Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2010 | Page 113

the rider

Island Life - August/September 2010
I was riding a horse with a high head
carriage, and as we were going on a
canter it put its head back and hit me in
the mouth. I had one day off to recover,
but was eating mashed potato and
soup for ages.”
After Racing School Rosie returned to
the John Dunlop yard last year, after
being awarded the Racing School’s
female trainee of the year.
Because of her height, Rosie always

accepted that she would have to move
into National Hunt rather than Flat
racing, and has now moved to the
Newmarket stables of Lucy Wadham.
“Hopefully next year I am going to get
my amateur Flat licence, for experience
more than anything else – as long as I
don’t eat too many pies,” she smiled.
“Then if things go well hopefully I
will go on to jump racing. And of
course riding in the Grand National

would be the ultimate.”
But Rosie knows there is still some
way to go before Aintree is on the
horizon. It could be another year before
she gets her amateur licence, because
there is much to learn. But she is being
well supported by Lucy Wadham, living
on site, but returning to see family and
friends on the Island whenever possible.
And she wastes no time in visiting
Will, one of the horses that have
been a big part of her life. She rode
Will through her teens, and he is now
stabled at Brickfields and has become
part of the riding school there.
Meanwhile, Nick would eventually
like to go into racehorse training. And
if Rosie fulfils her dream then it really
could be a McKee family affair on the
gallops one day. If you are interested in
a racing career then visit:
http://www.brs.org.uk

Photo: Rosie pictured in the winners enclosure with
Many a Slip at Royal Windsor 2009. Placed 2nd at 50/1

Photo: Rosie receiving the Female Trainee of
the Year 2009 at Newbury racecourse.
Photo: Rosie riding at Somerton 2002
on Will her pony.

Photo: Rosie (mounted) pictured 2008 with HRH
Princess Anne at British Racing School

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Photo: Rosie receiving the Female Trainee of the Year
2009 at Newbury racecourse

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