Name: Kieva Hynes
Age: 21
From: Adamstown, Wexford
It was a red-letter day for Wexford native Kieva Hynes as she registered her first success in a point-to-point at Inchydoney on Sunday. Kieva partnered Local Rogue to victory for Sean Doyle.
How did you get started with horses?
I started to have riding lessons when I was about eight years old and I was in the riding school up until I went to RACE which was just after I had finished my leaving cert. I didn’t have ponies of my own, but I did a bit of show jumping and I rode a few ponies for the locals.
How did you start riding out racehorses?
I had ridden a few breakers growing up but I hadn’t ridden out racehorses until I went to RACE. My cousin suggested I go and try it out to see how I got on.
Did you always want to take out your Qualified Riders License?
I had always wanted to be a jockey but I didn’t think I could ever be one!
I wanted to take out a jumps licence originally as I was in Paul Nolan’s, but a point-to-pointer came up for sale so I bought him and decided to give it a go on the point-to-point circuit.
I’ve ridden in a few point-to-point bumpers too.
Who are you currently working or riding out for?
I’m working for Paul Nolan full time, I’m also riding out for Sean Doyle whenever I get the chance.
You must have been delighted to get your first winner on the board, can you tell me a bit more about it?
It was actually through Pat O’Sullivan and Sue O’Gormon that I picked up the ride on Local Rogue yesterday, luckily it worked out well!
I was absolutely thrilled to get the first winner on the board, but I actually fell off after the line! I had lost one of my irons jumping the second last and I kicked out the other iron then and held on tight to get over the finish line, luckily I managed to stay on!
I had always dreamed of getting the chance to ride in a point-to-point, then when I got my first ride then I was thinking I’d only love to finish in a point-to-point.
It still hasn’t sunk in yet that I rode my first winner!
Were your family there to there to see you ride your first winner?
No, unfortunately, they weren’t there to see it but they were just thrilled for me!
Pat and Sue were there to see me ride my first winner, they had brought the horse down.
Who is your biggest influence in racing?
Rachael Blackmore, but the likes of Katie Walsh and Nina Carberry have been very influential too.
Any jockeys that you aspire to?
Jamie Codd, a fellow Wexford native!
Have you any ambitions for next season?
To just try and get as many rides as I can really.
I’d love to ride a winner on my own horse that would be the aim.
I’ll concentrate on riding on the point-to-point circuit again next season.
Have you any interests outside of racing?
I’m currently still in college studying accounting in the evenings after work so that takes up most of my time.
Have you any plans for the summer ahead?
I rode out for Jim Bolger last summer, but I have exams coming up so I’ll concentrate on them and I’ll stay at Paul Nolan’s for the summer this year.
