It is probable that the announcement of The Grassroots Riders Academy has come as a surprise to many people. The first of its kind in Ireland, this academy will change the course of Irish equestrianism forever.

Ireland was in dire need of an educational yet entertaining series surrounding horses and has been for a very long time. This series will provide once in a lifetime opportunity for the Irish equestrian community and truly will be unmatched in terms of high-profile trainers and the level of coaching will be second to none, needless to say. As no one else had taken the leap and introduced something similar to The Grassroots Riders Academy, The Grassroots Gazette decided that they would be the group to do so. As the saying goes, “If you want something done, do it yourself!” 

The academy provides, to Irish equestrians, a very necessary sense of modernization, by way of huge media presence and consistent coverage, as well as having the academy live streamed. I feel that the commencement of this academy will have a huge effect on the whole of the equestrian community and as it really is the first of its kind; I feel that it will only grow in popularity, not that it has at all lacked in this area thus far!

The selected riders will receive a number of training sessions, having the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience and also to improve under the watchful eyes of the top trainers that our sport has to offer 

The chosen riders now embark on a once in a lifetime journey. This academy, as the first of its kind in Ireland, is undoubtedly bringing insurmountable opportunities to Ireland, which are unfortunately not always readily available to normal people like you or I. This is one of the very reasons this Academy has been established. Top training opportunities, for the Grassroots, brought to you by the grassroots. 

Boasting a jaw dropping line up of Geoff Billington, Lucinda Fredericks, Joseph Murphy, Heike Holstein and Dane Rawlings, the opportunity that this academy offers is simply second to none especially when you add in some of the guest speakers and mindset specialists. Our successful candidates certainly are lucky!  

I am also hugely excited to say that of the nine successful applicants, an astounding seven of them are women. As a self-proclaimed advocate for girls and women in our equestrian community, it makes me inexplicably happy and proud to see such a volume of female applicants, and of course to have so many wonderful women selected for the academy. The successful applicants went through what can only be described as a rigorous and competitive selection process, having to submit things such as written pieces about themselves, competition videos and of course a video of them talking directly to the camera.

All of these components were necessary for the application because of how closely they related to what the academy consists of. We have certainly made good decisions and have chosen a lovely group of people who will make the first season of The Grassroots Rider Academy an enjoyable one!