THE Association of Irish Riding Establishments (AIRE) celebrated 50 years in existence this year and were joined to celebrate this milestone by previous chairmen and their guests in the President’s Room at the Royal Dublin Society on Sunday of the Dublin Horse Show.

The Association has been visiting centres for the past 50 years, ensuring the safety of clients and welfare of animals is at the forefront. Personnel require garda vetting, safeguarding and first aid certificates, together with equine instructor qualifications to be approved by AIRE.

The morning was opened by John Dardis, President of the RDS, who spoke about the importance of bodies like AIRE, who nurture young talent in the equestrian world and are producing the next generation of competitors, who we might see on the national and international stage. Flor Madden, Chairman of the RDS Equestrian Committee, was in attendance, having assisted Rita Dunne of Kells Equestrian Centre with the format of the day.

William Micklem continued proceedings, giving a brief history of the association, which commenced on April 19th 1974, with the Memorandum of Articles being signed by seven directors: Ms Jane Kennedy, Ms Iris Kellett, Capt Patrick Connolly Carew, Capt Ian Hume Dudgeon, Mr James Willoughby, Mr Sean Finlay and Mr Ernie Evans.

Micklem spoke about how people are “starting their journeys in riding schools, and many reaching the highest level in their chosen equine activity, from dressage to racing and all activities in between”. In particular, he spoke about Paralympian Michael Murphy, “who is preparing for the Paralympics in France next week with his partner Clever Boy, having won a silver medal at last year’s European Championships. Michael started riding at the age of four with an RDA group riding a Shetland pony called Flossie.”

Charles Hanley and Horse Sport Ireland CEO Denis Duggan at AIRE's 50 year celebration on Sunday at the Dublin Horse Show

To honour the service of the previous Chairmen of AIRE, a certificate of appreciation was presented by Denis Duggan, CEO of Horse Sport Ireland. Proceedings then moved to the Horse Sport Ireland stand in the Main Hall for a panel discussion led by Ian Gaughran, Media and Communications manager at HSI. To complete the day, William Micklem addressed the crowd in the Main Arena.