Advice on competiting in Ireland.

[sare_bear]

OH and I may be looking at moving to Ireland. I only compete low level mostly eventing and dressage, show jumping in the winter. What is the eventing scene like? Do you have to travel miles to events? We are currently looking at Tipperary (Cahir way), Co. Carlow (Gorsebridge direction) and Wicklow (South) at the moment. Does anyone have any info on riding clubs, competition centre, horsey scene etc in these areas.

Lastly, my main concern is the lack of hacking in Ireland. Are the roads / country lanes rideable or just asking for trouble. Also cant seem to find much info on forest /mountain passes in the south to box up to. Could anyone give me places that are accessible as this would likely sway me to a particular area.

Any info appreciated.

 

[Mickyjoe]

Around Cahir in Tipperary you have Kedrah Castle Equestrian who run Eventing Ireland events (one ran just this Sunday) as well as training competitions and hunter trials. That's actually a great location as you are close to the motorway so easy access up and down the country.

I am not from any of those areas, so can't give day to day experience regarding hacking etc., but I have some nice quiet roads that I can hack on at home. We don't have bridleways though like in the UK, so if you don't have quiet roads near you, then your hacking might be limited.
I think you can get passes to hack up the mountains around Wicklow alright.
Your best bet would be to visit www.stabletostable.com/forums.
Very friendly forum and you will find plenty of people from all around Ireland on there.

 

[amage]

Cahir is a nice area and you are in the heart of thoroughbred country there. Don't know who told you there is a lack of hacking over here....there is loads especially the further away from cities you are and the places you have listed are all well away from cities. Cahir would prob suit you the most competition wise...a good few events close by, same for SJ. Dressage is a bit mixed over here....there is a dressage only competition venue in Wicklow. The motorway is very handy for Cahir. Carlow would be most lacking in terms of show venues...Goresbridge in Kilkenny would be closer to a few. Worth lookig at Cork aswell. Are you planning on having horses at home or livery?

 

[sare_bear]

Thanks for the advice. We are planning on having horses at home, so would want to have access to riding clubs etc to meet people. Have looked at Cork, as seems horsey and beautiful, but property prices are more expensive and are struggling to find what we want within our budget.

Amage - did a search on here re hacking and most people said that even on country roads they wouldn't ride out and obviously no bridleways. I don't mind buying a permit to hack as long as not hours to get there. Slieve bloom mountains seems to be mentioned a lot, but not in areas we are looking.

Thanks Mickyjoe, will have a look on the forum.

Is Carlow less horsey, because of the land? Sorry for all the questions.

 

[buzzles]

I live in Wicklow and have to say we're very spoilt regards venues, there are some really nice equestrian venues that run showjumping and dressage, affiliated and non-aff, and some decent xc training facilitites. It's very handy for travelling to other parts of the country as it's very central, Wexford, Kildare, Dublin, Meath and Carlow are less than 2 hrs away. Hacking wise, we don't have bridleways over here like you do in the UK so hacking is on roads or forest, most of which are government owned and you can get a permit for. I love Wicklow as I can hack in forests in the Wicklow mountains and then the beach is only 20 min away so there's lots of variety. There is also a good selection of livery yards, although DIY is not as popular over here and prices in Wicklow because it's so close to Dublin are on the high side.
Competing wise, there is Showjumping Ireland, Dressage Ireland and Eventing Ireland which are the affiliates, if you're looking for a bit of everthing, the riding clubs are great, AIRC, they cater for all levels from 70 up to 1.10 at sj, dsj, xc and showing and would be a good way to make friends and contacts.
Good luck with the move!

 

[Mickyjoe]

Also, just to add Munster Eventing has the most events on as far as I know, than any other area.

 

[Jane_Lou]

I lived in Kildare when I was in Ireland. Plenty to do locally with lots of competition centres. At that time I competed in Dressage Ireland competitions and did loads with my Riding Club which also gave me a great social life!

I was a livery at a large competition centre so there were lots of both affiliated and RC opportunities to compete and train. I only did a bit of RC eventing so can't really comment on that scene but I did do a lots dressage call up both for EI and DI so travelled to lots of events, can't remember where now as I am going back to the 90's now but there seemed to be plenty within a reasonable distance!

 

[gadetra]

Welcome!
No there are no bridleways, and you never, upon pain of death trespass (can you tell I'm a farmer?!) but there's plenty of hacking out on roads and through forestry. My Dad drove a timber lorry for 40 years and in the time I spent in it with him we bombproofed many a pony
I can't speak from a riding perspective, that part of my equine engagement being some while ago. In my day, in my area, there weren't that many hobby riders. I can't remember any actually. Although I know of one now. You had 4-5yo's to jump and sell untill you got your next one or produced homebreds. That has changed now though I think. I remember seein a girl on an 8yo in a Grade E and thinking "Jaysus look at yer wan". Plus ca change! (it was, and still is, all sj around me. And hunting. older one's either went off on the boat or went north or east!)
Also 'In my day', and maybe still, saddle fitting = polypads, and latterly sheepskin, and feeding was very simple. there were straights, cool and cooked, stud mix, comp mix, and racehorse cubes. And pony nuts. Very straightforward!
Threre's a great scene, and you may go back home with another one at least in your box

 

[sare_bear]

Thanks everyone.

Lots to look at and think about. I always knew Ireland was horsey, but worried there wasn't much for the amateur rider! Hard to find much on the internet.

Buzzles- riding in the Wicklow mountains sounds lovely!! So glad to see there is lots to do.

Gadetra - wouldn't ride on farmers land without permission, but do farmers occasionally give access if asked? Loving the saddle fitting, feeding bit, but also worried that I would want to bring my farrier, vet etc with me. Haha

Also, how easy would it be to have one or two horses for livery? Would there be a requirement for this, or unlikely if not nearby a city. Just thinking it would be nice to perhaps have people to ride with.

Any more info on areas, living in Ireland appreciated.

 

[snooples]

Ì live just west of cork city and then facilites in the area are amazing.

There are two pony clubs, three riding clubs and 3 hunts in my locality, we are talking half an hour.
There are about 6 hunter trials twice a year within an hour.
There is also two big showjumping schools who run affilaited events all through winter and spring and one runs unaffiliated showjumping every friday night, both of these also host affiliated dresage 2 or 3 times a year each and another venue in the area does affilaited dressage too. All dressage runs unaffiliated concurrently with affiliated.
In terms of eventing its great too, I have 4 affiliated events (two that run international events)within an hour and a half (3 within the hour) and many more unaffilaited with riding club.
There is also outdoor showjumping and showing most weekends from mid may to september in the region.
In terms of hacking its nearly all on road but you do get the occasional lane that you can have a good gallop in.

Tbh Im spoiled for choice down here and cant even afford to go to everything!

 

[buzzles]

There's plenty for the amateur rider, like I said the Riding Club www.airc.ie is great , they do lots of regional and national comps for all levels and depending on the individual club do clinics and training so it's a good way to meet people. Eventing Ireland also run Sportsman classes for amateur riders as do Showjumping Ireland and I think Dressage Ireland do aswell? A lot of the equestrian centres would run their own competitions too.

Forgot to say it's Coillte who own a lot of the forestry and who you need to get a permit from, although most people don't bother and they're not exactly strict about it- However that might change soon as the government are thinking of selling off the harvesting rights to make some money, hopefully it won't happen as it's a great resource.

Livery should be ok for two horses, it would probably depend on the area you decide on. We do have very good vets and farriers over here! My farrier is great and there's two vet practices I use (have a choice of 4) within 20 min and for anything serious there is 2 veterinary hospitals less than and hour away. It must be very difficult though to get settled into somewhere new and try to find people you trust, but if you ask on here or on the stabletostable forum I'm sure you'll get recommendations!

 

[sare_bear]

Snooples - thanks. West Cork is on the list, but property is more expensive that way. I am also a little unsure about coping with the amount of rain. I'm kind of liking 'sunny south east' for that reason. I had heard Cork had a lot going on eventing wise, so may have a look when next over. Think I may struggle with the Cork accent too. lol.

Buzzles - Had a look at Coillte website. Would be such a shame if they do sell off some of the forests etc.
I think like with everything it is always hard to move to another country, even if its just over the water. Do any of your farriers hot shoe? The few horses I have had from Ireland have only ever been cold shod. I think it will be exciting, once every thing falls into place.

 

[amage]

Another area to consider is Waterford...Loads of beaches, great Agri shows, good farriers/vets. The road network is actually quite good in the south east. Will PM you some more specifics

 

[showpony]

Another recomendation for Wicklow

As buzzles said there is an abundance of decent venues! Look up Boswell Equestrian - this would be one of the prime venues in Wicklow with a year round programme of events.. both Dressage & Jumping.

Also there are some class venues that host shows all within a 1.5hr radius.

Also have a look @ eventingireland.ie

Below is a Calender on shows going on around the country..

http://www.horseplay.ie/calendar/

I live in Wicklow and have to say we're very spoilt regards venues, there are some really nice equestrian venues that run showjumping and dressage, affiliated and non-aff, and some decent xc training facilitites. It's very handy for travelling to other parts of the country as it's very central, Wexford, Kildare, Dublin, Meath and Carlow are less than 2 hrs away. Hacking wise, we don't have bridleways over here like you do in the UK so hacking is on roads or forest, most of which are government owned and you can get a permit for. I love Wicklow as I can hack in forests in the Wicklow mountains and then the beach is only 20 min away so there's lots of variety. There is also a good selection of livery yards, although DIY is not as popular over here and prices in Wicklow because it's so close to Dublin are on the high side.
Competing wise, there is Showjumping Ireland, Dressage Ireland and Eventing Ireland which are the affiliates, if you're looking for a bit of everthing, the riding clubs are great, AIRC, they cater for all levels from 70 up to 1.10 at sj, dsj, xc and showing and would be a good way to make friends and contacts.
Good luck with the move!

 

[Koda]

If it were me, I would go Wicklow or Kildare way. Preferably Wicklow as you got more mountains and the sea closer

You would be spoiled for choice with things to do in either spot.
Wicklow has excellent Dressage facilities (Marlton and Boswell) and SJ (Boswell and Barnadown easy distance). The Riding Club in both Kildare and Wicklow are very active, always loads going on! Kildare has Coilog and Kildare International EC (mainly SJ and RC events- great facilites) and also the TRI Equestrian superstore in the Curragh.

Also you are within easy travel distance of any big show up north or south. The National Dressage Champs I believe are held north in Cavan Equestrian Centre- fabulous top class facility within 2 hrs. It hosts a lot of showing, SJ and dressage, grand prixs, finals and nationals.

Call Coillte directly for forest info. They are useless at emailing I find. You can pay to get a key for the gates to the forest in certain areas, all you need to do is send a cheque and your insurance info. Fee is nominal. They then post you the key

Quality vets and farriers are easy to find, once you ask around on the forums the others gave you. Also I look at who else they have as clients. My farrier is also the resident farrier for Dublin Horse show, so chances are he's good! lol Suppose you will find the same with finding a hair dresser....you will try a few and see who you trust to do the job how you like it

I'm not great on eventing info, but several of my friends are eventers and they seem plenty busy all year with things to do