Meet the trainees - Emma Twomey

My name is Emma Twomey. I’m 18 years old and come from Co. Waterford. I didn’t come from a horsey background as such but my mother sent me to a few pony lessons when I was younger. It was only when we moved to a house with 2 fields and 2 stables that my parents decided to give me and my older sister a pony, and it was from there that we started hunting and developed an interest in horses. I love going hunting, its great craic! Although, it did give me a few bad habits. 

I only developed an interest in Horse Racing when I was brought to a point-to-point meeting that our hunt was organising and it grew from there. My parents were adamant that I did my leaving cert but during that time I got a job riding out weekends for a local point-to-point trainer, Diarmuid Ryan. I love it there (in Diarmuid’s yard) and learn a lot a lot from him because he takes the time to help me  and teaches me not just about racing but everything about horses in general.

I decided about 4 years ago that I wanted to go through RACE, but I was made stay in school until I had the leaving cert done and being honest I’m glad my parents did. So I started in RACE on the 1st of September 2014 after having done a week trial. I have learned so much in the space of 4 months on my seat, style and technique. The instructors in the yard, Barry, Niall, Paul K and Paul G are a huge help. They tell me what I need to improve on. My strength and fitness has improved so much as well but there’s still a long way to go. The daily routine here at RACE was tough to keep up with at the start but once my fitness and strength improved it go easier.

I start working for Conor O’ Dwyer this week and I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a great yard and I’ve been told by everyone I ask that Conor is a fair man that is great to work for. So hopefully I will get on well there and I am looking forward to learning as much as I can.

(Emma has been working at Conor’s yard since Monday 12/01/2014)

Emma training on RACE Gallops

Sadhbh Gannon - A typical afternoon

After we have ridden the horses and groomed them over we would go over to the canteen and have some tea. After tea we could have instruction on the simulators, a second lot, or have stable management depending on the day.

When we finish on the yard we head over for lunch at 1 o'clock. School starts at 2 o'clock and depending on what day of the week it is we would have Business, Communications, HRF (Health Related Fitness), IT or Stable and Yard Routine. We finish school at 5 o'clock and head back to our dorms and have tea.

We have PE with our teacher on Mondays and Wednesdays and are free to use the gym equipment, the hall and the simulators whenever we want.

After PE we have showers and supper at 9 o’clock. After supper we are usually fit for bed!

 

Sadhbh heading out to Maddenstown with her group