TO take part in the Horseware Event Riders Challenge Race at Dundalk Stadium on Wednesday, March 28th, those who hadn’t completed a two-star class in the past year had to attend an assessment session at the Racing Academy and Centre of Education.

The trio who travelled to the Centre on the outskirts of Kildare town last Thursday week, and passed with flying colours, were Horse Sport Ireland’s eventing high performance director Sally Corscadden plus Eventing Ireland Northern Region members Jonny Mulligan and William Mackie.

The last-named has far less eventing experience than all others who have signed up for the race and, unlike most of his rivals, he can’t spend all day in the saddle as he is still a student. Each morning the 19-year-old heads into Belfast where he is in the second year of a business diploma course.

Before he does so, however, William rides out at his grandfather Wilson Dennison’s Loughanmore yard where Colin McKeever is the resident trainer.

“I ride out whenever I’m free and hope to get my amateur (jockey) licence well in time for next season,” says William, who has called time on his rugby career. “I’ve schooled around the point-to-point track at Portrush and over hurdles and on the flat at Moira. I’m sticking with the eventing as well and this year am riding Carneyhaugh Conquistador as my brother Patrick has quit.”

DISAPPOINTING

Patrick and the 2001 Don Juan de la Bouverie gelding finished seventh, on their dressage score, in the 35-runner CCIJ1* class at Tattersalls last year so it’s a disappointing to see the rider leave the sport. However, his ‘retirement’ allows William take over on the attractive grey and they were among those who got to compete in the two-phase at Tyrella last Saturday before the event was abandoned because of the very inclement weather.

Hopefully, it will be a better evening when the Challenge Race is run at Dundalk as there will be enough for riders concentrate on without adding wind and rain to the mix.