ie Lee and Dan and Ricky and the South Africans ie Katherin and Pippa and their physio. Had a great day, wish this could happen me every day. Love to all Eilish and hello to Susan my top class physio at home

Paralympics Hong Kong 2008 day 4

2008-08-31T09:12:00.000-07:00

Hello, Greetings to Peadar, Anne and Emmet today, and thanks to Marion for her text message. Today I was up at 6.30, left for the stables for 7.30 and was riding by 8.15, we just walked, the heat in the morning is pretty severe and you can tell Youri feels it as well. Youri is getting more up beat which I dont know is a good thing or not. This morning we got in the main competition arena and I introduced him to the pandas hiding in the bushes but he didnt seam to mind. The crowd are alot closer to you than what you see on tv so I hope he will be ok. I was really tired today and after riding and having breakfast I got a bit emotional and headed to the bed at 11.30 and slept till 4.30 and had enough time to go to a tailor to see if I can get a jacket to fit me and headed back to the stables at 6.30 to ride at 7.15. We then had some craic with Team South Africa and went for dinner in the grooms dining quaters and its an experience not to be repeated!! We did some more socialising and got back to the village at 12. Thanks to all who have supported me. Greetings to Liam, Dee, Kate, Zara, Jan, Mags, Gemma, Wayne, Helen, Mary Anne, James, Margaret, Charlie, Setanta Choir, Dun Lughaidh Sec School, Geraldine and all her gang, Ray and Nula and Thresa and Lee and all the folk who have support me for so long. THANKS A MILL please let me know if I have missed anybody.

Paralympics Hong Kong 2008 day 3

2008-08-30T08:46:00.000-07:00

Hi another good day was had. I was up at 6.30am left the village at 7.30 and was on my horse for 8.15. We did a short workout in the airconditioned arena which was grand considering the blistering heat outside!! The physio came and worked on Youri and then the vet came and checked out that Youri was Youri. We ie Niall and I then met up with two of our care assistants Triney and Martin and they came to the hotel with us along with Paul and we went to the local shopping centre and had some lunch and did some badly needed retail therapy!!! We had a kip back at the hotel and then I went to the gym and did my walk and had a swim and at 5.30 we got the bubble (its what the call the bus ere) back to the stables and I rode at 7.15 out doors for about 40 mins. We then sat with Paul and had a drink and headed back to the village about 9 and had some dinner and Team Isreal joined us and we had a great laugh with Dror and Omer.

Greetings to Rob thanks for text messages, Sandra, Jeff, Holly, and Denis hope you had a great holiday. Also greetings to Siobhan and Lianna and Chris in New Zealand and all the Fitzsimons. Thanks for all your good wishes love Eilish

Paul said Youri is getting lots of attention from other nations, they think hes a super looking boy.

Paralympics Hong Kong 2008 day 2

2008-08-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hi, well had a good day today, was up at 9.30ish, went to the gym and then had a swim, went for some lunch and then had an afternoon nap. I was called about 3 to meet Benjamin who brought me a wheelchair and took my scooter off to see if it could be fixed. I met up with Niall who was at meetings most of the day and at 5.30 we headed off to the stables. Paul had him all tacked up and ready to go, Niall rode for a little bit and then I rode for about 10 mins. Youri is tired and feels like he needs an energy injection. He had a walkabout in the main arena (where they have Pandas hiding in bushes and the main screed is on) and Paul said he was fine and he had a walk into the cooling station and not a bother on him (actually we are just getting him checked to see if he still has a pulse!!) We had some fun trying on the gear from Horse Sport Ireland and we are fighting over who gets the jacket. We got back to the village about 9ish and had dinner with Lee and Dan (Team GBR). Its an early night tonight as I am on at 8 in the morn. Greetings to all in Dundalk and Arklow and Johnstown and Aughrim and Donegal, and to Helen and Jim and Dean and Kyle in Italy.

Paralympics - Hong Kong 2008

2008-08-28T08:41:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Hong Kong can you believe it I am here!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I met up with Naill and family and friends at Dublin airport on the 27th at 7am. We (Niall and I) flew to Amsterdam and got a conecting flight to Hong Kong 3 hours later. Team Sweden, Denmark and Croatia were on the same flight as well as 11 Paralympic horses. We landed at in Hong Kong at 8am this morning, we were all greeted and brought to the Paralympic Village. It took the morning to sort out rooms and transport and assistance and just after 1pm local time we got to our rooms. I crashed for a few hours and then went to see Youri at the stables and I saw the main competition arena. The set up is fantastic the people are wonderful. My scooter wouldn't work when it got off the plane and the organisers are doing their best to get it sorted for me.

A big thanks to all for the kind messages, phonecalls, and text messages. I hope you will be proud of me xx

Hope to write everyday.

2008-07-08T12:11:00.000-07:00

Hi all, once again long time no hear, I hope the world is well with you. My news, well time is motoring on and we are in full swing training and competing. I was at Marlton on the 28th of June and I did a medium test and got 62% which leaves me part qualified for the National Championships. I also did a para test and got 65%. I am due in Boswell on the 12th July to do another medium and a para test.

Paralympic news - well last Wednesday 2nd of July we had the official announcement of the Irish Paralympic Team at the Conrad Hotel. Youri and Paul and I are going into quarantine in England on the 18th of August and Youri and Paul fly out on the 26 of August. Niall and I fly out on the 28th. My first day of competition is the 7th of September and we will be on between 7 and 11am on the 1st two days and between 7 and 11pm on the last day.

Youri is going well. I am still off the smokes surprise surprise!

2008-06-06T13:14:00.001-07:00

Hi all just posted a big long blog and then added my picture and it deleted all my writing so here we go again. Its Friday 6th of June and the picture is of us competing at Marlton last weekend, thanks to Conrad for the photo. I did two mediums and two para tests. I got 60% in my mediums and a 66 and 70% in my para tests. I have qualified for the National Championships so I am happy enough.

A huge thank you to Mary Kane and Greenhills Riding Club who presented me with 2000 euro on Thursday 29th of May.

I would also like to thank my supporters Dee and Liam Lynam who have put together a sponsorship package for me - thanks a million for all your hard work.

Thanks a million to Siobhan and Lianna in New Zealand who managed to raise funds for me in New Zealand!! Very much appreciated.

A big hello to Sandra in Ireland and Sandra in England and Rob in England who I gather have been checking my blog.

My other big news is that I went to a hypnotherapist to stop smoking and I haven't had a cig since Thursday 29th of May. A few days later I got a really bad headache which wouldn't go away and I went back to James yesterday and he sorted that out for me and I feel pretty relaxed today.

Training is going well. Am in a panic about getting my music done but Niall and Paul have been working with me on this.

I was in Belgium in April for a 3 star event and on Friday 18th Apr we had our team test and I got 64% and came 5th. Saturday was the individual championship and I got 66% and came 2nd and on Sunday we had our freestyle and I came 3rd with 68.8% so a good week was had.

I cant think of anything else just now. Thanks to all who are working hard to support me. XXX

2008-06-06T12:06:00.000-07:00

2008-04-10T14:06:00.000-07:00

Hello Again, well two things really. I wanted to say thanks very much to Michelle who looked after Youri and I in Limerick, Michelle was a great help and looked after Youri and Victoria and I exceptionally well. I have new email addresses ie eilish.byrne@hotmail.com and eilishbyrne@aol.co.uk

2008-04-09T10:37:00.000-07:00

Hi, I don't really know how to start with all my good news. Well the best news ever is that Youri and I have a place at the Paralympics in Hong Kong in September this year. I am still in a daze. Its very exciting but I am pretty nervous about it all. A BIG THANKS to all who called and text me to say congrats, very much appreciated. Without all your support I would never have made it.

I went to Limerick last Thursday for a Paralympic training weekend. I drove down on Thursday with Youri and Victoria. Friday I had a lesson with our national trainer Doni McNamara. My car was playing up so I dropped it off a a garage and went to various meetings. Saturday I had a lesson again with Doni and went to pick up my car. In the afternoon RTE came to see me ride and do an interview which was nerve racking. Sunday I drove back home.

On the 22nd of March I competed at Boswell. I did my 2 para tests. I had a great day. Since Youri went over the breast bar in my trailer a year ago I havent travelled him on his own for fear of him doing it again. My car wont pull 2 horses and so I have had to ask for help big time. Anyway I didn't have any body this weekend so I borrowed my friends toy horse (Victoria) and we put her in the trailer to see what Youri would do. Well he walked straight in started nusseling her and chewing her ear (sorry Jan and Mags). The day was a great success we had a great laugh at the show. Youri was really forward and relaxed and we got a 69 and a 70% and he practically walked over me to get back in the box to his new woman. He even called out to her a few times. So my travel worries are over and Youri travelled for 6 hours to Limerick and not a bother on him. I will try and attach some photos. So there you have all my news for now. I will hopefully write soon again. We are off to Belgium for a 3 star competition on Sunday so there is lots of work to be done!!!

2008-03-21T03:20:00.000-07:00

Hi All, I hope the world is well with you. Now where do I start, well lets begin in February. Para Equestrian Ireland took us to England on the 14th for a weekend of training and competition. We flew to Leeds Bradford on Thursday night. Friday we travelled to Richmond Equestrian Centre where we rode a test in front of Judge Margo Tiffany and then Margo worked through the test and pointed out where we could do better. Saturday we were back at Richmond where we rode an elementary test and scored 62.8% and came third. We then rode the para team test and scored 66% and came 1st (have to boast here as we managed to beat the Lady who won a bronze medal at the World Championships which made my day!!!). Sunday we travelled to Vale View Equestrian Centre where we once more did an elementary test and won on 63.2% and managed to get 74% and got another 1st in the para team test. A very successful weekend was had by all and a big thank you to all involved.
March - we carried on training, I was invited to do a powerpoint presentation and a demonstration at the 4th International Equitation Science Conference at the RDS in Dublin on the 2nd of August. On the 15th Nationwide (an RTE Programme) came to film us and interview various members of Para Equestrian Ireland, we had a great day, with lots of laughs and again thanks to all involved in making the day a success. I am training away and plan to compete at Boswell tomorrow the 22nd. Youri is going well and in good form. We did a bit of jumping with him and took him round the fields for a good run. He is carrying a bit of weight and we are now working hard to get rid of the belly! My other exciting news is that I had a lesson with Anna Mervelt on the 16th of March which I enjoyed immensely.

2008-03-05T15:38:00.000-08:00

Hello I guess its long time no hear yet again and my apologies have lots to say now and results from a successful trip to England and dates I gotta produce. I am working on all of this and we will be up and running asap. So sorry for the delay.

Some news at last!!!!

2007-12-19T14:02:00.000-08:00

Hi all, first I must apologise for not writing for so long. Life is passing me by big time and I don't know where my days go anymore (must be to do with my old age).

All is well, I am just back riding after spending the last month trying to organise a "Fun Night at the Dogs" in order to raise some badly needed funds. It was held at Dundalk Stadium on the 15th of December and we ended up having a great night. It was hard work to organise but thanks to my very loyal and long time friend Helen and my family we ended up having a great night and we made enough to keep me going in training for another while.

Any other news, well we went to the Eastern Region Dressage ball, I think that was on in October and I was very kindly presented with an award for outstanding achievement in 2007. Many thanks to Jo and Dee for sponsoring the award and to Gillian Kyle.

On November 13th we ie Youri and I did a dressage demo for the RDA (riding for the disabled)s national conference in Templepatrick just north of Belfast. Jan from Jumpingaround.com very kindly drove me and Youri and Piglet (Youris travelling companion) and Wayne (my helper for the day). We went up the day before and the horses stayed with a lovely family just outside Crumlin. We stayed at a hotel in Belfast and made our way to the Laurel View Stud the next morningl. Alison Maston commentated for us and I think we all enjoyed it. Youri was a bit hyper but we managed. Thanks to all involved for looking after us so well.

2007-09-24T12:15:00.000-07:00

Hello People, I hope you are all well. I have just had the best weekend ever. I was competing at Dressage Irelands National Championships which took place at Necarne Castle in Irvinstown, Co Fermanagh. We all headed of in convoy on Thursday 20th Sept at 9am. Niall my trainer took his horse Frodo and Youri. Rachel took her horse Teraldo, Kevin took Nicolas horse PD, Jan took her horses Monty and Billy and I took all the gear in my box.

We got to Necarne about 2.30 and we all got sorted with stables. The stable manager turned out to be Paddy. Paddy came to Belgium with Para Equestrian Ireland as a groom two years ago and I hadn't seen him since so that was a lovely surprise. Youri was stabled but would not settle and so Paddy very kindly found me another home for my horse and we settled ourselves in. I tacked up Youri and Niall rode him and then I did. We settled him for the night and went and had dinner about 9 and a party afterwards which was great fun.

Friday 21st - I was on at 2.07. I got Youri tacked up and ready for Niall. He went really well for Niall and I. We ended up 7th with 62%. I was competing against 38 able bodied riders at elementary level so I was happy enough. Youri was still very unsettled in his stable and good old Paddy came to the rescue and moved us once more, to be near the other horses that Youri knew and he settled down at last. I then went to offer my services at the office and ended up calling competitors from the warm up ring to the competition ring for two hours.

Saturday 22nd - I was on at 12.55. Niall warmed Youri up for me again. Youri was great we rode a good test. We got 65% and ended up in 5th place. I helped out for an hour in the office and then we all had showers and went for dinner and prise giving. I got a rosette for my 5th place and I ended up 5th overall in the Championships and got another rosette and 60 euro. I was thrilled to bits and we partied in to the early hours!

Sunday we watched the grand prix and then packed up for home and loaded the horses. I slept for a while in the afternoon and Jan and Gemma and I left about 5.30 and got back to the yard at 10. A great weekend was had by all.

2007-09-14T16:14:00.000-07:00

Hi all, please note I have just discovered how to upload pictures on to my blog and have got carried away with it all. Hope to have many more to show you along with the people and the animals in my life.

2007-09-14T14:56:00.000-07:00

This is Youri and I doing a dressage demonstration at the Horse Show in Dublin in Aug 2007.

2007-09-14T14:54:00.000-07:00

This is us at the World Para Dressage Championships in July 2007. Pictures kindly supplied by www.jumpingaround.com

2007-09-10T02:38:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone

I am back home in good old Ireland a week now. Life has been hectic since then. I stayed with Helen on Sunday night, Helens husband Jim and their kids Kyle and Dean picked me up from the airport. Monday I drove to Armagh to check my post and got back to Helens Monday evening. Tuesday I made my way back to Arklow and I had lessons Wednesday and Thursday. Niall my trainer had been riding Youri and he was in good form and I got out for a hack each day. Paul entered me for the elementary at the Marlton Summer Festival which took place Saturday and Sunday. I got 68% in my first test and won and 59.66% in my second test. Sunday I rode one test and got 62% and came third. I was delighted with my win as it was an able bodied competition and only the second time I rode an elementary test on Youri. Youri was such a good boy! I managed to get into the National Championships which take place in two weeks time so its all go and lots of work to be done. On Saturday I did a radio interview with a gentleman called Jim from Wexford local radio. I will keep you posted.

2007-08-29T20:01:00.000-07:00

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!!!!!!!!

2007-08-26T04:14:00.000-07:00

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................

2007-08-24T03:58:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-16T13:07:00.001-07:00

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.

2007-08-16T12:30:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-07-25T04:04:00.000-07:00

Hello, well its now July 25th and we got home from the World Championships on Monday night. It was a huge learning curve and to be honest I am feeling a little deflated and disappointed with our overall performance. This is how our week went. We ie Paul Kilbride and Niall Quirk and I left Ireland on Monday 16th and made it to Hartpury around 4.30pm, the horses arrived about a half an hour later and we settled them in and went and had dinner. The rest of the team flew to Bristol and arrived in Hartpury earlier the same day.

Tuesday we got to ride in the new Hartpury Arena and practiced our music. I was so engrossed with riding my horse I went up the centre line at the end the wrong way and didn't even realise what I had done, we had a good laugh over that, but thank god it happened on a practice day!!!!

Wednesday, we had to be on our horses by 8am and trained in indoor 1, a horse got loose and got into the arena where we were working and Youri started playing up and spinning around the place, I broke one of my straps and was lucky to stay on. Later on that evening Paul noticed Youris leg swollen and he was lame, he had a lump at the back of his right leg and all Paul could do was cold hose it and bandage it. We had the opening ceremony and it was great fun and we met lots of lovely people and our sponsors and I got to carry the Irish flag which I was very proud of.

Thursday, we were back in the Hartpury indoor at 7am. Youri was fine and sound thankfully. Thursday afternoon we had the trot up and we were all very nervous but they all passed with no problems.

Friday, our warm up team test was on, I was on at 11.42 and ended up with a score of 67.524 and was placed ninth and got into the prize ceremony which was great fun. I was thrilled there was 32 competitors in my grade ie grade 2 and it was a great feeling.

Saturday, our individual test was on the the old indoor and we had a good warm up and then we went into the competition arena and Youri lost his life with all the people and the judges at the side of the arena and kept spooking and wouldn't go up to the top of the arena. Paul was allowed into the arena to walk us up to the top and then we went for it. We trotted up the centre line and halted and he reined back and wouldn't go up the centre line. I had to turn before C and ended up loosing out on my first 4 movements. We got better and better and the last two minutes of my test was really good. I ended up with 61.818 and in 20th place. I had a good cry afterwards, but lots of people stopped me and complimented me on how well I rode through it all.

Sunday was my freestyle and Youri felt really dead on me. I couldn't get his back and and just kept pushing him on and it was awful. I ended up with 62.774 and am not sure if I ended up in 12th or 13th place. And that was it, it was all over and Paul and I headed straight for the bar. We attended the closing ceremony and prize giving and Princess Hyia was there to present. Jill arrived with the lorry about 9pm and we we loaded the horse box. We then all retired to the bar and had good fun till about 4am!!

Monday we were up at 7am and loaded the horses and headed for home.

2007-07-15T14:52:00.000-07:00

Hello, its now Sunday 15th, the horse box is loaded and we are all set. We ie Niall and Paul and I are loading the horses at 5.30am and then heading to Roslare for a nine o clock ferry to Fishguard. From there we will make our way to Hartpury College for the 1st ever FEI World Para Dressage Championships. I am a nervous wreck and hoping things will settle down once I get there and we get our bearings. I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported me financially and emotionally and I hope I can make you all proud of me. Thanks again. Lots of Love Eilish

2007-07-03T10:48:00.000-07:00

Hi all you lovely people, well time is moving on and we are working as hard as poss. Two great things happened, last night my trainer called to say I had been asked by Dressage Ireland to do a demo at the RDS in Dublin, in August ie do a demo at the Dublin Horse Show. Of course I had to think about it for all of two seconds. It will be a great opportunity to show off!! and to raise awareness of Para Equestrian.

Today, my god you will not believe what happened me today!! I had a lesson at 12 and afterwards Paul who looks after me and Youri, took Youri to the stable and arrived back with an envelope in his hand and handed it to me. My address was on the front and a note on the back of the envelope read "Good Luck at the World Championships 2007, hope this helps a little". I opened the envelope and it was full of 50 euro notes to the tune of 2000 euro!!!!!!!!!!!!! I nearly fell off my scooter in shock and then came the tears! There was no note to say who it was from and I just couldn't take it in. Then Jan who was at the yard said a man in a business suit looking pretty dapper asked for me and Jan told him I was having a lesson and he asked for Youris stable and left the envelope in the stable and left the yard without saying anything. To my dapper man a million THANK YOUS.

I rang home and friends in tears telling them what happened. I am thrilled to bits and tomorrow Goodwins the saddlers are coming to hopfully fit me with a new saddle as the one I have is not comfortable on Youri and thats what the money will go on.

2007-06-28T12:02:00.000-07:00

Hi, its Thursday 28th June and the days are flying by. We leave for Hartpury in England on the 16th of July for the Para Dressage World Championships and my last opportunity to qualify for the Paralympics next year. Work is going well. Youri is in good form. We are having some issues getting a saddle to fit him that I can ride in as well so today all I did was get on and off and tried about 5 saddles and we didn't win. Tomorrow I am heading to a friend down in Ferns to pick up another 4 saddles and will try them out, will keep you posted.

2007-06-19T14:15:00.000-07:00

Hi, well its Tuesday, I have had a tough week since I last wrote, rode for six days in a row and had 4 tough but great lessons. My boy, Youri, is going well and seams in good form, he is still lying down lots after his trip to Vienna.

Last Friday I went home to Dundalk and went to a Ceili Mor organised by an old school friend Geraldine Craig in order to raise money, to help me realise my dream to get to the Paralympics. Geraldine is also going to climb Kilamanjaro in September to raise funds. I spent Saturday catching up with paperwork in Armagh and Sunday I went to see my Mum Nora and then to see my pal Helen who 9 weeks ago came off her motorbike and hit the central reservation on the N7 on her way home to Dunleer. Helen broke her right leg and fractured her pelvis in two places and had lots of scraps and stitches on the left side of her bod. Helen is on crutches and just acquired an electric buggy to get her up and running and is doing really well. I have to say Helen and her family has coped amazingly and I am very proud of them all. I got back to Arklow on Monday and had a lesson today with Niall which went well.

My World Championships are on in just over a months time and so the pressure is on to cram in as much work as possible. We are heading for Hartpury in England for the Championships the results will decide whether or not we make it to the Paralympics in Hong Kong next year.

Talk soon

2007-06-15T06:19:00.000-07:00

Hi, am finally up and running on my computer again after some technical hitches and looking forward to telling you all my news.

I am not long home from my 1st 4 star international on my new horse Youri. Youri set off for England on Wednesday 23rd of May, he landed in York at 5am on the 24th. Sue and James Joy set off for Vienna late Friday night with 3 horses (Katherine Wheelocks horse Elisa, and Liza Landaus horse Logan) and all our gear and landed in Kreuttal on Monday 28th May.

The team met up at 5am on Monday 28th for a 7.30am flight to Vienna but due to problems with planes we didnt leave Dublin till gone 12 noon. We were collected by two hansom men who took us to our accommodation and then to Kreuttal where we checked the horses and had some dinner. Dieter then took us back to the De la salle school which became home for the next week.

Tuesday we were up early and had some breki and a bus arrived to take us to the horses. We had a lesson with Doni McNamara our national trainer and Sue rode Youri for me to get him going. We had lunch and then we headed off for a tack shop about half an hour away. Once again we returned to have dinner and then headed home.

Wednesday was trot up day and nerves were begining to show, Elisa had kicked out at Youri as he was anoying her and cut her leg but not badly and somehow we all scraped through. We had dinner again at Kreuttal and headed home for an early night.

Thursday - the first day of competition and I was on first at around 12ish with Katherine and Liza on later in the afternoon. I was bricking it at this point as I didn't know how Youri was going to behave. As we went into the arena I felt him go a bit dead on me and worked really hard to try and keep him going. I pushed him too hard and knocked him out of balance, but we produced not a bad test and headed back to the stables and untacked him washed him down and I started to change when Adeline our Chef came to tell me we were second with 63.2%, we didn't have time to tack up again so I went to the prize giving on Lizas electric scooter with a grin on my face from ear to ear! I was beaten by dutch rider
Petra Van de Sander. We won a rosette and lovely piece of Vienese hand made china. We all headed out for dinner in Vienna to celebrate and we had great fun and lots of laughs.

Friday - our second day of competition Youri felt good today, we went into the arena and he was more forward and I was more settled and able to slow him down and we rode a good test, today I stayed on board just in case! I was in the lead but there were 5 more horses to go including yesterdays winner! Then I heard the news I'd WON with a score of 66.45 - I was in shock, I had dreamt of winning for the last 5 years and it had finally come true. Well there was great excitement, prize giving took a little longer than usual as they didn't have the Irish national anthem to play. The organisers downloaded the music and the words for Doni and Rachel to sing!! Then they managed to download the music (thank god!) I won more china and a rug for Youri and a rosette, they played the national anthem and I got to do a lap of honor. I spent about 2 hours on the phone calling home and friends to let them know my news. I got text messages saying my win had been announced on radio and tv which was very exciting. The team were very supportive and we celebrated with a little champers that night!!

Saturday - Freestyle day - I wasn't looking forward to this as I was still using the music I had for my old horse Oberlina and it didn't really work for my new horse and I hadn't enough walk music and didn't spend enough time working out a plan. As I left Doni I said "for what I am about to do I sincerely apologise". We ended up second with 68.6% and was once again thrilled to bits. Needless to say we had plenty of wine and good food that night!!

So it was a great week all in all and we came home happy chappies. I also met a lady the day I won, her name is Janneke from Holland and she had Youri on her yard from when he was 3 years old until he was 9, we swopped email addresses and I hope to get in touch with her and the family who owned him soon. What a small world!!!!