Image © Healy Racing
Name: William Verling
Age: 19
From: Castlelyons, County Cork
How did you get involved with horses?
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.
What was the first racehorse you rode?
To be honest I can’t remember. We just got up on whatever was around.
Who has been your biggest influence in racing?
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.
Did you do anything special to celebrate your first winner?
I didn’t. There was a load of work to do when we got home.
What are the future plans for Pure Decent?
We will try and find a race for him and try to keep him sound.
Have you hunted?
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.
What other sports do you do?
I am a fairly good cross country runner finishing 3rd, 7th and 9th 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.
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.
As a bonus for talented new point-to-point riders who feature in p2p.ie series of NextGen articles, Dungar Quality Oats will sponsor a special draw where one of the riders will win a cash prize of €500. All NextGen featured jockeys who have ridden their first point-to-point winner will be automatically entered into this draw. The draw will be conducted and prize winner announced at the end of the point-to-point season.
