Another instalment of the "Coaches Corner" has gone live, and it's with the legend that is Christa Dillon.

Christa is an author, writer, coach, and sport horse producer that runs the uplifting page, Blackhill Eventing on socials. Her love for eventing began while watching Lucinda Green galloping through Badminton and since then has become a passionate young horse producer with vast experience and knowledge in evening and showjumping. She is the author of a wonderful book called "Red On The Right" and has written for many publications like Eventing Nation, and she recently joined Irish Country Living at the Farmers Journal as an equestrian columnist.

I really didn't want out conversation to end when we recorded, she's a wealth of knowledge and is incredibly passionate and it's really evident in the topics we covered from, the value in giving riders space and listening to them intently, ensuring we don't underestimate the importance of effective communication and language, the eventing community and so much more! Christa Instagram: https://instagram.com/christadillon3?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Blackhill Eventing on Facebook.

On this episode I had an incredible conversation with Irish international dressage rider Fenella Quinn. Fenella is currently based in Aberdeen in Scotland with a beautiful string of horses ranging from international level to exciting youngsters. Over the past number of years she's competed throughout the UK & Europe up to Grand Prix, and has clocked up wins at Premier Leagues, High Profiles and Regional Championships. Fenella is extremely passionate about the riders mental well being and we spoke in depth about the importance of reaching out for help and how we don't have to suffer mentally in order to succeed. We spoke at length about her incredible comeback after a horrific accident, the importance of discipline, being kind to yourself and so much more! Fenella's Instagram: https://instagram.com/fenellaquinndressage?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Philippa Kearns is a professional Bit and Bridle Fitting Consultant based in Co. Offaly. Having been around horses her whole life, her motivation to becoming a fitting consultant was born out of a desire to help her own horse. Pippa sought out the best training possible and became an independent LANTRA certified bit & bridle fit consultant. She is also a founding director of the Association of Professional Bit & Bridle Fitters (APBBF), which is a not-for-profit organisation set up to provide regulation within the bit and bridle fitting industry and set the gold standard for the profession. She operates nationwide, educating clients with a focus on correct biomechanics and working with the horse’s ethology to achieve maximum success alongside optimum welfare.

Facebook page: Bit & Bridle Fitting – Pippa Kearns (@bbfpk) or you can email pippa at [email protected]

Helen O' Hanlon is a fully qualified life coach, horsemanship instructor & secondary school teacher from Co. Cork. She is a member of the Association of Coaches, The British Psychological Society & a member of the Teaching Council. She holds two first class honours Masters in Education & Coaching Psychology from the University College Cork. With an extensive and impressive CV, Helen specialises in areas of confidence, resilience & problem solving. In her practice she uses a wide range of approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Coaching, mindfulness, positive psychology & Body work. Helens Instagram: https://instagram.com/helenohanloncoaching?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Helen's Website: https://www.helenohanloncoaching.com/ Helen O' Hanlon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helenohanloncoaching

In this episode I was joined by Irish international showjumper and HSI coach, Cormac Rafferty. Originally from Banbridge, Cormac produces top class young horses and coaches from his base in Tuam, Co. Galway. He has built up a solid reputation within the equine community, with experience in competing in showjumping, eventing and even racing, Cormac has spent time with Irish team vet Hugh Suffern as well as travelling around the world training with top international showjumpers in Germany, Switzerland and America. Cormac has produced and competed numerous horses at the World Breeding Championships in Lanaken and has several wins and placing in thr HSI Young Sport Horse classes as well as competing internationally up to 3* level. We touched on how to prepare horses for the World Breeding Championships, the importance of having a mentor and why preparation and communication are key things to prioritise when working with riders. Cormac's website: https://www.cormacraffertysporthorses.com/. Cormac's Instagram: https://www.cormacraffertysporthorses.com/. Cormac's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cormacraffertysporthorses

A super fun episode with three Irish international event riders, Ian Cassells, Ella Boyle and Robbie Kearns. Find out their best tips for getting sponsors, their most embarrassing moments and what their perfect day off looks like! Robbies episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Uui3jcXfLfGZSdfaq8bxx?si=7H85czWYS4STcA_wH9Xdhg&utm_source=copy-link Ella's Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1uH8THofC7QmRsd2D5XYRm?si=ra4cmsvCTUulU3oLrkow5w&utm_source=copy-link

Brendan is an inspirational coach, mentor and assessor at his base Bergin Equine in Co. Wicklow. He is one of few coaches in Ireland to hold the BHSI Performance Coach in Complete Horsemanship, IGEQ International Level 3 Coach as well as the BHS Stage 4 Senior Trail Yard Manager. Brendan is a biomechanic specialist that focuses in horse and rider centered development of all ages, disciplines and levels. In our conversation we touched on the importance of asking riders the right questions, words he stays away from when coaching, how we can manage our chimp and what he's learned from failing exams. If you would like to get in contact with Brendan: www.berginequine.com. Bergin Equine Instagram: https://instagram.com/berginequine?utm_medium=copy_link. Bergin Equine Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/berginequine/

Ann's first episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3UI945ZQ1qPBPvK0VIqUsd?si=Bp8DzsVWRt22Zp9yCTT6jQ&utm_source=copy-link On today's episode we talked a little more about veterinary topics. We covered;

🟡 The conversation surrounding whether buyers are buying the horse, or are they buying the x-rays.

🟡 Kissing spine, when it warrants surgery and the rise in demand on backs getting x-rayed for vettings.

🟡 The most important thing to get checked when buying a horse no matter the price.

🟡 Sarcoids: what they are, why they're undesirable and techniques used to remove them.

🟡 Chips, clean x-rays and the importance of conformation.

🟡 Advice for younger vets regarding the process of vetting horses and being aware of client confidentiality and phone use when on the job.

Cannot thank Ann enough as always for her time, expertise and honesty, it's so so appreciated and I really hope you enjoy!

On today's episode I'm joined by Irish International event rider, Robbie Kearns. Originally from Co. Limerick, Robbie is regularly seen in top placings at both national and international events, has represented Ireland at the Young Rider European Championships in Millstreet, and winner of the CCI1* in Tattersalls Horse Trials.

Currently based with Kevin McNab eventing, we get an insight into being part of team McNab eventing, his journey so far, a trick that helps him with nerves before cross country and so much more!

Casey Webb, an up and coming Irish Event Rider, currently based with leading Irish event riders Steven and Trevor Smith. Casey is a member of the Irish Senior High Performance Horizon Squad and has represented Ireland at a Young Rider European Championships. Her recent successes include winning the HSI 8/9 year old mare Development League on Steven Smiths “April’s Pacino Time”.

Having show jumped ponies up to Grand Prix level, she made the big switch to eventing after attending Queen’s University in Belfast where she got a first class honours in Actuarial Science. Casey's Instagram: https://instagram.com/caseywebbeventing?utm_medium=copy_link. Casey's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaseyWebbEventing/. Photo Credit: Sporting Images