08 July 2010

Amy McGuckin from Castlederg has just graduated with her BSc (Hons) in Equine Management. She completed the three year course at the Enniskillen Campus of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE). After completing her A-levels, Amy wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. She knew that she wanted to go to University to get an honours degree. But Amy also had a passion for horses. So the BSc (Hons) in Equine Management at Enniskillen was the ideal opportunity to allow her to get a degree in a subject area which really interested her.

Amy found the programme initially daunting but with help from the excellent teaching staff based in one of Ireland’s leading equine educational providers, she soon gained confidence in the subject material being covered.

The first year of her course gave Amy a foundation in all essential aspects of managing equines, including riding and their stable care. The second year entailed managing the breeding yard and all the factors associated with it, such as foal sales preparation, stallion selection and foaling down duties. This provided Amy with significant experience and helped her develop her contacts in the breeding industry which she found to be very beneficial with regards to her potential career options. Finally in third year, Amy’s year group helped to manage the racing unit which developed her knowledge of record keeping, feeding and health management of the horses. As well, of course, as getting to attend a few races.  

Overall, Amy found the course was a brilliant step into the equine industry as it opens numerous career options in the future. Furthermore, in today’s economic climate, Amy believes that this course can provide her with  some key advantages such as an appropriate academic grounding combined with a wide range of undergraduate experience which are now required for many jobs in this very important industry.  

Enniskillen Campus is holding a Careers Advice Evening on Thursday 26 August at 7pm. If you are considering a career in the equine industry then come along and find out more about our courses and potential careers in the equine industry or alternatively check out all the courses offered by CAFRE on our website.

Amy McGuckin who graduated recently from Enniskillen Campus with a BSc (Hons) Degree in Equine Management with “ISHD First Light” and her foal “Minstrel”.