THE Equine Science faculty in the University of Limerick has now been running for almost 30 years and has produced many who have gone on to make their mark in the equestrian world.

Fitting in with their educational schedule, but invariably clashing with Punchestown, saw this year’s crop of final year students present their projects before their peers, a panel of judges and an invited audience, myself among them.

Among the distinguished past graduates of the course are the all-conquering NH jockey Rachael Blackmore, Sarah Gildea, Senior R&D Scientist at Randox and Michael Hardy, Head of Sales at Goffs Ireland, while Minster for State at the Department of Agriculture, Dr Pippa Hackett did her PhD there.

This was the culmination of four years study covering all aspects of equestrianism ranging from equine reproduction, nutrition, bloodstock management, right up to and including riding at Clonshire Equestrian under the eagle eye of Amy Fitzgerald, herself a Horse Sport Ireland Level 2 Coach and British Horse Society AI instructor, which enables her to combine tacit knowledge in teaching practice, along with academic exploration.

Judging were Professor Brigid Younge, Course Director BSc Equine Science, Professor Tom Buckley, Professor Ann Cullinane, Lecturer in Equine Health and Disease, Equine Health and Environmental Management, Soraya Morcher, senior Equine Science teacher, Horse Sport Ireland Level 2 coach and coach tutor and equestrian coach Amy Fitzgerald.

Holding a watching brief were Professor Sean Fair, Head of Department of Biological Sciences and Paraic McNamara MRCVS, Lecturer in Equine Anatomy and Physiology and Equine Reproduction.

Subjects covered ranged from a very interesting study of medicinal drug use in thoroughbred racing in USA to effects of surgical intervention on limb deformities on future thoroughbred performance.

Adjudged the well deserved winner was the paper presented by Jayne Redmond, who comes from Kilkee in Co Clare, with her work entitled “Risk management and risk perception in the thoroughbred industry”.

Based on a survey in no less than eight bloodstock producing countries, she provided insights into the multifaceted risks faced by the thoroughbred industry and the strategies used to manage these risks. Jayne did her placement at Lanes End stud farm in Kentucky, USA, which she got by receiving the Gerry Dilger scholarship.

A close second came the very well presented and thought provoking paper by Jake Draper on the profitability of first season TB sires. Jake did his placement spending eight months at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.

Joint third were the papers from Alanah Sheahan on the effect of exposure of pregnant mares to monochromatic light and Padraig Kehoe’s study of Yearling sales in Australia, New Zealand and Ireland.

This course gives an excellent grounding to young equestrian-minded students regardless of where their career in the world of the horse may take them. We can but wish each and every one a brilliant career going forward. Hopes are high for an early decision on the new veterinary faculty and that University of Limerick will be its new home.