A Different Kind Of Student Internship: Paid Summer Work At The Heart Of The Horse Racing Industry

Horse racing is a very significant part of Ireland's rich and diverse sporting history. We even invented the point-to-point! Over 250 years ago, the first steeplechase was run across 4.5 miles of walls, ditches and hedges, between two church steeples in Co. Cork (point to point... get it?). Today, the Irish breed, train and race some of the best racehorses in the world.

There's a strong tradition of student involvement in the sport and university societies often organise all-inclusive trips to big race days. Keep your eye out for the Horse Racing society on your college campus and get involved, or just tag along for a big day out. There are a number of Student Race Days coming up in the next few weeks: Thursday 26th March in Cork, Wednesday 15th April in Leopardstown and Wednesday 15th & Thursday 16th April in Limerick. As Hector would say, "Let yourself GOOOOO!"

For those of you who've already been bitten by the racing bug, Horse Racing Ireland is offering the opportunity to compete for five student internships for summer 2015! Placements will be made in each of the four HRI racecourses - Fairyhouse, Navan, Leopardstown and Tipperary - as well as a single position in their headquarters in Newbridge, co. Kildare. The programme is 10-12 weeks long, beginning at the end of May 2015, and participants will be asked to keep a blog, documenting their experiences. An interest in horse racing is encouraged, but applications will be accepted from students in any year of any course. The duties and responsibilities of successful applicants will be many and varied, giving interns broad exposure to the ins and outs of the sport and to the business side of horse racing too.

For information about Horse Racing Ireland or to find out more about the sport in general, check out www.goracing.ie. If you're interested in applying for this unique and exciting opportunity, download an application form from here and send it to the address below (via post or email), along with your CV and a cover letter, before 9th March 2015. Suitable candidates will be called for interview and successful applicants will receive a weekly payment for their participation in the programme. Best of luck!

Applications should be sent to:
Kate O'Sullivan
Marketing Department
Horse Racing Ireland
Ballymany
The Curragh
Co. Kildare

Or by email: kosullivan@hri.ie