NOW under the direction of Prof Nicola Walshe MRCVS and Prof Brigid Young, who is a nutritionist, the Equine Science faculty at the University Of Limerick continues to prosper.

At the recent awards for the Equine Science final year Projects 2026, the winner of the Coolmore Medal was Amelia Kennedy Barret for her project - An analysis of Microbiological, Chemical and Mineral Profiles of drinking water for horses.

Second place went to Tundle Fekete for her project - Policy Influences on Equine Parasite control in Australia, Germany and Ireland.

Third place went to Abigail Gillen for her project - Temporal Changes in Hospitalised Equine Conditions and Interventions applied 2010-2024.

There was an interesting presentation on hunting, entitled Assessing the Physiological Demands Experiencied by horses During a hunting Season presented by Lorna Murphy, who hunts with the Limerick Harriers.

The overall standard was very high, with graduates set to enter the equine world either in the business or scientific area, with many aiming to work directly with horses.

The Equine Science faculty in University of Limerick has now been running for over 30 years and has produced many, who have gone on to make their mark in the equestrian world. Among its alumni is champion jockey, Rachel Blackmore. Fitting in with their educational schedule, but now scheduled just before their final exams, students present their projects before their peers, a panel of judges and an invited audience including Irish Horse World contributor, Dickie Power.

“The winning paper, receiving the Coolmore-sponsored Gold Medal, was well researched,” said Power. “It looked at the importance of proper dinking water for the health and well being of the equine. It was presented by Amelia Kennedy Barret from Kildare, where she has been involved in stud work with Hart Livery and stud in Naas. She hopes to go on to study Veterinary Medicine.”

Good luck to the class of 2026!