 Enniskillen Racing Club  |
Enniskillen Racing Club
16 April 2008 Rhonda Shows Her Class AgainIn five races for the Enniskillen Campus Racing Club, Rhonda Armstrong has not been placed outside the first four. With one second, three thirds and one fourth, she is showing all the qualities that go to make up a very competent young jockey. Riding the twelve year old gelding, Hunters Tweed, who has taken to the Campus routine very well, Rhonda changed tactics from the previous week and sat at the rear of the field for the first mile of the race at Maralin. She was content to quietly pass the field one by one until finding herself in front at the end of the back straight. From there, it was a close battle to the line, where Rhonda and her horse were only a length and a half behind the winner. Barry Mc McCormick was also riding in this race, having his second ride on Fogonthetyne. Barry was closing to the lead most of the way and was just outpaced in the back straight. He came home in fifth place, which in a competitive race of this nature was commendable. The students’ other two runners were Ala Hounak Pet (Ally) and Stemarto (Smarty). Ally, who has been unlucky in her first few runs, finished in fifth place and should improve in the future in a mares race. Credit must go to Jennifer Feeney, a BSc2 student, who has ridden Ally in her schooling Jennifer has helped the mare to regain any confidence lost in her last outing. Smarty, having her first run, looked well in the parade ring but suffered a little stage fright in the paddock before the race. As her race started, Smarty's jockey lost his stirrup and was not able to recover in time for the first fence and found themselves unable to continue. The team of students who prepared the horses to look so well and then led them up in the parade ring deserve a lot of praise. Next week it’s on to Newry, where the students’ horses again hold entries. If you would like to join the Enniskillen Campus Racing Club as a student, please contact our team by e mail enquiries@cafre.ac.uk or Freephone 0800 0284291
Barry and Bubble with Seamus leading
Tweedy jumping the final fence 22 April 2008 Toomebridge and Summerhill a success for Racing clubFollowing a promising day at Tallanstown last weekend, the Racing Club travelled to Toomebridge on Saturday where Let's Boogie was having his 3rd run. 'Henry' (Lets Boogie) was led up by Jessica McGrath (BSc 1) who had her horse looking really well in the paddock. ‘Henry’ set of in front and quickly had the field at full stretch. He led the race until the last fence, where he was caught. On the line, horse and rider were only a length down in second place - very promising! 'Ally' (Ala Hanouk Pet) ran in the older mares maiden race where she travelled and jumped well up with the leaders until she lost her footing on landing and unfortunately came down at the fourth last fence. The following day, the students travelled to Summerhill with one of the new recruits to the Racing Club, ‘Tweedy’ (Hunters Tweed). This was his first run since arriving at Enniskillen. After a good start, ‘Tweedy’ dropped to the back of the field and looked like he had given up. However, his rider, Rhonda Armstrong (BSc3), had other ideas and gently coaxed him to make up a lot of ground inside the last mile. They finished 3rd, just three and a half lengths behind the winner. Now a twelve year old, Tweedy will undoubtedly continue to enjoy giving some of the young students invaluable experience, helping them to progress within the equine industry. After a rest for the horses, the students can now look forward to another bright weekend coming right up.
Henry with a lap to go |
