Equine courses offered at Enniskillen Campus incorporate a strong practical dimension and the philosophy of ‘learning by doing’ is applied throughout all programmes. The Campus was founded in 1967 and has provided over 40 years of high quality education and training. Excellent equestrian, classroom and residential facilities exist at the Campus and at Necarne Castle and these are utilised to enable students to develop both their practical and theoretical skills in a pleasant environment.
The College racing enterprise is sited on the Enniskillen Campus, which is located within a 136 hectare rural estate and gives students invaluable experience in handling and riding racehorses in training. A specialist breeding unit, managed by the students, enables them to experience the process of managing a yard and participate in the events within a stud’s calendar.
The equitation aspects of the courses take place at Necarne Castle’s 160 hectare estate. The centre is one of the largest in Ireland and provides first class facilities for training the horse and rider at all levels as well as facilitating international and national competitions. The estate has been redeveloped to provide an impressive range of indoor and outdoor facilities. The refurbished courtyard retains a timeless reminder of the golden era of equestrianism and now houses extensive modern stabling facilities.
At Necarne Castle there is an international 3-day event cross country and steeple chase course both of which are on an all-weather track. There are stabling facilities for College and student livery horses, a horse walker, an indoor arena and warm up arena, two outdoor all-weather ménages and three all-weather grass arenas.
Students have an unique opportunity to be directly involved with the management of the College Equine Breeding Unit. The scope of the progamme allows students to develop management and organisational skills including maintaining detailed physical and financial records. The Unit also provides students with the opportunity to get hands-on experience in the daily care and handling of the broodmares and young stock. Currently there is a range of broodmares in the breeding unit including Flat and National Hunt Thoroughbred mares, Irish Sport Horse mares and a registered Irish Draught mare. Students are involved in all aspects of the stud calendar including preparation for foaling, monitoring of mares during foal watch, stallion selection and preparation of the Thoroughbred foals for the November sales.
In addition to completing their formal academic studies students on these programmes have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities, which compliment formal course work, throughout the academic year. These activities include the Campus Racing Club, the Show Jumping Club and the Equine Riding Club.
