GALWAY Community College (GCC) has a long tradition of delivering Post Leaving Certificate and Further Education courses in the heart of Galway city and have been running equine related courses for the past two years.

Course Coordinator Riona Finn has a long family tradition in producing horses and ponies and recognised the need for an equine course in the west of Ireland.

Finn combined her experience as a teacher with Galway Roscommon Education Training Board (GRETB) with the support of the College Principal Brian Melia to established the QQI Level 5 and 6 Equine courses.

Demand exceeded places available this year, so GCC has put the resources in place to deliver both Level 5 and 6 for September 2019/20.

The college uses its extensive facilities to deliver the academic elements of the course.

The Sports Department fitness test the Equine student’s and physical activity is incorporated into their weekly timetable. The module Manual and Computerised Accounts is being introduced into 2019/20 both at QQI Level 5 and 6.

The courses uses various equine facilities in the county. Ralph Conroy is heavily involved in the practicals.

Thomas O’ Brien of Galway Equestrian Centre, a 2018 graduate of the course will also be involved in the delivery this year.

Show jumping and the identification and production of young horses is at the core of this course.

Speaking about the course Finn said: “We seem to have tapped into a niche market here in GCC. All modules are geared around the practical side of the equine business but especially the show jumping modules and identifying and producing young horses.”

Immediately after Millstreet charity show in October, GCC Equine students availed of an Erasmus project to Vilamoura Champions tour in Portugal.

The learning opportunities, contacts and friendships developed over those two weeks will remain with the students forever. GCC put in a huge effort to secure funding for two years which means it will be possible for students to travel to Vilamoura again in autumn 2019. Finn is already in the process of seeking funding for another group to get a two-week training camp in an international yard in Holland.

For more information visit the GCC website, www.galwaycc.ie or on social media @gccfurthered.