Sisters galloping into arms of Great Britain

By Ruth Loney
newsdesk@belfasttelegraph.co.uk

25 June 2005
Two of Northern Ireland's leading young international endurance riders, Helen (15) and Suzanne (19) Perry, from Dromore, have defected from the Irish team to ride for Great Britain.

The sisters, the daughters of Ken and Sharon Perry have been successful members of the Irish endurance squad but have now received their licences and in future will be competing for Great Britain.

Suzanne said that although it would be more difficult to qualify for events because of the higher class of rider, she hoped the change would mean they had more support and better competition opportunities.

The girls are aiming to represent Britain at the International Championships later this year at Bahrain. Both are consistent on the world circuit with Suzanne competing regularly in the Middle East and having sold two of her Arab horses to the defence minister Sheik Mohammed Al Maktoum of Dubai.

The Perry family run an extensive Arab breeding programme at Dromore where their international endurance horses are kept fit in a daily routine by Suzanne and her mother Sharon who are full-time in the sport.

Helen has had particular success in the last few weeks having had two major wins in England.

Last weekend Helen, in 28 degrees heat won the three-star 122km endurance race in Cirencester with her stallion Metallica. This was a hectic finish where Helen galloped to the last.

Recently Helen also won the international young riders 120km at Dukeries, Sherwood Forest in Nottingham with Wesam. Suzanne was also successful and won the 160km race with her Arab Irish draught cross pony Merry Dancer. The sisters also won the award for best condition of their animals.

Mrs Perry, said: "The girls are delighted to have both received their licences and are now aiming towards European and world championship selection. Their successes in England have been well noted by selectors and they are looking forward to serious competition."

Suzanne said: "We have been thinking about changing to Great Britain for some time and are both delighted to have received our FEI licences to compete."