Record attendance at the 2017 HSI Coaching and Breeding Conference

Over 430 people flocked to Cavan Equestrian Centre this week to attend Horse Sport Ireland’s biggest ever Coaching and Breeding Conference. The day was a sell out and attendees were treated to some really noteworthy sessions from some of the equestrian industry’s top professionals.

The day kicked off with both Rob Ehrens and Andrew Hoy giving us an insight into their coaching philosophies, followed by a fascinating session from equine reproduction expert vet, Larry Dunne, who discussed the embryo transfer process. The curtain was lowered for the first practical session of the day and attention then switched to Rob Ehrens and his riders in the arena. Rob coached two riders on two different types of horses, improving their way of going throughout the session, all the while promoting rhythm, relaxation and contact and adapting his coaching styles for different skill levels.

Russell Guire of Centaur Biomechanics delivered a thought provoking session in the afternoon on horse and rider biomechanics. This session delivered some surprising research results on saddle fitting as well as activities that some riders do every day such as mounting from the ground, as well as the effects of the use of various tack, such as a fly fringe. The practical session was equally thought provoking as with the use of ‘Quintic’ biomechanics software and ‘Visualise’ jackets, Russell was able to show some surprising results in rider position.

To close the day, international eventing legend Andrew Hoy coached a four-year-old event horse to help participants understand what he looks for in a potentially top-class event horse. He spoke about conformation, type, breeding and temperament and the various challenges faced as horses come up through the ranks in discipline of eventing.

Speaking about the conference, Director of Breeding and Programmes Alison Corbally said;

“We wanted to have a good mixture of scientific advancement and practical applications at this conference to ensure that the event was applicable to coaches, breeders, young horse producers and all involved in the industry. It was wonderful to have such enthusiastic support of the world class panel who needed very little encouragement to present at the event! To have a full house in attendance was inspiring and demonstrates the genuine thirst for quality, relevant information within the equestrian community in Ireland.”

Newly qualified HSI Level 1 Apprentice coaches and HSI Level 3 Dressage, Eventing and Show Jumping coaches were presented with their certificates and Liam Moggan, formerly of Sport Ireland Coaching was presented with the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Coaching’ award.

The 2017 Coach of the Year award was presented in two categories; Development Coach of the Year went to Jane Kinsella, Co. Meath. Performance Coach of the Year went to the European Gold Medal winning Pony Show Jumping Chef d’Equipe; Gary Marshall.

Speaking following his win Gary said;

“I am honoured to receive the prestige award of HSI Performance Coach of the Year, alongside great coaches that have won it in the past. I would like to congratulate the riders on their success this year and to thank the parents, trainers, sponsors, grooms, vets and everyone that made the success possible”

The following coaches received their HSI Coaching qualifications in 2017.

HSI Level 3 Dressage Coaches 

• Anne Marie Dunphy
• Gerald Bloomer
• Ruth Hayes

HSI Level 3 Eventing Coaches 

• Becky Cullen
• Joanne Jarden
• Louise Bloomer
• Gerald Bloomer
• Louise Lyons
• Melanie Wrynn

HSI Level 3 Show Jumping Coaches

• Barry O’Connor
• Johnny O’Connell

HSI Level 1 Apprentice Coaches

• Abrar Jeraq
• Aiden Fogarty
• Ailsa Sexton
• Aine Ni Chonaill
• Alanna Yeats
• Andrew Lyons
• Annie Molloy
• Arlene Doris
• Barbara Allen
• Christine McBride
• Ciaran McCormick
• Daniela O’Toole
• Dara Mellerick
• David Corcoran
• Deirdre Crowdle Ryan
• Elizabeth Fleming
• Ellen Kavanagh
• Emma McCauley
• Esther O’Kane
• Fiona Cooper
• Fiona Murphy
• Hannah Marie Smiddy
• Hannah McCrory
• Heather Saunders
• Hyunk-Seok Kim
• Irene Lawler
• Jacqueline Murphy
• James Purcell
• Jenny Lynch
• Jenny Pim
• Julie-Claire Rogers
• Kate Nelson
• Linda Monaghan
• Lydia Dawson
• Michelle Mulligan
• Nicky Mummery
• Nicola Dunne
• Nicola Ennis
• Olivia Downes
• Orla Cassidy
• Paula Sutton
• Ruth Masterson
• Sarah Dunne
• Comdt Sharon Crean
• Shelley Allen
• Siobhan Schous
• Stephanie Moore
• Vladimir Tkatchivskii
• Wendy Rowland
• Yvette Truesdale

ENDS