Some volunteers, past and present with the yard tell us about their time here.
My name is Ella McGrath, I’m 21 years old from Cong Co. Mayo.
What are you working/Studying at?
I moved to Kildare to go to RACE where I did a 6 week course and from there I started working for Richard Brabazon on the Curragh, he has a pre-training yard for young racehorses. My job is an exercise rider in the mornings and all the usual yard duties in the evenings as well.
What age were you when you started riding?
I started riding when I was 9.
What was your most memorable moment in your riding career to date?
It would have to be riding out the Curragh for the first time going up the old vic.
What was/ is your favourite way to spend time with horses?
When I was younger I’d love going to the yard or down to my pony in the field and now I’m lucky enough to call it a job so I get to spend time with horses every day, but apart from work I enjoy going hunting or to the races.
What age were you when you got your first pony/horse?
I was about 12 when I got my first pony Rapunzel to share with my sister Fave and then I got my own pony Charlie when I was about 15/16.
Did you lease/loan a horse or pony before that?
Yes we leased a school pony called Apache from Sinead and Fintan before we got Rapunzel.
How did owning/ leasing change your riding life?
Leasing was great as I don’t come from a horsey background so it gave me the opportunity to try out what it would be like to have my own pony and give me experience without the full commitment of buying straight away.
And then owning my own ponies has taught me loads in general about looking after horses and gave me great opportunities to go to local shows or hunts whenever I wanted.
Did you volunteer/ work at Ballyjennings as a teen or adult?
Yeah I started out helping out at the yard and luckily that progressed into a job as I got older.
How did this prepare you for what you’re doing now?
Working for Fintan & Sinead taught me discipline and dedication but mainly gave me a huge amount of confidence in my riding – I’d never be able to do the job I have now without it. Learning about breaking and riding young horses from Fintan has helped me hugely in the job I have now dealing with yearlings, and of course letting me ride Súil Amháin who was the first racehorse I ever sat on!
They taught me most of what I know about horses which will stand to me forever.
What was the most important thing you learned at Ballyjennings?
The most important thing I learnt at Ballyjennings was to have confidence in my ability, not to give up and to have fun!!
What are your goals for the future?
My goals are to keep riding out and getting better, maybe someday take out my license and ride in a race. I’d also like to work and travel to Australia at some stage.
What piece of advice would you give to someone who rides but cannot own a horse yet?
Ride as many different horses as you can!! I can’t stress how important it is to ride different horses as you learn so so much!
What piece of advice would you give to a first time leaser/ owner?
I would say help out in the yard as much as you can to get experience and be prepared for the commitment.
Tell us your funniest/ happiest memory as a part of Ballyjennings?
Honestly there’s too many but for me it would have to be getting to ride around Ballinrobe Racecourse on Súil Amháin.
Ella's photos
I’m Katie Behan, Im 20 years old from Mayo.
What are you working/Studying at?
Im currently in my second year studying the honours degree of equine management in CAFRE Enniskillen.
What age did you start riding at?
I started riding when I was five years old.
What was your most memorable moment in your riding career to date?
My most memorable moment to date was definitely winning the nationals with my old pony Jet.
What was/ is your favourite way to spend time with horses?
I enjoy just spending time with Taylor in her field just chilling together as it allows time to bond with your horse.
What age were you when you got your first pony/horse?
I started leasing my first pony Jet when I was 15. I bought my first pony Taylor when I was 18.
Did you lease/loan a horse or pony before that?
Yes, I leased Jet for three years before getting Taylor.
How did owning/ leasing change your riding life?
It gave me the chance to go to competitions and improve my riding.
Did you volunteer/ work at Ballyjennings as a teen or adult?
I volunteered at Ballyjennings during the summers and holidays for many years.
How did this prepare you for what you’re doing now?
It gave me a chance to work with breakers, racehorses and top dressage horses which gave me more more experience when I began riding out more often at college.
What was the most important thing you learned at Ballyjennings?
The most important thing I learnt was that hard work and dedication will get you a lot further in life than you might think.
What are your goals for the future?
I’ve just won a scholarship to work in Godolphin for a year. Then I’ll come back and finish my degree before maybe working abroad.
What piece of advice would you give to someone who rides but cannot own a horse yet?
The one piece of advice id give is to take any opportunity you can get to ride different horses as you never know who might give you a chance to ride or compete their horse.
What piece of advice would you give to a first time leaser/ owner?
The piece of advice I’d give a first time leaser is to enjoy every moment with your pony and to set some goals to achieve even if they seem unrealistic now hard work can always help.
What is your happiest/funniest moment as a part of Ballyjennings
I don’t think I can pick one happy moment during my time at during my time at Ballyjennings as it has always been amazing however one thing I will say is the lifelong friends I’ve made and grown up with throughout the time is very special.
Katie's Photos
