Cooler

Balwyllo (Holly) on the riverbank, stable debut 6.15 tonight

Much cooler this morning, 10 degrees as opposed to 20 degrees at 9am yesterday, five cantering on riverbank gallop, 3 off to Hexham, two youngsters in schools, rest on holiday... just as well, evening racing means our lorry won't be home until approx 1.30am - 9.15pm does seem quite late for last race, it's easier being our quiet time of year but I feel a bit for the flat trainers who have this routine all through the summer, the horses still need fed and exercised early.  Afternoon racing at Sedgefield on Thursday where Lucy rides Ouest Eclair in the 2.50, Lap of Honour in the 4.20, Samson Collonges in the 4.50 and Wotsitgottodowithu in the 5.20....... no doubt we will be listening in from afar 

Kelso and on.......

Well, a tricky sort of day at Kelso yesterday, very warm, a few people caught out by the rapidly drying ground and a water crisis admirably resolved by the racecourse staff - all served to remind one that National Hunt horses should really be out in the field at this time of year...... hmm, Goldtrek nearly unshipped Lucy at the first and lost a bit of ground but she ran a fine race after that to finish 6th and is going to shape up into a nice hurdler, she loved the ground, Or de Grugy ran well for two mile but ran out of petrol quite quickly, it would be good to find out what is ailing him as he has lost his form; Commercial Express once again showed that Kelso isn't really his track, he was staying on into 6th when he appeared to go lame on the run-in, he has been well-bandaged up by the excellent on course veterinary team and we will see how he is in a day or two. Some fine pictures of the day taken by Dennis Penney, see them here (if it works!).
Tonight at Carlisle Lucy rides on the flat again, this time Billy Dane in the 6.20 then tomorrow night we head to Hexham where Balwyllo makes his stable debut in the 6.15 under Catherine Walton, 9 run and the ground is likely to be on the fast side of good.  This horse hasn't shown much and is lowly rated, I'm not sure what his trip etc will be yet but I really can't believe he isn't a little better than his rating would indicate, if he handles the track I would expect him to go well.  We then run Isla Patriot (Peter Buchanan) and Northern Flame (Lucy) in the 9.15, 17 run though the latter will only line up if I am happy with the ground, Lucy also rides Naiad de Misselot in the 7.45........... will be a late night and an early flight on Wed morning to Venice for two nights with Clare and Mrs A, Lucy looks like heading on to Sedgefield and Wetherby before we all meet up again at Cartmel at the end of the week........

A little self-indulgence...

...never went amiss. As perfect a morning as I can remember today at Kinneston and I can't resist sharing a few snaps I took when I was out with second lot.....



Back next year.... Noir et Vert



Out with Mum, Little Glenshee and veteran mare Harrietfield

The mares look on with sympathy as Academy (Amy) and The Paddy Premium (Emma) complete their work

Heading back down



Grey on grey - Little Glenshee and Tipsy Dara



The boys..........

Papamoa and Daasij

You scratch my back.... eight time Kinneston winners Wise Man and Solsgirth look after each other

And the future... 3yo gelding by Generous ex Harrietfield

And his big brother Here's to Harry by Hellissio

Tipsy Dara

Moving on soon, in fine shape... Seeking Power





And the sun

baked down, astonishing, it's really, really hot and I can actually see the grass growing; very warm for the horses but they are either languishing in the fields or in nice cool barns.  A routine morning for those still in work, steady canters on the all-weather and the riverbank, copious quantities of cut grass being brought in for those on the sick list, who are they?  Well, Isla Pearl Fisher's cut he sustained when winning at Kelso 3 weeks ago is healing slowly but steadily; Issabella Gem is still recovering from the injuries incurred when falling on the lorry and she will have at least another six weeks resting, Forcefield was a little jarred up after his last run in March but is nearly ready to be turned out and the Desert King 3yo hurt herself on the horsewalker last week and has some stitches in her head, they should be coming out in a few days. So, four of them, for now, not too bad..........all receiving plenty of TLC from the girls.




Kelso's final fixture of the season on Sunday (or 3rd fixture of the new season depending on which way you look at it) and we have three runners - Goldtrek in the 2.15, 14 run, Lucy rides and the going will be on the quick side of good.  This is her 3rd run in quite a short space of time, doesn't give her much chance to improve but the trip and ground will be much more up her street than last week, she is still learning though, then Or de Grugy in the 3.50, Lucy rides, 11 run, this looks competitive but he has a low weight and will love the track and ground if he can show some of his old sparkle.  Finally we run Commercial Express in an open looking Hunter Chase at 5pm, 14 run and Kit rides.   Lucy also rides Pillar of Hercules in the 2.45 and Horton in the 5.30.  Before that she is at Catterick this evening and Haydock tomorrow where she rides Madam Macie in the 5.50........... not sure about this...........  





Contrast

So, back home and the contrast wiht last week is extraordinary, as warm a May week as I can remember succeeds as cold a May week as I can remember, enjoy while it lasts and pressure builds to turn horses away to enjoy a proper flush of spring grass rather than risk one more run on ground that will be changing rapidly.  About a dozen still being ridden, some youngsters and eight or so to run through the summer.  No luck for Lucy last night, a heavy looking fall but she somehow appeared to ride later in the card, a couple didn't, I wonder if the BHA/PJA have any statistics to show the percentage of jockeys that give up their rides later on the card after a fall on good to firm compared with the percentage on normal ground?  Uncomfortable viewing and today she moves on to Wetherby where she rides Velvet Vic in the 2.10, Lord Villez in the 4.30 and Srimenati in the 5.40.  Tomorrow she has her first rides as an apprentice on the flat, at Catterick where she rides Sharp Shoes in the 6.35 and Dynamic Drive in the 8.30, 3m 1f chase to 5f sprint, should be interesting!

Homeward bound

Back on train heading home, marginally more civilised so far, lots of horses been turned away to grass, looking forward to seeing them basking in the sun this afternoon, a few working on our all-weather this morning and Balwyllo, Academy, Northern Flame and Commercial Express away for a spin up Lucinda's wood chip.lucy riding there having left us in London yesterday and then heading to Sedgefield this evening where she rides Kealigolane in the 6.30, On Gossamer Wings in the 8.00, Behindcloseddoors in the 8.30 and Slaveheart in the 9.00

Trains..

A smooth morning at home prior to departing to catch the "Chairman's train" to London for 48 hours. Business to do, friends to catch up with and a trip to the Chelsea Flower Show (fish out of water?) a lot of other people on this train are heading to the same show and unfortunately there are twice as many of them as there should be, the train in front broke down and the whole lot have climbed aboard, added to that there is no hot or cold food on the train, told Mrs A that she should have made sandwiches but had to survive on cake so now feeling rather sick and a fellow passenger is having a seizure, Doctor is assuring her it's not cardiac but stress levels are rising in a train scene reminiscent of a foreign land, aircon seems to be struggling to cope and bizarrely the East Coast staff are trying to pacify the angry masses by plying them with seemingly unlimited quantities of alcohol which I am having no problem resisting, nearly there......

At last...

Lucy Henry on Art Investor

... a blissful spring day and now we can move forwards turning horses away for the summer in anticipation of a good week's weather.  Of course a few need to move on and I am delighted that excellent second careers have been found for Seeking Power and Amulree, both home bred and both with many tales to tell.  The former is off to brother Michael who will hunt him in the hills around his home at Cantyhall. Amulree left this morning and is going to Gemma who works here who will do some show jumping on her this summer and then have her as a schoolmaster point-to-pointer next winter.  The vast majority of racehorses are capable of excelling in a range of other spheres and the industry is rightly and successfully making a huge effort to expand this aspect of the racing business, we have always gone to great effort to try to find suitable careers for our former in-mates and one of the most successful in recent years as been Art Investor who is now evented by Kinneston team member Lucy Henry, today he is at Floors having won his class over the last two weekends, thanks to Lucy's hard work this somewhat recalcitrant racehorse has proved talented at dressage, cross country and show jumping.

We ducked the p2p today, busy here and more importantly Kit is in the middle of his exams, Lucy likely to be busy during the week but our next runners won't appear until  next Sunday at Kelso

The last day........

Isla Patriot with Gemma, covered in Perth mud

 ...of winter I hope, 6 degrees, freezing rain, snow in the hills and it's the 18th of May, not much better tomorrow but hope ahead for next week I feel. Routine day either on the all-weather or hacking, time to catch up in the office after a busy Perth. 

A chilly Ladies Day!

 So-so sort of day yesterday with Isla Patriot putting up a career best to come 4th in the 3m novice hurdle, hopefully we can find a little handicap for him somewhere soon, The Paddy Premium ran as expected in the 2 mile handicapchase finishing 5th, he needs some mercy from the handicapper at the age of 12 and Buffalo Ballet got stuck in the mud to finish 5th in the bumper, Lucy was easy on him once his chance had gone and as I said yesterday his preparation had been interrupted. We are deliberating whether or not to go to the p2p at Hexham on Sunday, 4 entered but ground might be a bit extreme and there are other opportunities for these horses most of whom have been busy enough of late. Busy will be Lucy over the weekend, first "double-header" tomorrow when she rides Or D'Oudairies in the 3.45 at Bangor then Almadam in the 5.55 at Uttoxeter (how far is it from Bangor to Uttoxeter?), she also rides Ouest Eclair in the 6.55 and Turbolinas in the 7.30. Then on Sunday she heads to Market Rasen to ride Lap of Honour in the 2.30 and Monsieur Jordain in the 3.30, pictures courtesy of Frank Cornfield

The Buffalo stuck in the mud - frustrating end to his season having waited so long for good ground

Perth



Or de Grugy (left) runs loose with Waterski



Well, an interesting evening at Perth yesterday, rather too busy for my likeing........ in the first Cheatingsideoftown put up an improved effort to finish 5th, he seemed to settle much better though did finish tired, a horse to look forward to later in the year, Or de Grugy lost his jockey in the melee of a false start and ran loose so had to be withdrawn, Amulree jumped nicely until her breathing problem cut in she will now stick to point-to-pointing, Rossini's Dancer sulked after making a couple of early mistakes, Academy continues to improve and ran a good race to finish 6th over a trip that was far enough for him at this stage, Goldtrek ran a nice second race over a trip that was also too far and Four Fiddlers put up a decent effort to finish 4th, I still think he is better than this though and we mustn't forget that he had a horrendous collision in November and these things can take longer to get over than one initially thinks.

Anyway, today, it's raining, and we run Isla Patriot in the 2.20 with Peter Buchanan on board, 8 run, he will struggle against the top three but seems in good heart. We then run The Paddy Premium in the 3.55, Wilson Renwick on board 9 run, he should come on again for the run and then in the 5.40 we run Buffalo Ballet with Lucy on top, he has had an interrupted preparation but is very fresh and well and if the interupptions haven't affected his fitness too much he shouldn't be far away.  Lucy also rides Kings Chorister in the 5.05, Northern Acres had been due to run in the same race but has been withdrawn due to the softened ground.......

Goldtrek with Gillian

Busy Perth

A fine day today, at least the sun is shining even if it is a little bit cold still, work on the all weather and one of the grass gallops that is riding nicely.  A busy evening at Perth tomorrow where we have 7 (gulp) runners starting with Cheatingsideoftown ridden by Lucy in the 6pm, 9 run, he has a nice racing weight and will hopefully have come on for his run in April, it looks competitive though.  Then Or de Grugy (Alexander Voy) and Amulree (Lucy) run in the 6.30, 13 run and it looks an open enough race, Rossini's Dancer runs in the 7.00 with Lucy on board, a winner over 2 miles here at the last meeting he steps back up to 3 which should suit him perfectly well. We then run Academy (Lucy) and Goldtrek (Brian Harding) in the 7.30, the latter will only line up if the ground is properly good by then, both of these horses are learning their trade but have plenty of ability and might show up well in what looks like a race without much strength in depth. Finally we run Four Fiddlers in the 9pm, Lucy on board again, he should appreciate this ground and hopefully will handle the step up to three miles..... after that I think I shall need to lie down, perhaps for a very long time!  

Goldtrek (Lucy) makes her hurdling debut at Kelso earlier this month

Dramatic finale

A cold day with blustery showers of hail and rain but a fine evening, focus is on plans for Perth this week where hopefully we will have a few runners. A relaxing Sunday and fun watching 14yo Johnny become the first boy to play for the Kilgraston old girls against the school 1st XI prior to the extraordinary drama of the premiership finale, simply unbelievable and at the same time as the denouement was being played out Sir Alex's horse won the bumper at Worcester....... tomorrow Lucy heads off to Southwell where she rides Apache Brave in the 5.40, Le Roi Rouge in the 6.10 and Madame Blavatsky in the 8.40... then a late drive back to Yorkshire in her new sponsored Audi, courtesy of Markel International, this means we have for sale her Subaru Impreza, 1.5 4WD, 58,000 miles, perfect condition - £6500 ono would secure, please contact me if any interest.... (does that count as commerce creeping in again?) 

Amulree with Kit, perhaps a little less mud if she heads to Perth this week...

Slow Sunday

A fine drying wind or horrible howling gale depending on one's demeanour this morning, I'll settle for the former but it certainly doesn't feel like the middle of May.  A quiet Sunday for once and horses all enjoying a stretch on the walker or out in the paddocks, a chance to make plans, pop up to Perth to check the track and then watch younger daughter Clare playing hockey against the old girls (shame big sis' isn't playing, that would have been fun but Uttoxeter beckons) then home for football and racing on TV this afternoon, the usual fight for the Sky controls, could be a dramatic afternoon!   

Yearlings in the rain, both geldings by Flemensfirth, chesnut on the left brother to Buffalo Ballet, bay on the right out of a sister to a Gold Cup winner 

Sunny Saturday

 Glorious sunny morning, still cool but spirits raised after days of rain and a busy morning with most of the horses working on the all-weather, a few others having a four mile scamper round the farm. Plans being made for Perth next weeek, lots of entries but tricky to work out what the ground will be like, should be decent but a handful of entries at Aintree on Friday as well to keep all options covered. We just might be able to get a few horses turned away to grass next week, several will be enjoying some spring sunshine out in the paddocks this afternoon. Lucy riding out in Yorkshire this morning, due to be at Uttoxeter tomorrow where she has two rides for Richard Ford - Golden Dream in the 4pm and Dulally in the 5pm, I will be using the opportunity of a blank weekend to go round the country to see some young horses for the future

Buffalo Ballet and The Paddy Premium

Ground control..

.. to Major Tom, well, Kelso abandoned, Hexham abandoned, 4 degrees, raining when I took the dogs out last night, I was frozen, came in and the weather forecast told it it might snow today, it's the middle of May for goodness sake, feel like going in to a very deep trance and seeing if I can transport my little patch of Scotland to another planet, off we go, horses and all........ hmm Mrs A thought I needed cheering up and dragged me off to local Indian and filled me full of lager and curry so now feel rather unwell, meant to be running three at Cumberland point-to-point tomorrow but now subject to inspection, still Perth next week and Lucy riding at Market Rasen this afternoon - Tiradia 1.55, Kirkhammerton 2.25, Lord Villez 2.55 and Samson Collonges 4.00..  stop press..... p2p off ... some fun pics taken by John McBroom...

It's a serious business

Isla Pearl Fisher... stabled now but on the mend

And this one from John Grossick which neatly sums up current conditions!

Thistle in the mud (Kit)

Wet Thursday

Cold and wet today with the rain affecting racing up and down the country.  Quietish morning for most of the horses but this afternoon we head to Kelso where we run Amulree in the 6.15, we are hoping that the drop back in trip and drop to low level handicapping might assist her, she may be withdrawn if the ground ends up heavy, 14 run and Brian Harding rides, Lucy is on Stuff of Dreams  for Ferdy.  Tipsy Dara runs in the 7.45, 3m 4f on very soft ground would be right up her street, 16 run and Lucy rides, it's a competitive race but she appears to be in good heart. Lucy also rides Niaid du Misselot in the 7.15 and Pete in the 8.15. 



Tipsy Dara



Slow Spring

Well, what started in March as a premature spring has definitely turned into a slow spring, cool, the odd sunny spell but regular bouts of rain, just need it to warm up a little bit so we can turn more of the horses away to grass.
Plenty going on with about 15 working on the all-weather this morning, the weekend runners out for a hack and some youngsters to bring on.
An interesting demonstration from Mick Naughton of Equinity a wide ranging stable management system that combines heart rate monitoring with Garmin GPS technology; we use Garmin already quite a lot to compare speeds between different gallops, I find it very useful to have quantitative confirmation of what I think I am seeing.
Hmmm, of course the best thing will be having it all online, preumably it will integrate with the periscope and heat detecting leg wraps, so while I am sitting on the beach with the iPad I can monitor the horses' heart rates and speed on the gallops, bliss, won't be able to take photos for owners .......... pictures of horses will no doubt change to something like this 

Perhaps it will be me that will need the heart rate monitor?

First game of golf this year tomorrow afternoon, feels very early in the year, normally don't get round to it until July, diving in at the deep end with a spin the the R&A Spring Medal, could be carnage.... whilst I am on the subject of golf balls.......

A man entered the bus with both of his front pockets full of golf balls and sat down next to a beautiful blonde.

The puzzled blonde kept looking at him and his bulging pants.

Finally, after many such glances from her, he said, 'It’s golf balls'.

Nevertheless, the blonde continued to look at him for a very long time, deeply thinking about what he had said.
After several minutes, not being able to contain her curiosity any longer,
she asked...'Does it hurt as much as tennis elbow?'

Long Weekend

A long weekend but a rewarding one, the highlight being Northern Flame's first win at the Lauderdale point-to-point yesterday, he can look like he is making heavy weather of things but he won with plenty in hand and all being well will now switch back to running under rules.  Next best was Papamoa narrowly failing to give weight all round when 2nd in the 3m novice hurdle at Hexham on Saturday night, another brave effort he may have one more run before his break.  Also at Hexham Academy settled and jumped much better until fitness told in the testing ground, more to come from him I am sure.  Flaming Thistle made a quick reappearance at Lauderdale and probably put up his best effort to date to finish a close third, Almost Blue was a monkey in the preliminaries and had a solo tour of the racecourse prior to reuniting with Jamie and finishing 4th, Amulree jumped and travelled well but her old wind problems cut in and she tired towards the end, Native Coll ran a decent race to be 5th in a competitive Club race.

Northern Flame (Kit) sets sail for home at Mosshouses yesterday

Snow featured at Hexham and Lauderdale and is still cold here this morning, plenty of work for the horses, mostly on the riverbank, next runners will probably be at Kelso on Thursday evening and then Hexham on Saturday.  Sad to hear of the passing of Florida Pearl, one of my favourites and tragedy in the stalls at the Guineas reminding us of how we are always treading such a fine wire between triumph and disaster, wonderful achievements from team Ballydoyle at Newmarket though, I only listened on the radio but 18yo Joseph's ride on Camelot was almost unreal in the talent and confidence it revealed.

Balwyllo (Holly)

Buffalo Ballet (Lucy)

Here's to Harry (Lucy H)

 

Two Souffles

Let me tell you about............  Mrs A's lunch - well, it started with an "amuse-bouche" of a beetroot macaroon with horseradish cream, this was quickly followed by a teaser of a queenie scallop on its shell in a parmesan veloute alongside a cockle in a mild curry sauce, so then the starter of Loch Fyne crab marie rose, after that came the widely acclaimed lobster souffle, hmm, a brief pause then a ravioli of border roe deer in a rich jus with cauliflower cream , and then the main course - navarin of lamb on a spelt risotto, ooh, must still be hungry - how about another souffle, this time spiced orange with a little mango sorbet, oh dear, no room for cheese, just coffee with a few "waffeur thin" salted caramel chocs - all washed down with some Louis Roederer then a Jurancon Sec and a fine red from the Loire valley............ poor little me of course having been let loose the night before and as the designated driver was forced into showing restraint and settled for a single souffle and lashings of Highland Spring.....
A sharp air this morning but bright sunshine and a fine morning for exercising horses, skylarks high in the sky and the drum of the woodpecker, lots going on and I nearly chocked on my Weetabix when Mrs A pointed out that i was on the "hot trainer's" list in the Racing Post, fancy that, on Guineas day as well, such illustrious names, enjoy the moment - might be unique I suspect, no doubt back to my more normal position half way up the "cold" list before long..........   

Little Glenshee in full flight at Perth - fences soon I think!

Weekend

A fine quiet day, some schooling over hurdles and steady stuff on the riverbank sand gallop, declarations and logistics being sorted for the weekend prior to important lunch with owners past, present and future (always hopeful!) in Martin Wishart, only problem being that having only managed to celebrate IPF win with a mug of Horlicks late on Wednesday night was led astray last night by Mrs A and Clare at Cafe Tabou  force fed a T bone and far too many victuals.... I shall gird my loins...

Papamoa (Lucy)

A busy weekend beckons and tomorrow we run Academy in the 7.10 at Hexham, 9 run, Lucy rides and the ground is likely to be very soft, far from ideal and a big unknown for him but he was ballotted out at Kelso and needs more experience.  Papamoa runs in the 8.10, 7 run, Lucy rides, he gives weight to the whole field but the track and ground should suit and I would hope he will run well if it doesn't come too soon after his hard fought win at Perth last week.  Lucy also rides Kealigolane in the 6.40.  On Sunday we head to the Lauderdale p2p with an intended 5 runners at this stage...

Isla Pearl Fisher

Whoop whoop

Isla Pearl Fisher at Kelso last night

Bed at midnight and up at six so weary limbs but a happy heart this morning after an exhilarating win by Isla Pearl Fisher in the feature race at Kelso last night, such a great place to have a winner thanks to the enthusiastic crowd and he came in to a positively rapturous reception, heady stuff and at least we will have one winner in the 2012/13 season! He seems to be continuing to improve aged 9 and is a good example of the patient approach with NH horses bearing fruit. He came in with a nasty cut that left me slightly preoccupied in the aftermath but fingers crossed it should be OK, earlier in the card Goldtrek made a very satisfactory hurdling debut, though a bit keen early Lucy soon had her settled and she jumped nicely, more to come from her when conditions dry up. Nearly dark by the time Flaming Thistle took to the track, he travelled and jumped well though seems to lack acceleration, he ran above his previous form to finish 6th and if he is OK and the snow stays away he may make a quick reappearance at Lauder on Sunday. Into the car to hear the closing stages of the Toon thumping Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge and earlier had witnessed two horses from the p2p Northern circuit win at the Cheltenham Hunter Chase evening - quite a night......... Tomorrow Lucy rides Stanley Bridge in the 7pm at Bangor-on-Dee, we may have another late night on Saturday at Hexham and then it will be Lauder on Sunday, images from yesterday courtesy of Frank Cornfield

The Goldtrek partnership - where's Walt?



Jockey on board - seen those colours somewhere before?

Happy Trainer!



In with the new....

A fine drying day yesterday and we are hoping for more of the same today when we kick of the 2012/13 season at Kelso this evening.  Two of our runners would prefer good ground including Goldtrek who makes her hurdling and stable debut in the 5.45 for Messrs Dudgeon, Irwin and Alexander.  She is a classy American bred mare that we bought out of Roger Charlton's yard in October, I adore her and am sure she has plenty of ability but her form indicates that she definitely prefers "top of the ground," Lucy rides and 14 run.  In the 7.30 we run Isla Pearl Fisher in a competitive looking 3 mile handicap chase with Peter Buchanan on board, he is progressive but the more things dry out the better for him as good ground seems to bring out the best in him.  Lucy rides Fred Bojangles in the same race and Cassius later in the card.  We finish with Flaming Thistle in the 8.30, Kit rides and 11 run, why step up in grade from maiden point-to-point to Hunter Chase? well, he is in great form, ran well at the track for Nicky Richards and should cope with the larger obstacles - there is the additional issue of snow being mentioned at the weekend which might affect the alternative at the Lauderdale p2p so we're grabbing our chance!

Goldtrek (Amy) a different type of horse for us........

I was very pleased with the progress this stable made last season, 13 winners and 11 seconds from 123 runners, increased the scale and maintained the strike rate, 44% of runners were in the winners enclosure and we just scraped my key target of 20% in the first two. We seem to have a system in place that works, goodness knows how,  I felt the form of the horses was very consistent across the whole season. Plenty of disappointments and frustrations as well of course, that is racing I am afraid. We go into the new season full of ambition, enthusiasm and energy; the team is growing in every respect in terms of horses, staff, owners and a host of other people doing their bit, so a big heartfelt thanks from me to everyone for their loyal support - let's not forget Mrs A of course who does a host of stuff in the backgroundand has to put up with Trainer, even when, like last night when she was on (another) girls night he ate a whole tin of baked beans, not only that he failed to do his washing up........humble pie!  Excuse - celebrating of course, because........ 
Lucy managed a dream start to the new season when making her first ride a winning one on Mansonnien L'As at Sedgefield last night, great stuff.  I still can't really believe what a wonderful start she had to her professional career which has only been going for 7 months, she wouldn't have done it without the horses and I would like to express thanks to everyone that has supported her, most particularly Barry Murtagh, Ferdy Murphy, Bruce Mactaggart and the Hamiltons - you have to stick your neck out to put a girl up over jumps and they did!