Next Gen | William Verling

 

My grandfather Garry trained horses here. My uncle Pat trained Sabadilla to win the Galway Hurdle in 2003. So there has always been horses around.

 

To be honest I can’t remember. We just got up on whatever was around.

 

My uncle Pat rode as an amateur and for a long time as a professional. I listen to what he has to say. He is well able to give out.

 

I didn’t. There was a load of work to do when we got home.

 

We will try and find a race for him and try to keep him sound.

 

 

 

 

I have hunted with the local packs, Coolnakilla Harriers and the Conna Harriers. Tommy and Martin Hurley of the Conna’s are as good hunting men as you will ever find.

 

I am a fairly good cross country runner finishing 3^rd, 7^th and 9^th in All Irelands. Cross Country running is brutal with no hiding place, but it does give you an idea of what the horse is going through and how tactics might affect them.

 

I have represented Ireland at Tetrathlon. Tetrathlon involves running, swimming, shooting and riding a 1.15/1.10 meter cross country course. I have won the UK International for the last three years.

Last year, competitors came from Australia, New Zealand, USA and England, Scotland and Wales. Charlie Browne competed for Great Britain in Pentathlon at the last Olympics in Paris so the standard is high. The training you get with Tetrathlon and Eventing has definitely made me a better rider.