Athlone Equestrian Centre marks 20 years in business

Athlone Equestrian Centre marked a milestone moment this month when celebrating 20 years in business.

Established in October 2006 by Claire Gaffey, the Moydrum-based amenity has been to the equestrian fore for two decades providing a high standard of horse and pony family-friendly facility in the Midlands region.

To mark the landmark occasion, Claire and her husband Eoin Coghill, hosted a celebration at Athlone Equestrian Centre at which clients, family members and friends were in attendance.

Set on over 60 acres of land in Moydrum, Athlone Equestrian Centre prides itself in providing a safe and fun-learning experience to both adults and children.

Claire and her staff, Caoimhe Guthrie, Ethan McGorisk and Niamh Heavin, welcome horse and pony riders of all levels, providing expert tuition from beginners to competition standard.

Tuition is offered in private and group settings on six days per week, from Tuesday-Sunday, with returning clients a to Athlone Equestrian Centre as it starts its third decade in business.

Athlone Equestrian Centre has 80-100 horses and ponies on site on which riders can take regular lessons. The business will also accommodate those riders who wish to hone their equestrian skills on their own mounts.

Horse and pony trekking for children and families is also a service provided by Claire and her staff at Athlone Equestrian Centre.

A prominent feature of Athlone Equestrian Centre is the cross-country course which is used all year round. It features over 100 obstacles of varying heights which Claire said makes it "appealing to those starting out on the cross country circuit" and "seasoned campaigners alike". Complementing the cross-country course is a showjumping arena and sand arena, both of which are popular amenities at the equestrian facility.

Athlone Equestrian Centre also provides a livery service whereby Claire and her staff care for horses and ponies at the business, catering for the animals' stable and grazing needs.

Equestrian Centre hopes to continue to grow its offering

As Athlone Equestrian Centre looks to the future, chief amongst its owner Claire Gaffey's aspirations is to further develop the facilities on offer at its Moydrum base.

To that end, a four-week equine therapy course has now been added to the list of services provided at Athlone Equestrian Centre.

The therapeutic riding programme, aimed at supporting the mental, emotional, physical and developmental goals of participants, has proved to be a welcome addition to the equine services at the centre.

Claire said the programme continues to have a "positive effect" on the participating children.

"It's just amazing to see the children's reactions when they are in the company of horses and ponies for a period of time. It is powerful to see," Claire added.

While continuing to develop and promote new services and programmes at Athlone Equestrian Centre, Claire has also taken time to reflect on young riders who started their equestrian journey in Moydrum, many of whom have contested for honours at the annual Dublin Horse show in the RDS.

Claire recalled riders such as Chloe Fenton, Grace Claffey, Ellen McLoughlin, Kate Lawlor, Lucy Donnelly and Sophie Dolan-Harte who gained and sustained a love for equestrian sport at Athlone Equestrian Centre.

The young riders, she said, have continued to flourish in their equestrianism career and it fills her with pride to see them perform on both local and national stages.

"It's credit to the young riders that they have had a successful riding career to date and to have played a role in their development is a positive for our business," Claire added.

This development, Claire said, is due to the "welcoming community" at Athlone Equestrian Centre, which she added is "central" to the future of the business.

Centre owner reflects on her equestrian journey to date

As Athlone Equestrian Centre celebrates 20 years in business, its founder and owner, Claire Gaffey, reflected on her journey to date.

Equestrian pursuits have been a constant in her life and since opening Athlone Equestrian Centre in October 2006, she has grown the business to provide a family-friendly service on a site in Moydrum, a mere three miles outside of Athlone.

Reflecting on her two-decade Athlone Equestrian Centre journey, Claire is grateful to her clients who travel from all across the region to avail of the on-site facilities.

"The business has grown to reflect the increasing number of clients who regularly use Athlone Equestrian Centre. I am grateful to all our clients who have been with us since I opened the business in October 2006. Without their support, it would have been difficult to sustain Athlone Equestrian Centre as we look towards the future," Claire said.

Horses and ponies are an integral feature of the business and Claire has continued to develop services which appeal to all equine lovers.

Equine amenities include private and group tuition classes, horse and pony treks, a livery service, while clients also have access to a cross-country course, showjumping arena and sand-based track.

Claire takes pride in the service she and her three staff continue to provide to the Midlands community.

"We are continuously looking at ways to develop and and build the business. We are open to the public six days a week and thankfully, I have staff working in the business who all enjoy working with our clients," Claire said.

Since 2020, Claire has bred seven to 10 mares and Athlone Equestrian Centre now has 80-100 horses and ponies on site for use by its clients. The business also caters for families who don't have the facilities to rear their own horses and ponies, housing their animals at Athlone Equestrian Centre.

Claire said operating costs remain an issue, but she is grateful to offer a number of equine services, which she, added, allow for the business to continue.

The recent 20th anniversary celebration allowed Claire and husband, Eoin, to give back to all those who have supported the business to date.