Sophie Byrne riding Money Shot won the Treo Eile Thoroughbred Award at the Connolly’s RED MILLS sponsored AIRC National Hunter Trials Championships at the weekend. Sophie was the highest placed Thoroughbred in the RC 80 Championship.

The Warrington rider was the only one awarded the prize at the weekend, which included a Treo Eile rug and a training bursary.

Sophie said about her win “Thanks so much for my lovely prizes for winning the best performance of a thoroughbred in the AIRC 80 championship.I can’t guarantee the rug will stay as white! I’m really looking forward to spending the bursary on some show jumping lessons as weirdly I’m braver xc than showjumping! Penny doesn’t mind she jumps anything! She is the first thoroughbred I’ve owned .I’ve had her since she was 10 and she’s now 18 and still all go!She loves competitions and it’s a great feeling having a horse so willing who looks for and takes you to every fence .I was so excited when I got the call I had won a prize. I knew I’d gone clear but wasn’t sure about the optimum time .I just kept in a rhythm. Unfortunately I missed the prize giving as I had gone home so here is my photo shoot back home! I really would encourage people to consider thoroughbreds and not stereotype them, they are all different you might find one I enjoy as much as Penny.”

Treo Eile connects, supports and promotes second-career options for thoroughbreds when their racing careers are over.

Owners of thoroughbreds are asked to register their horses on www.treoeile.com (FOR FREE), as this data assists Treo Eile in obtaining the funding to provide these bursaries.