Hi, my name is Sophia Jones, I am from Wicklow and I
am 16 years old. I started riding on my 8th birthday and that birthday present
lasted much longer than my parents expected. Before coming to RACE, I competed
in Show jumping, Dressage and Eventing. I spent a few months working in a
showjumping yard in Kilkenny, doing this proved to me that I wanted to work in
the Equine Industry. I have always loved horses for as long as I can remember,
and I couldn’t imagine life without them.
I found out about RACE through a few different
graduates. It sounded like it was exactly what I wanted, so I decided to apply
for RACE and I did a week trial. I must admit it was tough but well worth it. I
was shocked when I got my letter saying that I was accepted into RACE. At first
it was hard being away from home but in no time, you are settled in, months
have flown by and my time here has been amazing. I have two favourite horses down in the barn,
Bold Thady Quill and Eye of the Tiger.
My favourite part of being in the barn is schooling over the hurdles and
the fences, it’s the best feeling!
In my 7th week at RACE I fractured my foot whilst
running and 6 weeks later I fractured my other foot. During this time, I worked
hard on my strength in the gym. Even though I was injured I still went down in
the morning to watch everyone riding out.
I got back riding in January and I am now in John
Oxx’s. A typical morning for me is to get up and have breakfast. My bus is at
6:05a.m., I finish around 1p.m. and I usually have 5 lots. Everyone in the yard
are so helpful and give you different tips, my riding has come on a lot since
I’ve been there. I love being out in the yard, no day is ever the same. I have
had such great opportunities already riding on different gallops on the Curragh
such as the Old Vic.
It’s like a family up here, I share my dorm with 5
other girls, and it feels like I have known them forever. We are very close and
get each other through everything. Our evenings are usually filled, on Mondays
and Wednesdays we have gym with Wayne, he puts us through our paces, but you
always feel the better of it. We have
had Pilates with John the chef as well as cooking classes. We also have lessons
on the simulator with Paddy Flood. Fitness is a large part of the course, we
have a number of fitness tests throughout the year and the targets get higher
each time, it is great to see that all the sessions with the coach have paid
off.
I think RACE is a great place for anyone who wants to
be a jockey or who wants to work in industry.
If you work hard it will all pay off.
Sophia was placed with John Oxx on the 14th of January 2019.
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| The long straight on Maddenstown Gallops |
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