Paralympics Hong Kong 2008 day 2

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

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.

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!

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

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

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!!!