Meet The Trainees - Megan Hill

We are four months in to the 2015-2016 course. Trainees are getting on very well with some trainees already out in the mornings on work placement. As well as their typical day in RACE, they have had some time outside RACE visiting Kildangan Stud and the Irish National Stud and have had some well deserved R&R in Whitewater shopping centre in Newbridge. Certainly one of the many highlights for Trainees this year was a visit from Champion Jockey AP McCoy! They even got the chance to go to see 'Being AP' in the cinema which was nice after meeting the famous jockey in the flesh.

We hope that you enjoy meeting this years Trainees.

Hello, my name is Meg and I am 17 years old. It's a bit of a mystery as to where I got my interest in horses but I have loved them for as long as I can remember. When I was only 4 I recieved a rocking horse for Christmas and the rest is history! At 7 I got wind that there were horse riding lessons in my area and then the pestering began. I begged my parents to let me go and eventually Mum gave in. I rode there until I was 11 and then started working in the riding school, leading pony rides and mucking out stalls.

I started riding racehorses when I was 14 with Pat Martin's in Slane and this is where I recieved a mountain of knowledge. At the beginning I had to pay my dues. I spent most of my time mucking out and sweeping the yard. I'd also groom and look after the horses. I think once you can put up with that part, you know you really love it! Eventually Pat began to allow me to ride out, just warming up the horses first and then riding in the string on the gallop, but only on the very quiet horses. I knew there was so much for me to learn before I could progress on to the next level. I only ever rode two pieces of steady work in my time at Pat's, due to the fact that I was considered a weak rider at the time.

I applied for RACE when I was doing my Leaving Certificate. It had been in the pipeline for a long time. I had originally heard about RACE when I was 10 and it was a dream of mine to come here ever since. I remember the first time going to the races at the age of 7. It was arond Easter time. I get flashbacks of myself standing with Dad, like a sponge, taking it all in. I can remember Dad's very words "you know thats a Jockey" and my certain answer "Yes, that's what I'm gonna be".

While riding at Pats I met Emily Finnegan, a past graduate of RACE and she filled me in all about the trainee course here and urged me to attend the open day. So I did. I wont lie, there were numerous tantrums and arguments about the fact that I had to finish my Leaving Certificate before applying to RACE, but I am glad I made that decision now. While everybody was filling out college applications, I was busy, and quite happy, filling out my RACE application.

In June I recieved an acceptance letter for a trial week. Of course I was over the moon and not at all prepared for what I was yet to face. I went into that week thinking I was somewhat physically prepared for the road ahead. Oh how wrong was I?! That week was the most challegning week of my life. An emotional rollercoaster, to say the least. I knew it was what I wanted to do, so everytime I was about to give up, I'd remember those words that were exchanged between Dad and I at the races and I kept going.

So enough about all the negatives. I think it is safe to say that, although it was extremely difficult, that week was one of the most epics weeks of my life also. I made so many great friends, friends that I now know are friends for life. I fell in love with the Curragh and didn't want to leave. That trial week inspired me to train twenty times harder and to become fitter and stronger. To take on the world. The wait for that letter was like being in purgatory. To make it better, when I did get my letter, I couldn't open it! I was so nervous. I eventually mustered up the strength to take a look and low and behold, I was accepted! I cried tears of joy for well over an hour. Everything that I had ever worked towards, all the negative opinions about what I would do for the rest of my life, all the arguments at home didnt matter anymore. I was in! I was going to get a shot at my dream.

This course is everything the trial week promised. It is so tough and will really push you to your limit. sometimes our days last up to 17 hours of non-stop activity but I think that this is the only way to get us prepared for being a jockey outside of the education centre. My dream is to become a National Hunt Jockey one day and thanks to RACE, I am one step closer to becoming that.

"Never let the thought of failure stop you from reaching your dreams"- Dr. Anthony Fernando

Riding demonstration for Family Day 2015

Megan (left) and Leona giving a Simulator demonstration and answering questions from the audience for the Sports & Business Network Tour 2015