FINGAL County Council’s support of equestrianism isn’t just confined to this two-day Flavours of Fingal Show as explained by Nuala Stafford, chairperson of Cheval Riding Club whose grounds at Jordanstown, Oldtown have benefitted from funding by the local authority.

“Our grounds, which are based in the heart of Fingal, enjoyed great support from the Council’s Community and Sports division last year as they funded the purchase of a new sand arena harrow/leveller and a new set of training show jumps,” said Stafford. “Fingal recognises the growth of our sport within its boundaries and the huge wealth of knowledge behind this.

“Our club, which was founded over 45 years ago, is one of only two in the country to own their own grounds and caters for the needs of the amateur rider throughout Fingal. The Council recognises that we run as an inclusive, diverse, safe and welcoming environment within the local and wider community and that, as a voluntary, non-profit making organisation, any events we stage help in the maintenance and running of our grounds.

“Fingal County Council supports Cheval through community news, training updates and publicity of events and, in February just past, announced that our application for a Sports Capital Grant from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media had been successful and that we had been awarded €118,608 to build a new sand arena. We have just started the tendering process, setting out our plans and budget for a 65m x 48m arena.

“Thanks to the support of Fingal County Council and the Department for Sport, Cheval continues to evolve,” concluded Stafford whose hard work and dedication was behind that successful application for a Sports Capital Grant.