IRISH Pony Club members Abbie Collins (South Westmeath) and Clodagh Shanahan-Rice (Waterford), who won training bursaries at the IPC show jumping Classic at Emerald Equestrian last September, spent a week at the Army Equitation School in McKee Barracks in February. Here, writing on behalf of both members, Clodagh gives us a brief summary of their unforgettable experience.

“We arrived on the Sunday and were greeted by Lt Michaeli Byrne. We got our horses settled in and feeds ready before we went to the hotel to check-in and had dinner.

“The following morning, we walked the short distance from our hotel to McKee, arriving at 8.25am, then mucked out and fed our horses. Got a tour of the yard and PowerPoint brief on the Equitation School from Comdt Sharon Crean followed by Sgt J.P. Rogan who was so helpful throughout the week if we needed anything – he, Cpl Barry Kehoe and Michaeli were always there.

“We then had our first lesson with Sharon on the flat and she did not leave one screw unturned and was able to fix us as riders there and then. After lunch, we had a lesson with Comdt Geoff Curran over a grid and everything from the morning lesson helped us here as well as riders working on our positions. Did evening yard and finished up around 16.10.

Course building

“We were in at 8.15 on Tuesday to muck out and feed. Our morning consisted of course design/distances; we built a course that was used by the Army riders. We had a feeding lecture and then a lesson over poles and distances. After lunch, we had another jumping lesson with Comdt Crean followed by evening yard and back to the hotel.

“We were in McKee again at 8.15 on the Wednesday for morning yard. This was followed by a canter pole demo from Lt Byrne explained by Comdt Crean. Then we had our own poles lesson over some different lines and distances. In the afternoon, we attended Lisadell Veterinary Hospital with Cpl Kehoe which was really interesting, getting so close to vet surgeries.

“Thursday was a packed day with the farrier being there in the morning and, as it was open day, we helped set up and keep the yard spotless. We had a flatwork lesson, working in flexion and bending, with Officer Commanding Lt Col Tom Freyne.

“Friday was a day we didn’t want to come as we wanted to move in and stay! We had an inspection in the morning then built a course we would later jump with Comdt Crean giving us our last lesson. It really showed us how much we had learned during this ‘once in a lifetime experience’ that we shall never forget.

“Abbie and I cannot thank the Irish Pony Club enough for this opportunity,” concluded Clodagh. “We would also like to thank everyone in McKee Barracks for being so warm and welcoming to us in our stay and providing us with memories of a lifetime.”