WHILE it was not the typical graduation ceremony enjoyed by previous classes, a low-key event was held at the Osborne Centre to acknowledge the hard work and dedication that the class of 2020 put in over the last six months at the Irish National Stud.
It has been an unusual few month for the students who despite not getting many opportunities to go racing or avail of industry site tours, managed to gain in-depth knowledge of the thoroughbred industry through their practical training and blended learning experience.
Honours
All 27 graduates were presented with the INS diploma, with 15 students achieving honours. Individual awards were presented to the winners of the following categories.
The Irish Field Blue Hen Award was presented by Leo Powell and the winner Hannah Faber from Gloucestershire, England was presented with a cheque for €250 and a trophy for her article which will be published in The Irish Field in the coming weeks.
The John Durkan Award, generously sponsored by the class of 1984, was awarded to Anna Fairbank, Yorkshire, England. Anna has a keen interest in training and is looking forwarded to taking her placement with former course graduate, trainer Brian Meehan.
The INS Jonathan Fitzpatrick Internship was awarded to Inés Goupil de Bouille from France. Sharon Fitzpatrick presented the award to Inés who will commence her internship with the INS in August.
First place in the veterinary exam went to Hannah Airey, from New Zealand; Aaron Boland, from Kildare, earned first place in the CEO exam; Constance Vincent, from France, scored first place for the portfolio of assignments; and Sean Finnan, from Tipperary, took first place in the continuous assessment module.
The silver medal for second place overall was awarded to Charles Harris, England, and the gold medal winner for first place overall was awarded to Aaron Boland, Kildare, Ireland.
Cathal Beale, chief executive officer:, said: “In a strange time for everyone the students have excelled themselves throughout and faced the challenges head on. We wish them all every success for the future.”
Anne Channon, education development manager, commented: “We would like to take this opportunity to commend the students, their work ethic and dedication has been outstanding this year. We would like to wish them the very best as they move on to their next adventure and I am confident that each and every one of them will have successful careers in the thoroughbred industry.”
Class of 2020
Hannah Airey, NZTBA scholarship recipient (New Zealand), Aaron Boland, (Ireland), David Burke (Ireland), Daniel Byrne (Ireland), Honor Clinch (UK), Justine de Lageneste (France), Mike Doleuze (France), Megan Dreeling (Ireland), Hannah Faber (UK), Anna Fairbank (UK), Inés Goupil de Bouille (France), Sean Finnan (Ireland), Ben Hanley (Ireland), Charles Harris (UK), Michaela Kemp (Canada), Grace Kerr (Ireland), Laura McCrann (Ireland), Laura McNabb, NZTBA scholarship recipient (New Zealand), Tom Murphy (Ireland), Ross O’Mahony (Ireland), Stephanie Putsch (Germany), Brittany Reinhardt (South Africa), Ben Swinburn (UK), Rachel Thompson, HTBA scholarship recipient (Australia), Stuart Tyrell (Ireland), Constance Vincent (France), Sydnie Willett (America).
Irish students in Newmarket
TWO Irish students were among the class of 2020 which graduated with diplomas from the National Stud in Newmarket last week.
Courtnay Benton (18) is from Wexford and her grandfather Martin owns Haperstown Stud. She successfully applied for the Duke of Roxburghe Internship and will be staying with the stud for another year, doing do the sales season with the team and then going into the office from January, supporting the stud office and nominations teams throughout the season.
Rhiannon Loughran (20) from Co Tyrone is keen to pursue a career in racing and is joining David Elsworth’s team at the end of July.