Course News February 15th – 21st, 2010
First Year Trainees
In Kentucky, the trainees completed the second week of their practical training rotations. The trainees spend their mornings individually or in pairs either working with mares and foals, assisting with veterinary work, working with horses in training at Keeneland or gaining office experience at Gainsborough and Jonabell Farms. Each trainee also spends two weeks on night foal watch from 6pm to 5am. After each busy morning, lectures and visits take place in the afternoons. This week their first visit was to Vinery Stud, where they managed to see the stallions and the training barn despite the poor weather conditions. Later in the week they saw the stallions and the covering shed at Shadwell Farm. A scheduled visit to Gainesway Farm had to be cancelled due to the snow.
Having commenced their Equine Nutrition Module at the University of Kentucky in January, the trainees completed their fifth lecture on the topic this Tuesday. In other lectures this week they discussed Pasture Management with Roger Allman, had a talk with Dr. Rathgeber on Equine Acupuncture and learned about identifying Lameness with Dr. Bramlage at the Rood & Riddle Veterinary hospital. Also this week they commenced the first of a series of foal and yearling inspections at Stonerside and Gainsborough Farms with John Williams and Michael Banahan to discuss and develop their eye for conformation.
Second Year Trainees
Clodagh Kavanagh met with the trainees in Dubai this week and completed their individual reviews. Clodagh also met with the faculty of the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, Darley Flying Start Coordinator, Ajay Anne, and the Dubai trainers with whom the trainees are completing work placements.
The trainees completed week six of their I.T., Finance, Marketing and Human Resource Management modules at the Emirates Academy. In addition to these modules they are currently shadowing the ERA stewards at Meydan each Thursday evening. On Tuesday afternoon the trainees visited Hatta Farm with Brenda Cook. Similar to the practical training rotations in the USA, in Dubai the trainees are spending their mornings on placements with a number of Dubai trainers. Each trainee will spend five weeks at each of two different trainers’ facilities.
Gary King and Mick Buckley took part in the Annual Dubai Gaelic Tournament on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th February. Their 9-a-side team, which also included trainer John Hyde and his Irish assistant, Matty Enright, won all four games on the first day, ensuring them a place in the semi final. The following day the team stormed through the semi and then the final to secure the tournament win! Well done Mick and Gary!