Meet the trainees - Hayley O'Sullivan

I started riding ponies when I was 11 years old in West Cork and it came very naturally to me. None of my family had ever had any interest in horses or horse racing so it was a bit of a shock when I started horse riding and when I told them I was applying for RACE.

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.

Hayley on week 3 of the course

Training on RACE Gallops

Meet the trainees - Adrian Fitzgerald

My name is Adrian Fitzgerald I am 16 years old I am originally from Charleville Co. Cork but I would nearly consider myself to be from Caragaline as I spent most of the last 2 and a half years there in Ivor Kingston’s yard.  Ivor started me off in the best way I could have hoped for. He looked after me and shaped me into the rider I am today and if it wasn't for him and Denis Payten I would never be in RACE.
Denis gave me a lot of good rides in the flaps which gave me valuable experience. The two of them have been very good to me.

It all started for me when I was 6 years old, I wanted to be a Jockey like my Uncle Mick Fitz and I started going to Crocora Equestrian Centre for lessons.  I first heard about RACE from my Mother, so when I researched the place I thought it looked very good to improve my riding and when I finished my Junior Cert I applied and headed up to the Curragh. I was used to being away from home from staying down with Ivor over my school holidays and weekends.

I have many great and mad memories from Ivor's yard and I miss not being able to be there as much now that I am in RACE but I try to go out there as much as I can. Ivors yard is like no other, for a start he has a dogs that can watch television and ride ponies and donkeys! Where else would you see it!
Every time I go down there I look forward to riding the horses cause at this stage they’re like family. I especially love Dr Massini who is yet to see the race track, we call him Vinnie cause he is related to the infamous Viaduct who won a number of races in England and Ireland. I also love riding Hi Ridge Wood Ben. A friend of my late step father was the man who got me the job at Ivor’s and started me on this road which has been the best time of my life, and there are many more good times to come.

I have been sent out to Paul Deegans from RACE where I am really enjoying myself and I’m finding the experience really great!

My favourite Jockeys are Davey Russel, Tom Queally and Gavin Sheehan.

Heading out to Maddenstown

Parents Day 2014