HUNDREDS gathered at CAFRE Enniskillen on Wednesday to attend the college’s Awards Ceremony, and to hear a keynote address by Geoff Cannon, chairman of the Equine Council for Northern Ireland.

The ECNI represents all the equine and equestrian sectors in Northern Ireland and is the liaison with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. Cannon took the opportunity to point out the many successes enjoyed by both the thoroughbred and sport horse sectors, a list that would be far too exhaustive to publish here.

“When you consider what has already been achieved and what is being achieved at present, I am absolutely convinced that there is potential for further development of our industry, providing we can harness the collective strength of private, community and the public sectors,” he said, adding “If we are to reach our potential to grow our equine enterprises, farm businesses, create employment and develop our export opportunities, the young people sitting in front of me are our most important resource.”

Paying tribute to the Head of Equine Education at CAFRE, Seamus McAlinney, Cannon told the audience: “His commitment to the staff, students, college and the equine industry is awe inspiring. He continues to expand his contacts with the wider industry, particularly across the border, always looking for avenues of potential employment or placements for students.”

The BSc (Hons) Degree in Equine Management graduates were presented with their parchments by Professor Neville McClenaghan of the Ulster University and first to be conferred was Co Donegal student Amy McGarvey. She also received the award for top student, as well as winning three prestigious prizes; the Vaughan Trust Award, the Tullyraine House Cup and the Irish Draught Horse Society Cup.

The top student in the Foundation Degree in Equine Management was Racheal Lamont from Coleraine and she too received a Vaughan Trust Award and the Erne Veterinary Group Cup. Lisburn’s Natalie Fair was another multi-award recipient, being named top student on the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horse Management, awarded a Vaughan Trust Award and presented with the Danske Bank Perpetual Trophy.

Meanwhile another top-student award was given to Aimee Donaldson for the BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Horse Care and she also took home the Thompson Cup.

A special mention must be made of graduating student Andrew McIntyre. He had the distinction of enjoying success as an owner at Royal Ascot this year when his mare Jennies Jewel won the Ascot Stakes on the opening day. He will now head to Kentucky to work with Brendan and Olive Gallagher at Frankfort Park Farm.

Alison Corr from Dromard in Co Sligo will join The Irish Field next month on an internship, while Emma McCabe from Dundalk will spend six months in Australia and another six in Tipperary thanks to a Coolmore internship. Amy McGarvey is another recipient of an internship, joining Horse Sport Ireland, while Ruairi Craven from Gorey heads to Fastnet Stud in Naas. The student council chair Jessica Finnegan from Newry is another heading stateside as she will enjoy a spell at Dell Ridge Farm in Kentucky.

In his address Seamus McAlinney noted that the first equine students graduated from Enniskillen in 1998 and since then 745 people have qualified with diplomas or university degrees. Having surveyed the graduates the college estimates that 94% of them are either directly employed in the industry or working with horses while they earn their living from another job.