21st November 2005;  it must have been the coldest day of the month, this was our first day to go to work, out to the trainers in the heart of Irish Racing in the Curragh.  21 students left RACE at 6.00 am on that frosty morning to work for trainers all over the Curragh.  This was the start of the early mornings and the hard work was just about to begin.

I was sent out to a trainer called "Ken J Condon" and was due to start work on my first day at 7.00 am.  The mini-bus dropped me off at the bottom of the gate and I had to find my way to the yard, up the long dark avenue, trees blowing and horses running wild in the fields at each side.  I was nervous and had unbelievable butterflies in my stomach.  I just couldn’t wait to get settled in at the yard.

I got to the yard and met the head lad, Darren, straight away. We were introduced and he assigned me to my first job: taking temperatures.  There were over twenty horses to be checked this morning before first lot, and this wasn’t a very pleasant first job!

When all the other staff arrived at the yard, temperatures finished, we got tacked up and pulled out just after 7.30 am for my first experience of riding racehorses on the Fox Covert, a 6 furlong, woodchip, gallop not far from the yard.  On my first day I rode out two lots, both on the Fox Covert.  Afterwards, I was asked to hay the horses and help change the walker, while the other lads rode out the yearlings.  I finished at 12.45, was collected at the yard and brought back to R.A.C.E for lunch at 1.30pm.

After my first day I was very tired but had a great day at work.  In the beginning I was really nervous but was soon relaxed and brought down to earth by the other lads who also ride out here.  Over the week I became more used to the routine of the yard, I was getting used to the surroundings and getting confidence in the jobs I was doing.  Now after four weeks I have relaxed at work and enjoy it every morning.  The early mornings were hard to get used to, but now getting up early is second nature.

Classes in the evenings are very tiring, and we're in bed every night by 10.30pm.