In a West Cork Minute - Fionnuala Solomon

Once mankind cracks nuclear fusion and uses it as a source of power, it’s gonna change the world, explains theoretical physics student and TREC competitor Fionnuala​ ​Solomon

What’s the one thing you can’t live without? This is very cheesy but probably Chester, my pony. He’s been my everything for eight years and this year he is coming up to Dublin for the academic year. He’s staying only an hour bus journey away! 

What would I find in your fridge right now? Loads of food that I don’t own! (note to self: go shopping).

Name one element your sport could/should take from another? I play ultimate frisbee in college and one thing I love about this sport is the spirit of the game aspect. This isn’t found in any other sport. I don’t know how TREC could incorporate it but that’s an element I think most sports should take from ultimate. 

What do you think about when you’re alone in your car? Not much actually, I’m more concentrated on the driving. Still a bit of a newbie when it comes to driving and I’m not great at multi-tasking. 

Who has been the biggest influence on your sporting career? My riding instructor, Julia White. She has been teaching Chester and I since only a week after we got him. Any issue we have ever had has been promptly solved by this wonderful lady. 

Pick two celebrities to be your parents: Brian Cox and Michelle Obama.

What do you think cats dream of? Other cats. 

If you could try any other sport for one day what would it be? Kite surfing. 

If you joined a circus, what would you perform? A show with majestic horses rearing and turning on command. Chester can bow on command but he’s not quite so majestic. 

If you could get rid of one county in Ireland what would it be and why? Waterford, because my friend from there is sitting next to me. It’s fun annoying her! 

What would you do if you found a penguin in your freezer? Call the local zoo, and let them know. Then take lots of pictures and then harass my housemates to get to the bottom of why there is a penguin in the freezer. 

Before we let you go, teach us something that we don’t know: Once we crack nuclear fusion and can have it as a source of power. It’s gonna change the world.

Fionnuala​ ​Solomon (​20)​ from Coolcaha​, ​Ballydehob​ ​represented Ireland at the recent TREC Young Riders’ European Championships in France where she finished 22nd overall. TREC is an equestrian discipline which was originally developed in France in the 1970s to improve the skills of trekking guides and horses.