SOME 20 new HSI Level 2 coaches have been approved by Horse Sport Ireland, following a five-day assessment at Spruce Lodge in Co Wicklow.

The coaches have been approved as having the necessary skills and technical knowledge to work as an independent equestrian coach up to elementary level dressage, 1.20m in show jumping and CCI** in eventing.

In all, 24 coaches embarked on the Level 2 courses in 2016, beginning with three tutor-led days where training exercises were demonstrated and explained in each discipline to the relevant levels.

This was followed by a day at Tattersalls International Horse Trials when the coaches joined their tutors to walk the CCI** course and analyse the dressage phase. A two-day pre-assessment session in June saw the coaches bring their own horses and riders to coach in each of the three disciplines. They were given feedback on their coaching skills, identifying their strengths and weaknesses and clear advice and a pathway to improve.

In the final assessment session on September 26th-30th, the coaches were assessed in dressage and show jumping before being assessed in cross-country coaching. A total of 20 coaches reached the cross-country assessment stage and all 20 met the required standard in this discipline.

The 20 new Level 2 coaches are:

  • Rebecca Chow, Co Cork
  • Shota Niikura, Co Cork
  • Soraya Morscher, Co Clare
  • Sinead Cooney, Co Clare
  • Orlaith Delamere, Co Kildare
  • Sonya McCormack, Co Kildare
  • Helen Dempsey, Co Kildare
  • Toni Donnelly, Co Down
  • Rachel Dowley, Co Kilkenny
  • Simone Hession, Co Sligo
  • Jane Kinsella, Co Meath
  • Cathal Lynch, Co Down
  • Aoife McCabe, Co Galway
  • Maeve McEvoy, Co Tyrone
  • Kevin McGuinness, Co Dublin
  • Kelda Morgan, Co Donegal
  • Paddy O’Donnell, Co Waterford
  • Tomás Ryan, Co Tipperary
  • Kim O’Gorman, Co Wexford
  • Steven Smith, Co Wexford