I had the pleasure of attending the Para Dressage Ireland AGM last week. This was a Special AGM to honour our Paralympian Dressage Riders who have been performing so well over the past few years, particularly at the Tokyo Paralympics and the FEI Para Dressage World Championships this year.
Headfort School
The Backdrop for this special day was the prestigious Headfort School, nestled close to the Historic Town of Kells, Co. Meath. The School has been running for over 70 years, caring for both day pupils and boarding pupils up to secondary level, building each individual child’s confidence and independence, while striving for academic excellence. Along with this, the Headfort School provides a host of extracurricular activities, of which Equestrian just happens to be one.
Para Dressage Ireland AGM
The day of the AGM was blessed with Sunshine, and was quite warm for October; The President of Paralympic Ireland, Eimear Breathnach and Irish Paralympians, Helen Kearney, Michael Murphy, Rosemary Gaffney, Kate Kerr-Horan, along with our youngest International Para Rider, Katie Reilly were all in attendance.
The Headfort Pupils Equestrian Display.
The Headfort Pupils Riding Display – Picture by Maria Slinkina Courtesy of The Headfort School.
The day began with the Equestrian Pupils of the Headfort School putting on a riding display over fences and cross-country, while our Paralympians looked on. Although a little nervous the pupils were very excited about doing a good job and then getting to meet their Irish Equestrian Heroes a little later in the day.
The young riders with their ponies plaited and turned out to Top Show Ring Condition, took their eager mounts over a small Showjumping Course, before finishing with a few Cross Country Fences, all while their Riding Instructor and Head Master, Philip McCormick remained proud spectators.
On completion of their Display, the young equestrians were presented with Rosettes and Group Pictures were taken with the Irish Paralympians. This was followed by Coffee and Tea, and a Question and Answer session with the Irish Para Riders.
Para Dressage AGM Q and A.
At the beginning of the Q and A, Karen Reilly Funding and Sponsorship Officer of Para Dressage Ireland, explained the different levels of Para Dressage which are;
- Grade 1 – Walk Test
- Grade 2 – Walk with some Trot
- Grade 3 – Walk and Trot about 50 – 50
- Grade 4 – Walk and Trot
- Grade 5 – Walk Trot and some Canter
Tokyo Olympics
Some of the very interesting topics that came up during the Q and A were how to acclimatise horses for Tokyo. Paralympian, Rosemary Gaffney talked about how she prepared her horses for the Tokyo Olympics. The horses were worked with rugs on in an effort to prepare them for the Intense heat they would be subject to while at the games. She also shared that once at the Olympic Venue they would ride very early in the morning and late at night, to keep the horses exercised with minimal impact from the heat. Rosemary went on to say that Olympic Venue had a multitude of Misting Tents, which were used for your horse following exercise. These tents spray a light mist of cool water over the horse. This misting process was an important part of the animal’s exercise and was vital to keep the horse’s temperature within a normal healthy range.
Irish Paralympian Michael Murphy also talked about the 18 hour flight to Tokyo and the Intense heat out there, making the use of the Misting Tents a necessity for both horses and riders.
Daily Challenges of A Para Equestrian
The question came up of how the Para Athletes mounted their horses. It takes up to 4 people to help one para athlete to mount their horse. Irish Paralympian, Helen Kearney shared that due to this her father had invented a lift to enable her to be easily lifted onto her horse when working at home. This one question highlighted just some of the difficulties these riders face on a daily basis.
Both Helen and Rosemary also spoke of some of the stabilization equipment they found beneficial, such as magnetic stirrups to help prevent them losing a stirrup while riding.
Helen Kearney A Great Inspiration
President of Paralympic Ireland, Eimear Breathnach who also competed as a Paralympian in the London 2012 games, spoke of what an Inspiration Helen Kearney has been to Para Athletes. Eimear shared a room with Helen during the London 2012 Olympics, and she said, “I didn’t have my best games that year, but Helen came back day, after day, with a medal in hand, she has been a great Inspiration to Irish Para Athletes.”
Helen Kearney won 2 Bronze Medals and a Silver Medal at the London 2012 Olympics. It came to light at the AGM that Helen has been an inspiration to all of the Irish Para Dressage Athletes, particularly Michael Murphy and our youngest International Para Dressage Rider Katie Reilly.
Michael Murphy World Championship Success and The Road To Paris 2024
Irish Paralympian Michael Murphy also spoke of his experience at the FEI Para Dressage World Championships this year, in which he and his horse Cleverboy won 2 Bronze Medals. Michael said it was an amazing experience, and the Irish Para Dressage Team finished in 9th Place overall, just one place away from a Qualification for the Paris 2024 Games. Michael said that we still have a chance to qualify an Irish Para Dressage Team at the European Championships in 2023, but also if we can keep our Irish Para Riders out competing across Europe next year, and the riders perform well, this will also allocate points to the Irish Para Dressage Team, giving Ireland another chance to qualify a Para Dressage Team for Paris 2024.
The pupils of Headfort School got a chance to get autographs from the Riders and also to hold both Helen and Michael’s Medals, with the collective remark, “They Are So Heavy!” A weight we believe many International Athlete’s would love to bear.
Sponsorship
The funding for an Irish Para Dressage Team was discussed. Para Dressage Ireland and the Irish Para riders rely heavily on any support and sponsorship they can get. It is through fund raising and donations that our wonderful Para Dressage Riders get to compete on the International stage, so if you can help Para Dressage Ireland in any way, please go to the Para Dressage Ireland Website, where they have a Sponsorship page, all funds will go toward sending the Irish Team to the FEI Para European Championships in 2023. Para Dressage Ireland>>>>