Mackey Bursary proves another big hit with the riders
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The second session in the 2009 Mackey Ireland Young Rider Training Bursary took place on Wednesday in Doyle’s Equestrian Centre in Carlow.
Ten of Ireland’s top Young Riders took centre stage again with Cameron Hanley providing the instruction for the lucky participants.
Hanley, who was selected from the strength of his 2009 results, again provided some priceless advice to those who took part. Again, the focus of the training was to give riders an insight into what is needed to train a horse to International standard along with teaching the rider about balance and rhythm.
The morning session saw a common target to the training that took place in December. Jumping a Grid down the centre, Hanley varied the distances between the grid and poles following bounces. Making riders use their arena and also adding strides was paramount to the exercise.
Following on from this, the afternoon session was varied in Hanley’s approach taking in related distances, a double and ‘’dog legs’’ all with poles on the ground a set distance after. Each time the exercise was varied in the different lines taken and the number of strides put in after the fence.
Yet again the Mackey Ireland Young Rider Bursary has proved a major success and it is hoped that there will be a lot of success coming from the 10 Mackey Ireland Riders who took part. Cameron Hanley also showed his impression of the riders by saying: ‘’The idea of it is great and big thanks to Mackey Ireland for supporting the Young Riders. I’m very happy with what I saw and I was impressed in the change in the riders in their attitude and professionalism was very encouraging between the two clinics.’’
The Mackey Ireland Young Rider Bursary has been a major success over its two years in existence. Last year proved to be a very successful Clinic with Billy Twomey with Conor Drain and Robert Harrison going on to success at Grand Prix Level.
Looking back on the Clinics taking with Cameron Hanley, there is sure to be a lot more success coming from the ‘’Mackey Riders’’ in 2010 and for the years to come.