Former leading jockey and TV star, Nina Carberry faced a myriad of questions at the annual launch of the Laytown Races colouring competition at Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, National School, on Tuesday 20th June.
The school was delighted to host Nina Carberry for two question and answer sessions with 4th, 5th and 6th classes. Pupils kept Nina on her toes with a barrage of questions concerning everything from her horse racing career, to Dancing With The Stars and Ireland’s Fittest Family.
Thankfully the weather held up and with such large number of pupils eager to meet the retired jockey, organisers were fortunate to be able to have the question and answer sessions outside in the sun.
Nina Carberry and Jessica Cahalan, Manager of Laytown Races, received the warmest of welcomes from the Principal Bláithin Maguire, Marie D’Arcy, the 6th class teacher, and other staff and pupils. Widely regarded as one of the greatest amateur riders of all time, Nina enjoyed a terrific near 17-year career in the saddle.
Nina Carberry, commented. “The pupils were delighted to get an insight into what Davy Fitzgerald, who I coach alongside on Ireland’s Fittest Family, is really like. As with a lot of young kids, they were interested in finding out things like my worst injury as a jockey. I was also asked how nerve wracking it was to dance on live TV. Terrifying was my answer! Give me Grand National fences any day over dancing in-front of the nation.”
Students from Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, will have the chance to enter a racing themed colouring competition, with all of the entries to be displayed once again at the Laytown Races, on Tuesday, 12th September. Entries will be judged on three age categories
The Laytown Race Committee will sponsor gift cards for each category as follows: first prize €50, second prize €30 and €20 for third prize plus a number of highly commended prizes to be won.
“Having beautiful and colourful artwork on show at the Laytown Races adds a lovely dimension to the race meeting and we are looking forward to another fabulous display of talent this year. It is also nice for the local children to see everyone admiring their talents when they come along to races, which is free for children under 16 when accompanied by an adult,” said Laytown Races Manager, Jessica Cahalan.
Teacher Marie D’Arcy, commented: “The children and teachers really enjoyed the visit and learned so much from Nina. It was our pleasure to host such a fantastic sportswoman in our school.”
