20 March 2009

Enniskillen Campus students welcomed twenty two industry representatives to their annual Careers Day. Included were Darley, Baileys, Spillers, Intervet, Horseware, Fort Dodge, Irish Field, Russell Harold (Farrier) and Kanteq. Industry bodies Horse Sport Ireland, BHS, Irish Racehorse Trainers Association, ITBA, NIHB, Turf Club and Prince’s Trust also attended. The students were particularly pleased to see no less than seven Enniskillen Graduates including Rachel McGuigan of Bluegrass Horse Feeds, Liam Killen of Abbeyview Equine and Anthony O’Donnell of Horse Racing Ireland. These three were joined by Paraic Dolan of Coolmore Stud in a seminar and each gave an interesting perspective on their careers.

Rachel combines her work in Bluegrass with riding out for successful Caledon racehorse trainer Andy Oliver. She emphasised the importance of her education at Enniskillen, her experiences in Dubai and attributes such as dedication and flexibility in securing her position. Rachel’s role as Marketing Coordinator at Bluegrass requires her to establish strong industry links and keep up to date with the latest scientific developments in nutrition. She encouraged the current students to make the most of their opportunities and to develop as wide a range of skills as possible.

Enniskillen Campus places great importance on preparing equine students for their future career of choice. The students valued their contact with each of the professionals that attended their seminar and concluded with a rousing vote of thanks.

Wendy McCaughan, proprietor of Kanteq Ltd (Killinchy, Co Down), demonstrates the benefits of her new innovative body protector for female riders to CAFRE students at the recent Equine Careers fair, held at Enniskillen Campus. From left: Megan Anderson, (Courtmacsherry, Co Cork) and Sarah Donald (Gilford, Craigavon).

CAFRE Foundation Degree students Carol-Ann Sloan (Kilkeel), Keri Marden (Limavady) , Gemma Scott (Kircubbin) and Orla Lyons (Monkstown, Dublin) in discussion with Judy Maxwell from Baileys Horse Feeds, at the Equine Careers Fair at Enniskillen Campus.

Susan Irwin (British Horse Society), speaking with Degree students Amy McGuckin (Castlederg), Shauna Boyle (Strabane ) and Thoma Brosnan (Tralee ,Co Kerry) during the Equine Careers fair at Enniskillen Campus.

CAFRE Foundation Degree students Laura Shettle (Derry), Megan Quinn (Ballyshannon, Donegal) and Alicia Scott (Mountcharles, Donegal) in discussion with Pauric Dolan of Coolmore (Co. Tipperary), at the Equine careers fair at Enniskillen Campus

Kevin Boyd (Schering Plough Animal Health) in discussion with CAFRE students Julie McConkey (Belfast) and Lisa Dunne (Derry) during the Equine careers fair at Enniskillen Campus.

CAFRE students Clair Grossart (West Lothian, Scotland), Darren Cooney (Co Cavan) and Ebony Beckett (Moira) at the spillers stand with David Mathers, during the Equine careers fair at Enniskillen Campus.

Enniskillen students Natasha Flood, Zoe Cordner and Kerri Pitman with Brendan McArdle of the Irish Field

Rachel McGuigan of Bluegrass Horse Feeds chats to Enniskillen students Sadie Henry, Aoife Thompson and Michaela McFarland