FOR as long as he can remember, Andrew O’Dwyer’s two greatest passions have been education and horses, and he admits to feeling incredibly fortunate to have built a career that allows him to combine both. These two main interests led him down the path of firstly attending Kildalton College, gaining his BHS coaching qualifications, and then training to become a secondary school teacher.

While these might seem like two distinct roles, according to O’Dwyer they complement each other hugely. O’Dwyer’s work in the classroom sharpened his ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively, while his experience as a coach honed his ability to adapt to the needs of individuals with varying levels of experience and confidence.

Today’s schedule started as usual, with a cup of coffee in hand and a quick check of emails to organise what lay ahead. I then made my way to one of the classrooms to deliver a BHS theory session. This lesson covered feeding and nutrition. After discussing the digestive system and considerations when feeding horses, we went out to the yard and used the weigh tape and scales to evaluate the horses’ condition. Seeing the students apply their knowledge in a hands-on way with the horses is so rewarding, and it really brings the concepts to life for them.

After break, I had a show jumping lesson to teach with Level 5 students. We set up a related distance today and the students helped set up and walk distances before tacking up. The students are learning to adapt to a number of different horses and their way of going. We are lucky enough to have loan horses from all parts of the country for students to train with. These include Kildalton-bred horses, some of which were broken by past pupils in their second year of the course.

The afternoon was a quieter but productive one, as I focused on correcting Anatomy and Physiology assignments, along with planning tomorrow’s ride list. These tasks are enjoyable, as they add variety to the day.

Careers events

We then had a staff meeting to plan upcoming careers events and discussed upcoming placement for the Level 6 Stud Management students. We also reflected on the first semester and some external events that were held in the college and of great value to the students. These included a Dressage Ireland Gala and the Irish Shows Association judge’s assessment day.

The students really enjoyed a clinic with Kildalton graduate, Geoff Curran, and we spent time brainstorming events for the coming semester.

Lecturing at Kildalton College provides me with the perfect platform to bring together both practical teaching and working in the classroom. Every day is different, and that’s one of the aspects of my job that I love the most. One moment, I might be teaching a class on anatomy and physiology, diving into the intricacies of how a horse’s body functions and what it takes to maintain peak health and performance. The next, I could be out in the yard, teaching students how to manage stables efficiently, care for tack, or deal with common equine health issues. Then, of course, the daily dressage, show jumping and cross-country training, where I help students refine their technique and develop their confidence in the saddle.

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is watching the students grow. Whether it’s seeing a student develop in their riding, gaining a deeper understanding of rider biomechanics on the simulator, or develop the leadership skills needed to run a yard, each bit of progress reminds me why I do what I do. The equine industry can be demanding, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.

Being a lecturer at Kildalton College also allows me to stay connected to the broader equestrian community.

The college’s reputation as a hub of equine education attracts a diverse range of students, staff and industry professionals, providing endless opportunities for collaboration and learning. One of the Teagasc core values ‘striving for excellence’ has meant that CPD is highly supported and encouraged, as I continue training through the BHS exams.

It is inspiring to be part of a Kildalton team that is so passionate about horses and education, and I’m constantly learning from my colleagues and students alike.