SUE Foley reached out this week with news of Clonshire Equestrian Centre being among the finalists at the 2025 Local Pet awards.

The Local Pet Awards is now into its fourth year in Ireland and going into its fifth year in Northern Ireland and Scotland. This year is the first time they introduced equestrian categories to which they reported an excellent response.

The awards highlight the best in the pet industry from dog walkers, groomers, kennels and catteries and now equestrian centres and horse riding instructors.

The awards were held last week in the beautiful Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dublin Airport with over 400 guests.

The winner of Equestrian Centre of the Year was Cloverhill Equestrian, Ballyorgan and the winner of Riding Instructor of the Year was Eilish Devine of Keash Equestrian Centre.

Clonshire Equestrian Centre was the other finalist for Equestrian Centre of the Year and Clonshire instructor Katrina Brosnahan was the other finalist for Riding Instructor of the Year.

“We were delighted to be finalists in the Equestrian Centre of the Year Category and Katrina was also a Finalist for Coach of the year,” Foley reported. “Claire Nolan, our photographer, was also awarded Pet Photographer of the year. It was an amazing night out.”

Vet Hero of the Year was Philip Long from Highfield Vets, Vet of the Year was Theresa Haeussler of Carn Vet Clinic, Innishowen, and Veterinary Nurse of the Year was Charlotte Meehan of Bluestack Veterinary Clinic, Donegal. Specialist Pet Service of the year went to From the Ashes - Canine and Equine Behavourist, Mallow.

Nominations are now open for 2026, via www.thelocalpetawards.com.