TERRY Boon, dressage and cross-country coach to the junior eventing squad, may already be regretting his recent move to Co Antrim as, unbeknownst to himself, he was signed up for tomorrow’s Katie Nugent Duathlon at Ballinlough Castle.

Horse Sport Ireland’s high performance junior eventing team manager Debbie Byrne took part in the Duathlon two years ago as did Katrina Mackie and the pair, who are taking on the challenge again, were convinced that Boon would enjoy the experience as much as they did. “We know he runs a bit,” said Debbie, “but we’re not sure if he can ride a bike without stabilisers!”

Also enlisted for the Duathlon is the junior team veterinary surgeon, J.P. King, who works with Marcus Swail at EquiVet Ireland in Co Kildare. The Castlewellan native, who is competing in the Dublin Marathon on Bank Holiday Monday, October 26th, is taking part in the team event at Ballinlough Castle, he doing the running while Joanne Hepburn takes to the bike.

Boon, Byrne and Mackie are due to be joined at the starting line tomorrow by Northern Region stalwarts Debbie McNeill and Paula Jewiss. Not all are looking forward to their early morning wake-up call before leaving for Co Westmeath, the start time of the Duathlon having been brought forward to 10.30am to accommodate Ireland’s Rugby World Cup match against Argentina.

The organisers have arranged for TV screens on site to show the quarter final match from Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium and are encouraging people to travel to Ballinlough Castle to support the fund and also enjoy the rugby.