Large Demand for Junior Academy Training Days

Large Demand for Junior Academy Training Days

This Saturday, May 5, will see the conclusion of the Junior Academy training days for 2018.

The Junior Academy, hosted by RACE and fully funded by Horse Racing Ireland’s CARE department, provided 10 days training for the next generation of riders in Ireland with over 100 riders aged between 10 and 16 taking part.

The programme is open to all young riders and is designed to accommodate all aspiring young jockeys from near beginners up to more experienced pony club and pony race riders. Riders are grouped by their age and experience so that all groups are of a similar level of ability.

In addition to receiving practical riding training and learning about the care of racehorses, the students are introduced to the concept of the Jockey Pathway Program and enjoyed sessions with some of the pathway providers including Dr Ciara Losty on the introduction to sports psychology, dietitian Gillian O’Loughlin on healthy eating and fun fitness with strength and conditioning coach, Wayne Middleton. 

Junior Academy Training Day - fun fitness and advice with strength and conditioning coach, Wayne Middleton
Junior Academy Training Day - fun fitness and advice with strength and conditioning coach, Wayne Middleton

Patrick Ryan, Careers and Racing Education Department, HRI, said: "We were thrilled with the uptake this year which demonstrates the level of interest in this type of training programme, the quality of the riders on show over the last number of weeks certainly bodes well for the future.

The programme also had a social inclusion aspect through ongoing engagement with community projects working in disadvantaged areas around the country and this is an area we intend to further develop for all CARE funded programmes"

Registration to the Junior Academy is accepted all year around.
Check out www.workinracing.ie/education/care-training-programmes/ for further details.

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