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.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
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.
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.
Friday, September 14, 2007
This is us at the World Para Dressage Championships in July 2007. Pictures kindly supplied by www.jumpingaround.com
Monday, September 10, 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
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!!!!!!!!
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!!!!!!!!
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