Hats off to Jessica!

VOLUNTEERS in all sports are much needed and, hopefully, much appreciated but one person who goes well beyond the call of duty is Jessica Burns, call-up steward for the dressage phase of the Flexi Eventing at The Meadows last Saturday.

Unlike most others who had a few or more hours’ sleep, Jessica headed to the McCusker family’s equestrian centre straight from being on night duty in a residential home in Ballynahinch. “I work full-time nights there in four to five 12-hour shifts a week so balancing horses and work can be challenging but I make it work,” said Burns.

“I started riding when I was eight years old and from then I was hooked! I rode for a friend of my Mum’s named Dorothy who gave me a lot of experience. I then moved on to grooming and have groomed for some amazing riders including Adam Haugh, Emily Corbett, Joseph Murphy and Laura and Andrew Napier who all helped me learn so much and to whom I’m forever grateful.

Eventing opportunity

“Then Nicci Hall gave me the ride on the amazing Ann’s Bob who is now owned by Christina Turley. Nicci let me do my first Eventing Ireland one-day on Bob and I cannot thank her and her husband enough as what a day that was! I’m now taking a break from eventing as my own horse is only young. Fingers crossed he will be out at the end of this season or the start of next.

“I’ve had a fair few ups and downs (literally) in my career with horses but I’ve always had an amazing support network around me, especially my Mum, without whom I couldn’t do any of this, and also Neil McCluskey who gives me a lot of advice and support.”

Jessica intends acting as dressage call-up steward again today at The Meadows, as she did during the spring Flexi Eventing series, and also aims to do so each Saturday when the Northern Region’s eventing season eventually gets under way.