THE biggest-ever attendance, both online and in person, at the Para Equestrian Ireland AGM at Headfort School in Kells, Co Meath last week highlighted the growing profile of the organisation that helps riders with physical disabilities compete in dressage at national and international level, up to and including Paralympic Games.

For a small country, Ireland has an impressive record in international Para Dressage. Helen Kearney took three medals - one silver and two bronze - at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and this summer Michael Murphy won two bronze medals at the World Championships in Herning, Denmark.

The pair joined up with rising star Katie Reilly and seasoned veteran Rosemary Gaffney for a Q&A on a fascinating day that began with a demonstration from some of the students on the school ponies.

Riding is part of the curriculum at Headfort which has a long link with the Irish horse world. Amongst its past pupils are racing legend Charlie Swan and event rider Sam Watson.

Big welcome

Headmaster Philip McCormick gave everyone a big welcome, and among the attendees were Dressage Ireland Chairperson Marguerite Kavanagh and the President of Paralympics Ireland, Eimear Breathnach who shared a room with Helen Kearney during the London Games. “I didn’t have a great Games, but Helen inspired a lot of people,” Eimear said. One of those was Michael Murphy.

“The moment I knew I wanted to go to the Paralympics was when I watched Helen win her silver medal. I was 14 years old, and I knew I wanted that to be me,” Murphy told the group of the students who grilled the four athletes with some lively questions.

After a series of back surgeries Helen is riding again. Asked about the biggest challenges she faces now, she said “getting on“! Her father however seems to be an engineering genius. “He made up a cool electronic hoist that grabs me under my arms. Every horse is different but my horse took to it straight away,” she explained.

Michael, an Environmental Advisor for a large London-based construction company, said it takes four people to get him on his horse. And this is at the core of the challenge for Para riders. They need a big support team, and that comes at a cost. So Para Equestrian Ireland is pushing for far greater future funding.

New board members

During the AGM staged after dinner in the ballroom, there was a call for new Board members to fill the positions of PEI Company Secretary and Treasurer. And it was pointed out that as a registered charity Tax Relief is available to businesses willing to offer support.

With a big drive in PR and marketing, a new website and a smart new clothing range, Para Equestrian Ireland is looking forward, with the top athletes targeting strong results at next summer’s European Championships and qualification spots for Paris in 2024.

“The Paralympic movement across the world is developing so quickly, even faster than the Olympic movement, so staying up with that and ahead of it is the biggest challenge,” Eimear Breathnach pointed out.

But the knock-on effect of success for Ireland’s Para Dressage athletes is really positive. “See the kids here lining up to get Michael’s autograph - if he can be someone they look up to as a sports person that filters its way down whether it’s Michael here today or Ellen Keane (swimmer) on Dancing with the Stars. People with visibility in the media are so important,” she said.

Para Equestrian Ireland: Email karen.pei@yahoo.com or log on to https://justgiving.com/campaign/roadtotheeuropeans