April 2006
Announcement - Kathryn joins Para Equestrian Ireland
I am pleased to announce that from this year I aim to represent Ireland at International Para Equestrian events.
My Dad is Irish so I have an Irish passport which makes me eligible to ride for Ireland. I have become a member of Para Equestrian Ireland (the governing body for para dressage riders in Ireland), and I hope to be part of the team that will ride at the GB International at Hartpury this year.
I have already started having some lessons with one of the Irish para dressage team trainer, Donie McNamara, and he seems to know how to get the best out of me and Indi and concentrates on perfecting the basics. Luckily he comes over to England quite regularly so I don't need to go to Ireland for lessons. However, I hope to be going to Ireland for a Dressage Festival at Marlton Stud in June.
Paralympic Training Camp - Limerick
I have been invited to a training camp organised by the Paralympic Council of Ireland for all Irish Paralympic athletes aiming to compete in Beijing in 2008 (or for equestrians, Hong Kong).
This takes place at the end of April and is the first activity I will take part in as a member of the Irish squad. Breda Bernie who competed in Athens will also be attending, so I am looking forward to getting to know her.
Winnie scores over 77%
At a recent dressage competition, my young horse Winnie won two classes with scores of 75.45% and 77.5%. Winnie is still only 6 and is lacking in competition experience so my friend Hayley agreed to take her out for a bit of practice at an unaffiliated show at Croft Top in Lanacashire. This was Hayley and Winnie's first competition together and Winnie didn't put a foot wrong all day, including loading first time and travelling quietly.
After a few more outings I will be starting to compete on her and I'm really looking forward to it!