The Fettercairn Youth Horse Project (FYHP) were absolutely delighted to win South Dublin County Council’s Social Inclusion Award at an award ceremony in the Red Cow Hotel on the 11th December 2015.

Ann Keogan, Equine and Training Manager, receiving the South Dublin Community Endeavour Social Inclusion Award 2015 from the Mayor of South Dublin, Sarah Holland and the Senior Community Officer, Paul McAlerney

The award was one of twelve categories in the South Dublin Community Endeavour Award 2015.

Ann Keogan, Equine and Training Manager, Colette Needham, FYHP Administrator and Sabrina Layden, the “ Most Improved Member of the FYHP this year” admiring the South Dublin Community Endeavour Social Inclusion Award 2015

The award was based on the currently running equine programme, The West Tallaght Schools Equestrian Initiative. This is a programme designed to firstly, introduce a large number of children in the West Tallaght area to the possibility of enjoying the whole equine experience and secondly, to provide a pathway for progression in the sport in an inclusive, supportive and developmental environment.

The Initiative has two areas of focus:

Firstly, the delivery of Introductory / Taster sessions for 165 students from St Thomas’, St Marks & St Maelruains Church of Ireland primary school (funded by The Ireland Fund) and from St Bridget’s NS, St Anne’s & St Aidans NS (funded by the Growing Community Roots programme). This part of the programme is already complete.

Secondly the delivery of a Progressive Equitation Programme using AIRE (Association of Irish Riding Establishments) basic levels for 20 participants selected from two schools with whom we have worked previously, St Anne’s & St Aidan’s (funded by The Ireland Fund). The AIRE part of the programme commences early in the New Year.