IRISH Pony Club members Áine McLoughlin (Longford Branch) and Susie Doyle (Golden Vale), who won training bursaries at the IPC show jumping Classic in Coilog last September, have written the following report for The Irish Field on the week’s coaching they recently received at the Army Equitation School in McKee Barracks, Dublin.

“We are extremely grateful to everyone in the Irish Pony Club and the Army Equitation School for the wonderful opportunity of receiving this top-quality training,” said the pair. “We had a thoroughly enjoyable and beneficial week. During our stay, we followed the rules of the Army Equitation School, our stables and area were inspected daily – to ensure that we were maintaining the immaculate condition of the rest of the yard – and we were also expected to be on time for everything.”

WE arrived at McKee Barracks on Sunday afternoon to be greeted by Mr Syl Ryan, the Irish Pony Club’s chairman of show jumping. We were welcomed to the Army Equitation School by Lt Jennifer Larkin who gave us our timetable for the week. We stabled our horses and were given an insight into what we would be doing for the following five days.

On Monday, we arrived at 7.30am and met Cpl Richie Kearney who guided us throughout the week. He started by showing us the various facilities at the School. Comdt Sharon Crean filled us in on the history of the School and its aim to promote the Irish-bred competition horse. We then had a flatwork lesson with Comdt Crean in which she focused on improving our position.

After lunch, Cpl Kearney led us through the daily routine in the School. Later that evening, we did grid work with Comdt Crean. This was very beneficial as we could use the grid to help us be in more control of our horses, work on our approach and allowed us to focus on our jumping position.

On Tuesday morning, we discussed course design with Lt Larkin. She instructed us on how to walk our distances correctly and gave us tips on how to ride different lines. Following on from this, we had another flatwork lesson with Comdt Crean. We worked on our aids and how to use them effectively.

After lunch, we discussed feeding with Cpl Kearney. Later, we had a jumping lesson with Comdt Crean. We focused on being able to see our stride in a distance and to execute this as seamlessly as possible.

On Wednesday, we had a canter poles demonstration, followed by a canter poles lesson from Lt David Power. We practiced riding different lines and then adding and omitting strides from a distance, whilst maintaining a rhythm, to improve our eye. We became more aware of the benefit of canter poles. After lunch, we discussed and went lunging with Cpl Kearney.

That afternoon, we discussed how to treat the sick horse and injuries and we visited Lisadell Veterinary Hospital. We were given a tour of the hospital and learned of the numerous procedures carried out in the hospital. We were told how they diagnose the different horses based on what they’re told by the owners. We saw one horse in surgery and others in recovery. We were shown the different instruments and machines used by the veterinary surgeons and were informed about their purpose.

On Thursday morning, we watched the riding officers getting a flatwork lesson from Heike Holstein. This was interesting to see as we witnessed different movements being conducted very well. We then had a lesson with Capt Geoff Curran. We focused on lateral movement and the aids used for the different movements.

After lunch, we discussed travelling horses with Cpl Kearney. He told us about all the regulations when travelling abroad and over long distances with horses. Later that afternoon, we had a jumping lesson with Lt Col Tom Freyne. We concentrated on maintaining our position, a forward rhythmic canter and having a good approach to the fences.

The following morning, we built a course with Lt Larkin and we rode this course later with Lt Col Tom Freyne in front of our parents and the chairman of the Irish Pony Club, Barbara Micks. This marked the end of our training. We had an extremely memorable week in McKee Barracks and would strongly encourage other members of the Irish Pony Club to compete in the Classic. This is a great opportunity of being in with a chance of attaining this wonderful prize.