TIGGY’s Trust officially launched its mental health initiative last Saturday at the Kildare Education Centre. The latest project of the Trust, set up in memory of the late Tiggy Hancock, has been in the development stage for the past 12 months.

The Trust developed the course primarily for coaches and parents; it centres on providing strategies for learning in a positive atmosphere and an understanding of mental health issues in young riders. The aim is to help those providing lessons and care to assist young equestrians to develop resilience and a sense of well-being.

The course was beautifully constructed and presented by Dr Susan Gibney of Nurturing Schools Ireland and educational psychologist Lucy Mannion who took attendees through an understanding of coaching with an awareness of stress and mental health in young athletes.

Full capacity

The four-hour course was fully funded by Tiggy’s Trust and was booked to capacity within days of launch. Attendees received 2CPD points from both Horse Sport Ireland and the Irish Pony Club.

Coaches with all levels of experience and a wide age range came from many different Pony Clubs and from as far away as Cork, Kerry and Northern Ireland. The organisers were delighted to see representatives from other mental health projects and horse therapy projects sign up, and were able to share their knowledge and expertise adding another dimension to the discussion.

Lucy Mannion and Susan Gibney’s presentation was both fascinating and thought-provoking. There was an overwhelmingly positive reaction to the very latest coaching techniques that they covered.

The Trust has indicated that further feedback will be sought; after which the course will be fine-tuned and rolled out to Pony Clubs and other equestrian organisations that work with young people around the country.