MY name is Isabelle McCarthy and I am a Transition Year student at Coláiste/Gaelcholáiste Choilm in Co Cork, with a strong passion for show jumping and competing as a rider. As part of my school’s TY programme, I had the opportunity to develop a science project with the support of my teachers. And so, “Beyond the jump: Horse and rider stress dynamics in show jumping” was born.

The idea came to me after thinking about challenges that I faced while riding, and one that stuck out was stress: the anxious and tense feeling between my horse and me. This is something that many riders can relate to, regardless of level.