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CAFRE Equine students receive financial awards

March 12, 2026

Equine students attended a ceremony hosted at CAFRE’s Cookstown campus to formally present Bursary Awards. Over the years CAFRE’s Equine students have benefitted greatly from the generous support and close partnerships built with industry professionals across Ireland and beyond, established through Enniskillen Campus.

The 2025 – 2026 Industry Support programme at Enniskillen Campus awarded £24,000 to Equine students pursuing Certificate of Higher Education, Foundation Degree, and Bachelor’s Honours Degree courses.

Addressing the audience at the Industry Support Programme presentation event, interim CAFRE Director, Paul McHenry remarked, “The Equine sector operates on an all-island basis and is a vibrant and growing sector of the economy. Today we are delighted to welcome key Equine industry representatives to the college and acknowledge the international partnerships we have developed with businesses who are part of our programme but are unable to be present to celebrate with us today.”

This year sixteen businesses generously offered support to Equine Management students studying Ulster University validated courses at CAFRE, Enniskillen Campus. They included; Coolmore Stud, Danske Bank, Derrinstown Stud, Downpatrick Racecourse, The Gerry Dilger Foundation, Godolphin, Horse Racing Ireland, Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Juddmonte Ireland, Pearse Lyons Ace Foundation, Show Jumping Ireland, The Irish Field, The Vaughan Trust, Tinnakill House Stud, Tyrone Farming Society and Ulster Carpets.

Hayley Anderson from Westmeath was awarded the Coolmore bursary.
Hayley Anderson from Westmeath was awarded the Coolmore bursary.
Rosie Kane presented the Derrinstown Stud bursary to Libby Beirne from Kildare at the awards event at CAFRE.
Rosie Kane presented the Derrinstown Stud bursary to Libby Beirne from Kildare at the awards event at CAFRE.
Molly Murray from Belfast was presented with the Downpatrick Racecourse bursary by Ruth Morrison.
Molly Murray from Belfast was presented with the Downpatrick Racecourse bursary by Ruth Morrison.
The Gerry Dilger Foundation travel bursary was presented to Faith Black from Newtownards
The Gerry Dilger Foundation travel bursary was presented to Faith Black from Newtownards
Helen Sharp presented The Irish Field travel bursary to Sinead McKeon at the Industry Support programme.
Helen Sharp presented The Irish Field travel bursary to Sinead McKeon at the Industry Support programme.
Godolphin travel bursary was presented by Ciara Devitt to Nadia Donnelly from Omagh at the Industry Support awards event.
Godolphin travel bursary was presented by Ciara Devitt to Nadia Donnelly from Omagh at the Industry Support awards event.
Jane Elliott, CAFRE Head of Equine presented the Horse Racing Ireland bursary to Erin Donaghy.
Jane Elliott, CAFRE Head of Equine presented the Horse Racing Ireland bursary to Erin Donaghy.
Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association was presented to Erin Reid by Peter O’Reilly at the Bursary Awards event.
Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association was presented to Erin Reid by Peter O’Reilly at the Bursary Awards event.
Tinnakill House Stud bursary was presented to Katie Bell from Wicklow.
Tinnakill House Stud bursary was presented to Katie Bell from Wicklow.
Claudia McAvennie from Ballymoney was presented with the Danske Bank bursary from Seamus McCormick at the Industry Support awards event.
Claudia McAvennie from Ballymoney was presented with the Danske Bank bursary from Seamus McCormick at the Industry Support awards event.
Tyrone Farming Society bursary was presented by Gerry McFarland to Ava Stubbs from Clogher.
Tyrone Farming Society bursary was presented by Gerry McFarland to Ava Stubbs from Clogher.
Alan Warnock presented The Vaughan Trust bursary to Shauna Gillen from Belleek at the Industry Support awards event.
Alan Warnock presented The Vaughan Trust bursary to Shauna Gillen from Belleek at the Industry Support awards event.
Michaela Doran from Downpatrick was presented with the Ulster Carpets bursary by Jane Elliott, Head of Equine, Enniskillen Campus
Michaela Doran from Downpatrick was presented with the Ulster Carpets bursary by Jane Elliott, Head of Equine, Enniskillen Campus
Show Jumping Ireland bursary was presented by Neal Doherty to Aoibheann Brady from Navan.
Show Jumping Ireland bursary was presented by Neal Doherty to Aoibheann Brady from Navan.

Many of these organisations have been long standing supporters of the CAFRE Bursary programme offering tangible support to Equine students. “I am delighted that this year six of the bursaries awarded have been allocated to support students as they travel to learn more about equine businesses and their operations in Belgium”, commented Gayle Moane, Lecturer at Enniskillen Campus.

“At CAFRE, our partnership with the equine industry is something we’re incredibly proud of. It shows just how powerful collaboration can be. By working side‑by‑side with industry professionals, we make sure our students gain the real‑world skills and confidence they need to thrive in a fast‑moving equine world. Together, we’re shaping the next generation of equine talent,” commented Jane Elliott, Head of Equine at Enniskillen Campus.  

If you are interested in studying Equine and want to connect with a college who can help set your career off to a flying start, apply now to study Equine at Enniskillen Campus. For information on CAFRE’s Equine courses click here.

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