EARLIER this year, the Irish Pony Club was selected to receive the Rowan’s Gift Equestrian Bursary, established by Fiona Moeller out of respect and tribute to her dear friends and neighbours’ late granddaughter .

Rowan, a young Canadian teenager, was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. In life, this beautiful young woman was a typical teen, full of energy and adventure with a love of animals and travel, wanting to be involved in everything. It was during this time that Fiona, an English equestrian coach of over 35 years experience, decided to act.

Fiona Moeller felt that “when you witness the senseless tragic loss of a young life, you have to do something. For me, it was to help others succeed. Live their lives to the fullest and take every opportunity that comes their way. I realised I was in a position to help them do that. To motivate.”

Knowing that Rowan would have loved to do this too, Moeller set up Rowan’s Gift Bursary which provides funds to create opportunities for any young individual, to pursue their passions and dreams.

International event rider Olympian Joseph Murphy assisted in Moeller’s search to find a suitable Irish organisation to receive the 2019 bursary.

In the end, they decided that the Irish Pony Club would be awarded the Rowan’s Gift Equestrian Bursary for 2019. Joseph and Jill Murphy subsequently decided to add to the award for the successful winner of the Rowan’s Gift Bursary by offering equestrian tuition with Joseph to the value of €500.

After much consideration, the Irish Pony Club, in collaboration with Fiona Moeller, decided to ensure that this generous bursary be used to provide an opportunity for an Irish Pony Club member to participate in equestrian activities not normally available to them. The goal being for the member to have fun, meet new friends, enjoy and experience new things.

Irish Pony Club executive chairperson, Barbara Micks, expressed her thanks and gratitude to Fiona Moeller and the Murphys.

“It was with appreciation that we received the news earlier this year that the Irish Pony Club would receive the 2019 Rowan’s Gift Bursary.

“ This bursary is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It has been a pleasure to partner with Fiona, Joseph and Jill on this project. Their generosity will allow the winner of this bursary to access equestrian experiences and resources unavailable to them previously.”

Nominations for this award were requested from the District Commissioners of all 55 Branches of the Irish Pony Club. It was decided that Rebecca Geary from the West Waterford Hunt Branch would receive the 2019 bursary and tuition with Joseph Murphy. Rebecca (16) is a very worthy winner. She joined West Waterford Hunt Branch in 2012 and recently passed her B Test.

Rebecca found out that she had won the bursary just as she was leaving a GAA pitch following a Ladies Football match. She was surprised to spot her District Commissioner Orla Nicholson waiting for her. There was great excitement when it was announced Rebecca had been chosen to win this fantastic bursary.

A thrilled Rebecca said: “I am very grateful to Fiona and Rowan’s family for this wonderful opportunity. Horses play a huge part in my life. I have been riding for as long as I can remember but I really got into it at the age of six when I started hunting with my local hunt, Killeagh Harriers. I have now been hunting for over a decade and whipping in alongside my father, the huntsman of Killeagh Harriers for four years.

“I first joined the West Waterford Hunt Branch at the age of eight. It was one of the best decisions of my life so far. I have made so many lifelong friends and had amazing instructors. The pony club is also where I met my friend and mentor Marie Hennessy.

“She has helped me from the beginning and this year, she helped me pass the B Test. I am truly honoured to have won this bursary and I am grateful to the Irish Pony Club, Fiona Moeller, Joseph and Jill Murphy.”

West Waterford Hunt Branch were delighted that their member, Rebecca Geary won the Rowan’s Gift Bursary. Nicholson commented: “It was a huge honour and Rebecca was so thrilled when given the news. Rebecca got her B Test this year and she has been bringing on her own horse applying all the skills that she has learned to date. This bursary will provide Rebecca with the opportunity to receive coaching to further improve her horsemanship skills. A huge ‘thank you’ to Rowan’s Gift Bursary and the Irish Pony Club for this award.”

Value of friendship

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Branches who submitted nominations. We would also like to acknowledge the contribution of Joseph and Jill Murphy to this project. They have been extremely helpful throughout the process and we are looking forward to hearing about Rebecca’s progress and tuition.Finally, this project began in memory of Rowan, a young, vibrant and courageous Canadian girl who bravely battled and sadly lost her life to a very rare form of cancer. Fiona’s tribute to Rowan reminds us of the value of life and friends. This bursary will open new doors for Rebecca and allow her to further her equestrian development and knowledge.

“We are very grateful to Rowan’s family for sharing her story with us. It will resonate with many people throughout the pony club.

“In the aftermath of such a tragic loss, Fiona took a positive and proactive method of ensuring that Rowan will never be forgotten and that her memory will touch lives across the world. We are very thankful that Fiona chose the Irish Pony Club. It has been a pleasure to work with her and we look forward to continuing the relationship,” said Irish Pony Club spokesperson Tara Warren.