A Future Star for Ireland Gains Valuable Experience

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Extract from article in โ€œ Horse and Houndโ€ weekly magazine (August) โ€“

The door opened for upcoming Irish para star Kate Reilly to claim her first international win, with Hadena in the grade III freestyle. The nine-year-old Cashmir mare and 13-year-old Katie only made their competitive debut in December, stepping up to ride for Ireland at their first international at Hartpury in July.

โ€œWe only got her last year, and sheโ€™s helped me come on a lot. I never thought Iโ€™d win something as big as this,โ€ said Katie, who has cerebral palsy.

โ€œSheโ€™s been such a genuine mare,โ€ added Katieโ€™s mother Karen. โ€œJudy Reynolds and Heike Holstein both tried her and said she would be perfect for paraโ€.

There were double celebrations due, with Katie receiving news that the night before the show that she obtained GCSEโ€™s in English and maths, three years early. โ€œKatie is home-schooled โ€“ we made the decision before lock-down because of her fatigue levels,โ€ explained Karen. โ€œWe have restructured her whole day around riding and we have such a good balance now.โ€

Bishop Burton

Story by Horse & Hound

August 2021