Valley View Equestrian Centre

11/09/2024

FOR SALE. Gooseberry Hill Gibraltar. 4th in the EI90 Nat Chams, Kilguilkey House Eventing Ireland , 3rd in EI90 ( T) in Clyda. Eventing Ireland - Munster Region, Eventing Ireland - Youths . Super Step. Lots of scope to go up the grades. Rocky is a 5yr old Traditional Irish Horses. . Lovely young Event horse. 15.3hh Grey Gelding. Well produced Burke Ott Showing great promise for his future career. He is an easy horse to ride. Hacks out on his own and in company. Easy for another family member/ friend to exercise when his eventing rider is busy. He has had days out at Hillcrest Equestrian Centre on a few occasions at arena eventing at Kilguilkey House . Both Scarteen Event Horses and Hunt Arena Events. Show jumping at varioius venues, Sceilig Sport Horses , Banner, Millstreet Horse Show, For more Info contact Janet Burke 0879883167.

30/08/2024

27/08/2024

09/08/2024

113 road fatalities as of 31 July 2024.
Cork and Dublin recorded the highest number of road deaths by county in 2024.
Let’s work together and make our roads safer for everyone. Together, we can make a difference.

08/08/2024

08/08/2024

Lilly. Grey Mare. ( passport says grey, she has some spots) 19yr old 14.2hh pony. Loves to jump. Has done show jumping and Cross Country. Plenty of life in her still, and she is just not getting enough work here, and enjoys days out. Suit a child who is moving up from a smaller pony and is already able to canter and jump. Great pony for 80cm/ 90cm. She jumps to 105cm in training but not fully fit at the moment and Id rather see her able to enjoy her job at the 80cm/ 90cm level. She was in Sceilig at the inter schools earlier this year and recently at a 2 phase in Hillcrest. Not for beginners unless led. She had done plenty of hacking out. Quiet to catch, Clip, shoe and in traffic. Will be the same whether ridden regularly or only every so often. Sound and healthy. Lives out in the summer in a mixed herd and in a barn in the winter. Has done Fun rides/ hunting but does not like to que. Enquiries to Janet on 0879883167 More photos and videos will be added soon, or whats app me on 0879883167 and Ill send them on. Pony can be tried here on site over show jumps, cross country .

08/08/2024

Lilly. Grey Mare. ( passport says grey, she has some spots) 19yr old 14.2hh pony. Loves to jump. Has done show jumping and Cross Country. Plenty of life in her still, and she is just not getting enough work here, and enjoys days out. Suit a child who is moving up from a smaller pony and is already able to canter and jump. Great pony for 80cm/ 90cm. She jumps to 105cm in training but not fully fit at the moment and Id rather see her able to enjoy her job at the 80cm/ 90cm level. She was in Sceilig at the inter schools earlier this year and recently at a 2 phase in Hillcrest. Not for beginners unless led. She had done plenty of hacking out. Quiet to catch, Clip, shoe and in traffic. Will be the same whether ridden regularly or only every so often. Sound and healthy. Lives out in the summer in a mixed herd and in a barn in the winter. Has done Fun rides/ hunting but does not like to que. Enquiries to Janet on 0879883167 Pony can be tried here on site over show jumps, cross country . Located near Newmarket, Co. Cork IRL.

04/08/2024

06/07/2024

Reminder! The grace period for back protectors finished on 1st July. This means that only the BETA 2018 standard is permitted at Eventing Ireland competitions and training.

17/06/2024

Lungeing sessions should not last longer than 20 minutes. Here’s why:

• Horses did not evolve to move in circles.
• Lungeing is hard work on the horse’s joints, tendons and muscles.
• Overwork on the lunge (or any situation) can cause pain, injury, discomfort and fatigue.

According to Australian researchers, ‘In an 18-m diameter round-pen, approximately 20 circuits equal 1 km. In just 20 minutes of lunging or round-pen work, a horse may cover around 5 km in distance which, as we postulate, poses musculoskeletal risks due to the constant circular track. Therefore, round-pen/lunging sessions exceeding 20 minutes should be avoided’ (https://tinyurl.com/CuttingTheChase).

For more recommendations about lungeing for horse welfare and rider safety, download Pony Club Australia’s NEW Lungeing Guidelines https://tinyurl.com/lungeing

29/05/2024

Well done to Zara Burke Ott and Gooseberry Hill Cruise. Qualified for RDS Dublin Horse Show. Gooseberry Hill Horses .

17/05/2024

Just a reminder to those of you who know and info for those who don't: Please pass horses (whether ridden or driven or being lead) at speeds under 10 mph and at least 6 1/2 feet. When horses spook, they tend to jump into the road instead of away. Please stay safe.

01/05/2024

BY PONYMOMAMMY I am firmly in the camp of never blaming the horse/pony when things go wrong. This concept has been engrained in me since I first put a foot in the stirrup, and I hold strong to that belief today. Sometimes I wonder if this mentality is universal for all equestrians, and if it […]

26/04/2024

ALERT. People are getting calls from my number that are NOT from me. Valley View Equestrian Centre is coming up on their phone. Just be caution if you don't usually get calls or messages from me.

17/04/2024

16/04/2024

13/04/2024

🤕 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝! 🤕

In the recent webinar with GP, Dr Linsey Mason, we spoke about concussion. As a common injury among Eventers, do we know how to spot it?

Anyone can suffer from concussion, but woman are more than TWICE as likely to suffer than men, while youths from 11-24 take DOUBLE the length of time to recover.

With only 10% of concussion leading to loss of consciousness, it’s important to know the 6 types and symptoms (see graphic.)

If Concussion is suspected you must STOP riding or taking part in any other horse related activities. A gradual return to riding is recommended based on symptoms. It is very important to initially rest for 48 hours at least.

It also means taking time out from looking at your phone to give your brain time to recover!

Recent guidance recommends slow exercise off your horse, monitor your symptoms and gradually return to the saddle over 2 weeks. Do not return to full riding until 21 days. By doing this you decrease the risk of 2nd Impact Syndrome, which can occur if injury occurs within 3 weeks of a past concussion and can be very serious.

Currently under EI rules:
• Anyone who is suspected of having concussion will be given a leaflet from the medical officer on site and will not be permitted to ride for the rest of the day
• If sent to hospital with trauma or suspected concussion, the athlete must get a discharge letter from the hospital and send to Dr Mary Flannery
• If sent home from an event with suspected concussion, the athlete must notify their own GP immediately and see them again in 21 days to ensure they are fit to compete and have sufficiently recovered. The return to competition note should be sent to Dr Mary (See Rule 18.3)
• If an athlete has been stood down, they will be suspended from any EI competition or training for a period of 21 days – and that includes suspension from riding at any events, including other affiliate events.

For more info: https://www.britishequestrian.org.uk/other-pages/concussion

03/04/2024

Dear Members

Please find a link below which will allow you to make a submission to the Department of Transport relating to the Road Safety Authority Consultation that is ongoing.

Many of you may already be aware of it and may have made submissions already. There is a review of the RSA in progress and this review is being undertaken to make recommendations on the future structure and operation of the Authority, including potential legislative changes, to ensure it delivers a high-quality service in the years ahead.

In June 2023 HSI with Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), the RSA, and An Garda Síochána produced a series of videos to inform motorists how to share the roads safely with horse riders. Details of that partnership can be found on the HSI website HERE and the RSA website HERE. In addition to that particular campaign HSI also partnered with the RSA on the development of booklet titled “Horse Road Safety on Public Roads”. You can find a copy of that booklet HERE.

Information on the review being carried out by the Dept of Transport including a submission document can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/bd619-call-for-submissions-review-of-road-safety-authority/. I would ask that you share this with your membership in order to ensure that they have the opportunity to have their voices heard ahead of the deadline of the 5th of April.

11/03/2024

Hugo is a 146cm 15yr old Dun Gelding. He has a dorsal strip and zebra stripes on back of his legs.My Daughter has Hugo 3 years and he has been an ideal...

01/03/2024

Well worth a read by the riding school pupils and their Parents

One of my biggest frustrations in this industry is the lack of understanding and consideration for the role that Riding School horses play. So often, I see riders complaining about Riding School horses for a huge variety of reasons: for their perceived lack of quality or value, for having to ride one they don’t like, for not getting to ride the one they do like, for their establishment not having enough Riding School horses, or for the Riding School horses not being available at their convenience. Riding school horses not being good enough for them. I’ve dealt with all of the above and I know I’ll continue to do so, but I think it’s important that people understand the reality of Riding School horses, and that’s that they aren’t here for you/your kid to ride forever and climb the levels with your one lesson a week fortnightly commitment.

They’re here to get you started, safely and productively, while you decide just how far you want to take this.

Riding School horses are incredibly special creatures. They have to be easily caught by beginners who don’t know how to properly approach a prey animal.

They have to stand like statues on the crossties while tiny kids take the better part of an hour to get them clean.

They have to hold their head still while beginners jam the bit into their teeth for the fiftieth time in a row to put the bridle on.

They have to stand still at the mounting block while someone stands for too long with all their weight in the left stirrup and then slams down on their back with no consideration for their comfort.

They tolerantly teach riders who are unbalanced, uncoordinated, and unclear, who catch their mouths and bounce on their backs and kick at their sides, and every single time, they are expected to just come again without so much as a swish of their tail or pinning of their ears.

And any time one of these horses has a moment where they act like a regular horse or force the rider to really ride, they’re labeled annoying or rude or bad or lazy or whatever.

Riding School horses are not intended to take you up the levels and jump big jumps and win all the classes. If these horses were this beginner-friendly and this tolerant AND the hack winner with an auto lead change, you couldn’t afford them!

That’s not to say these horses can’t be winners if you ride them well and pull your weight, but their ability to win in the show ring is not where their real value lies.

Riding School horses exist to bring new riders into the sport. To teach them the ropes and get them started, lay a foundation and prepare them to make a bigger commitment to the sport by leasing or purchasing the next step horse.

Riding School horses are not responsible for chasing your Olympic dreams for you.

They’re responsible for getting them started in the first place.

For riders to act like a Riding School horse isn’t valuable because he isn’t the winner in any company or harder to ride is ignorant and unfair.

Every horse you ride has something to teach you. Whether it’s the crotchety old school pony who likes to root when you’re not paying attention, or the younger lesson horse who will only pick up the right lead if you ask *just right*, or the ultra reliable skip-change king, they all will add to your toolkit that you can one day apply to the fancier model you get to take you to the next level after yout Riding Scool Journey.

Don’t forget about all the lessons you learn along the way and remember that without Riding School horses, you wouldn’t be riding at all!

Riding School owners are trying their best to provide the best services they can and keep the Riding School horses in the good condition. Horses are extremely expensive not just to buy but to keep aswell. Utilities, Mortgage/Rent, Vets bills, Feed, Haylage, Bedding, Vaccinations, Farrier, Wormers, Staff Wages, Physio, Saddler and so much more the list is endless no one sees how much it all costs to keep a yard running, no one sees full behind the scenes.

They are trying the best they can, it's not just a job to them it's their world their passion and the Riding School horses are their babies they are their family.

16/02/2024

Hugo is a 146cm 15yr old Dun Gelding. He has a dorsal strip and zebra stripes on back of his legs. My Daughter has Hugo 3 years and he has been an ide...

01/01/2024

Sat 30th Dec. Last Ride out of 2023.

01/01/2024

Happy new Year from all at Valley View Equestrian Centre , Gooseberry Hill Horses .

22/12/2023

Happy Christmas to our Clients, helpers, students, workaways, and Family. Hope ye all have a lovely Christmas.

13/12/2023

📣📣 FEI Pony Measuring 2024 📣📣

⬇️ FEI Pony measuring portal now open ⬇️
https://www.horsesportireland.ie/fei-pony-measuring-2024-portal-now-open/

12/12/2023

⭐️THE FINAL⭐️

The final of the Equiratings Horse of the Year 2023 has arrived, and it is gearing up for an exciting final between two exceptional greys: Colorado Blue and Ballagmor Class. Voting ends on 14th December, so don't forget to vote.

Vote here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe1UbBcgtBwqKLnCwNjktJAn2nJcQrxq4zqw6wYvPSd8efVbw/viewform?fbclid=IwAR2kMLVrLORh03SLRxahYZqwvLQ0rgZYBx10qmoGROPYv9neDzyW8Rd1ZVc