Quick to the rescue

SIDE saddle expert Susan Oakes is now bringing over all three of the Irish mounts being used by the three Irish ladies selected to take place in Britain’s first side saddle race at Wincanton racecourse.

Carlow veterinary surgeon Aoife Byrne’s intended mount Lord Attica very unfortunately had to be euthanised after suffering a bad bout of colic, leaving her without a suitable mount.

Quick to offer help was Oakes who kindly offered one of her pointers, Ben Of Fore, as a replacement. Susan is now bringing over all three of the mounts being used by the Irish riders in the race on Sunday, October 25th - hers, Byrne’s and Claire Gundry’s.

So all eyes are now on the three Irish ladies mounted on Irish-bred horses in Britain’s first racecourse side saddle race taking place on Sunday October 25th in aid of the Southern Spinal Injuries Trust.

Launch of

new book

CONGRATULATIONS to Co Meath author Jean Murray, whose new book “Madhead the Crazy Horse!” will be officially launched on Saturday, November 7th (11am-2pm) at Broadmeadows EC, Bullstown, Co Meath.

This beautifully illustrated story is about a clumsy cob pony, who lives at Broadmeadows Stables. He is not very smart nor very good looking, so he is not too popular in his yard. Nobody can see that he is really a lovable and kind-hearted pony beneath his big awkward looking head, except for his loving pal Betsy who tries to keep him out of trouble.

Illustrated by Jean and Anthony’s daughter Sarah, and published by Ausin Macauley Ltd, London, the book will be sold on launch day for €5.00 with all proceeds going to The Dyspraxia Association of Ireland.

The release date for the book is October 30th and it will be available through Waterstones, WH Smith, Amazon and Austin Mccauley websites.

Also on November 7th, Jean will be launching an art competition for the next 10 illustrations for “Madhead and the Railer”, the second book in the “Madhead’’ series.

The competition will be open to all children and young adults from age ten up to 24 throughout Ireland and offers an opportunity to the many talented young people of Ireland, despite their circumstances or educational qualification, to have their work published and recognised throughout Britain, Europe and America.

The briefs of the competition will be available on Jean’s website :

http://jeanmurray120.wordpress.com