Within the first year I was breaking in young horses, had been hunting, show jumping, cross-country and pretty much everything in between. When I was 13 / 14years of age I did two seasons of Southern Pony Racing and rode ponies for Tyner’s in Cork which I really enjoyed. I loved the thrill of the race and the speed we went at. I then moved on from pony racing to trotting races for 2 seasons which I also thoroughly enjoyed.
I was then employed by a local trekking yard to take tourists out on treks and give lessons to children which was a bit more easy going and the horses were a lot easier to ride.
I then took a year out of riding when I was 17 and went to college and soon realised it wasn't for me and applied for RACE as soon as I could. I was delighted when I got my letter telling me I was accepted to the week’s trial in June. The trial was every tough but I tried my heart out and was very lucky as it all paid off after a very hard 3 weeks of waiting and waiting everyday for the letter to come and then the letter came and I had been accepted! I was ecstatic and couldn't wait for the 1st of September to begin.
I was nervous to meet the new people and the ride the horses after I’d been out of the saddle for what felt like a life time but we all soon settled in and became very close friends and got very comfortable around the yard.
The fitness was difficult in the beginning but it didn't take us long to get into the swing of things with great facilities such as our own gym and simulator room which we can use any evening we want in our own time.
I am delighted with the course and how its all going and I am looking forward to see what the future brings to me when I have completed the course.
Hayley was sent out on work placement in Ken Condon’s Yard on the 19th of January 2015.
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| Hayley on week 3 of the course |
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| Training on RACE Gallops |
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