Young Laois horserider needs donations for American World Cup
A young Laois horserider has launched a fundraiser so she can afford to compete at the American World Cup.
Hannah McGovern, 13, is hoping to represent Ireland at the Youth World Cup in Texas in 2023.
She caught the bug of horseriding on a daytrip to Fossey Mountain Springs Ranch in Timahoe.
With her team of seven, they need to raise some €24,000 and days into her fundraiser, supporters have backed Hannah to the tune of over €1,000.
She explains all about her World Cup hopes.
"I have loved horses for as long as I can remember. It all started when I was 5 at a pony camp and just loved being around the horses and learning more about them.
"When I was about 7 my dad took me to Fossey Mountain Ranch, which is a western riding school. Whilst at Fossey Mountain Springs Ranch I have learnt many different riding disciplines from Ranch, Reining, Cutting and Trail, and now have my horse ‘Little Rain’ there.
"She is beautiful with 1 blue 1 brown eye, and is fast and full of attitude. I ride her mainly on trails and the arena, but recently I have started riding ‘Comanche’.
"He is the Ranch's Quarter Horse Stallion and well trained in all western disciplines. I will be the youngest member of the team and am so excited for this journey that lies ahead, I am looking forward to the challenge, the learning and the experience. I am going to give it everything I have," Hannah said.
This year she has the opportunity to represent Ireland at the Youth World Cup.
The American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup is an educational, leadership and competition-based event for AQHA youth members from around the world. This international event is hosted every two years by a different country. This event hosts teams from 16 to 21 nations around the world.
"It is unique because competing Youth World Cup team members do not show their horses, as they are provided by the host country, which provides each team's horses for clinics and competition," she explains.
The Youth World Cup this year is being held in Bryan/College Station, Texas, from June 29 to July 8, 2023.
"As a team we need to raise around €24,000 between 7 of us," she said.
The entire cost will be €34,300 but the team members will themselves contribute a total of €10,500 between them towards that.
It leaves a deficit of €23,800 that needs to be fundraised.
Hannah breaks down the full costs as follows: AQHA YWC charge for Team, Coach, and Manager €13600 (This includes, Accommodation, Food, Transfers, Competition, Clinics, Tuition, and Insurance), Travel Costs €1400pp x9 totalling €12600, Kit Show Clothes €450pp x7 totalling €3150, and training in the UK €550pp x9 € 4950.00.
"Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and if you do decide to support me it is greatly appreciated, also please leave either an email address or a mobile number and I will forward you our progress, and let you know how we do," she says on her fundraiser page called Money to be raised for Youth World Cup on gofundme.com