Dressage in Ireland

baleofhay

baleofhay

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Just been on holiday to Co Sligo in Ireland and really loved it. Would consider moving there to live except when I asked about local dressage scene ther did not seem to be one??? They were all in to their show jumping but no one seems to be doing dressage. Is this typical of Ireland?
 
Dressage Ireland definitely isn't as popular as SJAI or Eventing Ireland, but more and more people are getting into it.

Sligo would be in the Midland & Western region for DI - Woodlands EC near Tubbercurry hosts several DI events throughout the year including the Winter and Summer Regionals.

There are MUCH more DI events in the Eastern and Leinster Region - Marlton Stud and Boswell EC in Wicklow and Killossery in Dublin host DI events regularly.
 
Riding Club and Pony Club are very popular over here - There are over 100 Riding Clubs and 62 Pony Club Branches in Ireland
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When I was in Ireland I was in a RC which was very active and ran loads of dressage competitions, Again, I was in Leinster so cannot comment about the west but a friend is in the midlands and regularly completes in unaff dressage both with her RC and at a local centre.
 
I'm in Fermanagh (the south-west of Northern Ireland, about 40 miles from Sligo) and all I can say is that if you are in the West of Ireland (the north bit or the south bit if that makes sense
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) and want to compete, then you have to be prepared to travel.

Unless something is on at Necarne or Cavan EC, I am looking at at least a 2 hour drive to get to a venue. Having said that, the traffic isn't bad and you get to see some lovely scenery while you are about it.
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Add to that the wonderful off-road riding, glorious miles of sandy beaches, and all the racing, and who cares?
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Oh, and we run regular dressage clinics here with visiting trainers from England, and riding club camps at Necarne 3x a year with a dressage Fellow, so you could find yourself with a whole bunch of ready-made friends
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I live in hunting/racing/jumping country on the south coast of Ireland. Riding around here is mostly going very fast or jumping over very large things. I think I'm the only person in a 20 mile radius remotely interested in dressage. I'm lucky tho and have a wonderful instructor - she's retired from a school in England and gives me private lessons. Sometimes I feel a bit isolated - I'd have to travel a good way to compete -but usually I'm happy working away on my own.

The main dressage scene in Ireland is on the east coast - Dublin and neighbouring counties. I have friends who live there and there's leagues and competitions going on all the time at riding club and Dressage Ireland level. If you go to the Dressage Ireland and AIRC (Association of Irish Riding Clubs) websites you'll get an idea of what is going on.

Did you ride in Sligo? I was up there some time ago and the beaches looked perfect for riding on.
 
Tried to pm you but it said you are not accepting pms - I moved here from England a few years ago, just thought if you wanted to ask any questions about relocating I might be able to help. Pm me if you like
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Seemed to be loads of horses in fields but no one riding on the lovely empty lanes? Or any where?

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The loads of horses in fields are probably youngsters who will end up coming over your way! Every second farmer down the road I live on has a brood mare or two and only one of them rides.
 
Sorru Rowreach have changed my settings (i think) so i can get pm s now. Would love to hear about your move. Just wish the excange rate would improve and make it more viable. Dont mind travelling as we already have to travel at least an hour and a half from here.
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Sligo- God's own country but no dressage that I have ever heard of. Big show jumping scene, lots of hunting and a very vibrant point-to-point schedule. (as well as Streedagh Beach- mile after mile of deserted golden sand with the Atlantic rolling in and old Ben Bulben's head towering above you, magic on foot, heaven on a horse- best riding beach in the world). If you are interested in finding out whats on ring the Kerins family in Tubberbride EC- findable on the web easily enough- they are really, really into show-jumping but are incredibly helpful and lovely people- if they don't run dressage themselves they will certainly know who does in the Sligo region. Hope it works out
 
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