National Geographic: Ballad of the Irish Horse Page #3

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They're doctors,

or they're solicitors,

or they're business people now.

And they're coming back,

and they've got children.

I call all their children

my grandchildren.

I haven't got any of

my own grandchildren,

but I got a lot of grandchildren.

Use your legs. Take him on.

Now, take it easy.

Just come back, Gay,

and take it easy.

Use your legs. Good boy.

Now don't go so far back.

Now just trot into it.

Good boy. Well done.

Good man. Woops!

All right? You're fine. Next.

Shorten up your reins.

You haven't got much contact,

have you?

Come into it trotting.

For a small branch we've produced

the winning Pony Club

championship teams.

We've gone to England three time.

It is quite something.

I don't want any racing,

and I don't want anybody

going into hospital.

So for goodness sake

just take your ponies down.

You will trot down

across the field to the river.

I'll show you which way to go.

I love seeing these children

with their happy little faces.

But it just gives me

the greatest pleasure.

So a keen horsewoman

passes on the joy of riding,

and the children of yet

another generation forge new links

with their ancient Irish heritage

of horsemanship.

Racing horses was

the Celts' favorite sport.

This plain still bears

the name Curragh,

derived from

their ancient word meaning

"a place

where horse racing is held."

Keep her going now on

to the next one.

Living at the edge of the Curragh,

the Hutchinson family retains

the Celtic passion

for horse racing.

In the paddock behind their home,

Caroline, age 15,

is coached by her father, Pat.

He was an amateur jockey.

She dreams of

becoming a professional.

Whoa, lass. Whoa, lass.

That's all right.

Pony races are held

throughout Ireland

Though the jockeys are

young boys and girls,

the betting is serious business,

with part of the proceeds

going to charity.

Six to four on...

My father always had

about a hundred horses.

And he was one of the

biggest dealers in the country.

Had a couple of

thousand acres of land

and I used to ride

all our own horses.

And now, thank God,

the kids are following on.

Caroline is one of four

Hutchinson daughters

participating in

this competitive world

Mrs. Hutchinson is active too,

for the pony races are

a family affair

much like Little League Baseball.

Some of Ireland's leading jockeys

began their careers

in the pony races.

Sure, Caroline is very good.

She's courageous, she has ability,

she likes the game,

and she loves horses.

And I don't think she'll ever,

no matter what I say

or anybody else says,

she won't do anything else.

She rides to win,

and I think that's the secret.

I'd live to be a professional

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