Hi Everyone,
Wow!! The time has gone so fast! The INS class of 2010 all graduated last night, only the 6th group from 40 years with a 100% pass rate. We were all called up in alphabetical order to recieve our certificates, and award winners were left til last. Awards were given for best porfolio of projects, farriery, best continuous assessment of yard work, the john durkan award, academic acheivement, and silver and gold medal.
The John Durkan award is sponsored by the class of 1984 in memory of their classmate John Durkan who passed away in 2003. It is a scholarship for any student to apply for who is wanting to work in the racing industry, as a trainer or jockey. The scholarship gives the winning student the chance to work with Brian Meehan (also an INS graduate) at his Manton training complex.
The night was fantastic, we had many industry legends take their time to come for the evening which was very much appreciated. We did speeches and put together a slide show of our time at the INS and gave out a few presents.
Our whole time here would not have been the same without the wonderful Sally Carroll. Sally was always there when we needed to vent, she always went in to bat for us when we wanted time off for study, she took us to the doctor when we were sick, or up for a cup of coffee if were getting homesick. She was our rock, and I think I speak on behalf of all us when I say we will be forever grateful.
I cant believe its over. Its mixed emotions now, as people are trickling out the door on the way home or to new jobs. 17 young people from all different backgrounds and experiences all chucked into a new environment to work and live together for 6 months is a risk! There are always going to be personality clashes and arguments, but we all agree now that we are one big crazy family, we fight and carry on, but at the end of the day we all love each other! We really have made friends for life and I look forward to the future seeing where we all end up. I know that we will all make an impact on the thoroughbred breeding industry as young people and leaders of the future. Although I am looking forward to coming home, I will miss the INS and I will never forget the time I spent here in 2010,
Courtney
Saturday, July 3, 2010
The Exam
Hi Everyone,
This one is just going to be short and sweet, I dont want to give away too much for next year's scholarship winner! (for now anyway!!) At the end of the course every year there is the major exam. The exam is meant to cover everything we have learnt throughout the year, from our lecturers, yard work, stud and racing yard tours, and races we have watched. And let me tell you it is ALOT! Although a few students studied throughout the year, the last few weeks was very frantic for the majority cramming everything in. We all studied individually, and then once we were starting to get a grip on things we started doing little group studys, testing each other on everything from race winners to the oestrus cycle. As everyone had different strong points it was a great way to retain things. I for one was able to remember from memory 28 major race winners, their sire, dam, grandsire and granddam, the race distance (in furlongs, meters and miles), where the race is held, the trainer and the jockey. For me, that was amazing, as I have never had the head for that sort of stuff, its more a boy thing!!
The exam itself was set for 11am on the last Saturday morning. There were 70 multiple choice questions which we had an hour to answer. It covered INS history, racing, breeding, pasture managment, foal care, nutrition, digestive system and upper respiratory system.
Hope you're all well
Courtney
This one is just going to be short and sweet, I dont want to give away too much for next year's scholarship winner! (for now anyway!!) At the end of the course every year there is the major exam. The exam is meant to cover everything we have learnt throughout the year, from our lecturers, yard work, stud and racing yard tours, and races we have watched. And let me tell you it is ALOT! Although a few students studied throughout the year, the last few weeks was very frantic for the majority cramming everything in. We all studied individually, and then once we were starting to get a grip on things we started doing little group studys, testing each other on everything from race winners to the oestrus cycle. As everyone had different strong points it was a great way to retain things. I for one was able to remember from memory 28 major race winners, their sire, dam, grandsire and granddam, the race distance (in furlongs, meters and miles), where the race is held, the trainer and the jockey. For me, that was amazing, as I have never had the head for that sort of stuff, its more a boy thing!!
The exam itself was set for 11am on the last Saturday morning. There were 70 multiple choice questions which we had an hour to answer. It covered INS history, racing, breeding, pasture managment, foal care, nutrition, digestive system and upper respiratory system.
Hope you're all well
Courtney
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