QUALIFIED rider Karen Ferris has been appointed manager at the Irish Equine Rehabilitation and Fitness Centre in Lower Ballinderry, Lisburn.
While she will be kept very busy at the Centre, where facilities include the first equine water treadmill with an incline available for use by the public, Karen will continue to produce the horses she and husband Eoin Barry have at home.
“We live about 15 minutes’ drive from the Centre so I will have plenty of time to look after and ride out our own horses as well as tending to clients’ horses at the Centre,” said Karen who found herself studying for an equine rehabilitation and massage qualification when she injured her ankle in a fall some years ago.
As Karen has a background in hunting, show jumping and dressage, and is light to boot, she will, if required, ride any horse or pony brought in to the Centre to avail of the short or longterm residential services. At the IERFC, Karen will be assisted by apprentice Amy Roberts.
Karen Ferris will be kept busy in her new role as manager of the Irish Equine Rehabilitation and Fitness Centre
BoyleSports, has signed a major multi-year sponsorship deal with Down Royal racecourse.
The three-year investment will give the Dundalk-headquartered firm exclusive naming rights to two celebrated races at the track this year, the ‘The BoyleSports Ulster Derby (Premier Handicap)’ and ‘The BoyleSports Ulster Oaks’. Both races, which will have a total prize-fund of €140,000, will take place on Saturday, June 20th, day two of Down Royal’s Summer Festival of Racing.
Leon Blanche, head of communications at BoyleSports alongside the chief executive of Down Royal racecourse, Emma Meehan
Newry Mourne and Down District Council kindly hosted a coffee morning in aid of The Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride Ugandan Bore Hole Fund. Cllr. Robert Burgess and Cllr. Dermot Curran welcomed guests from across the Equestrian World and other Government officials who attended.
Joan Cunningham organiser of The Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride thanked all the councillors who attended and also Barbara Ennis who organisd the catering for their kindness in hosting such an enjoyable morning.
Joan Cunningham used the coffee morning as the perfect occasion to discuss plans with Cllr. Robert Burgess for the 2020 Saintfield Horse Show. She made the announcement that the Show which has been held for the last number of years at Tyrella House will now move to an exciting new venue in Castlewellan kindly hosted by Eugene Milligan. The Show will be held on Saturday August 1st and will also be in aid of The Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride Ugandan Project Fund.