BEFORE an event, national or international, cross-country courses are closed for schooling. For the Horseware Event Riders Challenge Race, those taking part are “required to take one day’s schooling around Dundalk Stadium track.”

When calls went out for entries for the Challenge, one of the first to throw his helmet into the ring was Crossgar-based Jonny Steele. In company with race rival Toni Quail, Jonny rode around Dundalk last Sunday, is returning there again tomorrow and intends revisiting the Co Louth all-weather track on Sunday next, March 25th, three days before the race.