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!!!

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.

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!!!!

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.

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.

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.