We are delighted to be back with one of our first ever special feature. The Women Equine Business Leader feature focuses on covering women running businesses that support the grassroots community. To kick this feature back off, we are starting with Fiona O’Dwyer from Calverstown Equine Services and Therapies. Fiona has a intriguing background and a fascinating story, one we couldn’t wait to tell.

So here it is, our first Women Equine Business Leader Special Feature in what seems like forever with the one and only Fiona O’Dwyer. Enjoy this, it is a brilliant read!!

Who are you and what do you do? Tell us a little about yourself.

Fiona O’Dwyer, I own a yard in Calverstown Co Kildare, where I’ve everything from x- racehorses, Connemara’s, sport horses and even a couple of goats! I spent 10 years working in the thoroughbred racing industry in Ireland and Australia, rode as an amateur in multiple races and point to points. Serious Injury forced me out of the saddle however, after 18 months of rehabilitation I ventured into the Thoroughbred breeding industry where I spent 5 years in managerial roles in Ireland and NZ before joining an equine hospital for a few years. During this time I developed an app to help equestrians look after their horses, I was a finalist in IBYE Kildare (Irelands best young entrepreneur 2017). I’ve subsequently gone out on my own in 2021 focusing on building my yard/business. For fun I compete an x-racehorse I have currently, I’m enjoying focusing on showing and dressage after an almost 10 year competitive lay off. I’d competed successfully prior to my accident, winning championships, including winning a reserve champion rosette in the RDS with Hardy Eustace in 2011, I didn’t expect to back competing after my injuries.

How did you first get involved with horses or ponies?

I grew up in Howth Co. Dublin and was always obsessed with horses, no idea where I got it from. I started riding lessons when I was 10 and got my first pony when I was 12, before moving to Kildare when I was 13. On a professional level, I met Sabrina and Buster Harty in Coilog when I was 15, I happened to say I wanted to ride racehorses and I started in D K Welds that next Saturday where I spent a year and a half on weekends and school holidays learning the ropes!

Tell us a little about your business and how it came about?

It kind of grew organically, since getting made redundant from an equine hospital in 2021 I resumed working mornings in a thoroughbred stud farm. In the afternoons I work from my yard – Calverstown Equine Services and Therapies where I breed Connemara ponies and sport horses, rehabilitate injured horses, I offer pre breaking, sales/inspection handling. Business has picked up steadily over the last year. During the winter I clip locally for a number of trainers and event yards which has kept me very busy this year. I’ve met some lovely horses and great people too. This summer I’m launching another phase of my business where I will mix mindfulness, life coaching and horses to offer equine assisted mindfulness therapy to clients. It came about while doing a positive psychology course, I was discussing mindfulness and horses with a psychologist friend, it transpired I’d been doing it for years.

What do you love most about your business? And why?

Selfishly I love knowing I’ve played a part in some success stories, I sold a pony that was selected to represent Ireland on the eventing team for the FEI European Championships ‘22. Another pony represented GB in the nations cup winning a 1.25 class in France and was 3rd in a GP this year. Even the not so successful ponies and horses, I love knowing I’ve given them a good start, they trust people and are good to work with. The same goes for horses I’ve rehabilitated; I treat every horse as if they were my own and how I’d want them to be cared for. The therapy side of the business is new but I love that breakthrough moment when clients understand just how amazing mindfulness and horses can be, I’ve received some amazing feedback.

What is your WHY, your purpose that drives you forward?

When I was working in an equine hospital, I felt there was a need for post veterinary care to help busy owners or those who found themselves not comfortable caring for a horse with temporary additional needs. My aim is to try take a proactive approach rather than a reactive approach. In terms of the assisted therapy side of the business, I’ve struggled with my mental health and while isolating over lockdown I read this quote “be who you needed when you were younger” and subsequently began down this therapy journey.

What is the biggest challenge facing our industry today?

The first thing that springs to mind is the rise of attention the anti-racing protesters are getting and their following. I love the improvements that have come about in the 18 years since I’ve been involved in racing and I feel we are always striving for better. However, if the extremists had their way there would be no horses used in any equestrian sport, this is concerning and something that as equestrians we need to unite for the good of the horse. I’m also worried about insurance for equestrian business’s! 

If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?

Many of the yards I’ve been in or jobs I’ve had I feel people that are constantly busy, over worked, they’ve some degree of stress and almost on the verge of burn out. I find they are ashamed or unwilling to speak up. Its almost a badge of honour to not take a break, the mentality is to keep on going and shut up. In my experience this results in people with short fuses with one and other and then with the horses. There is a massive issue with staff but I can’t help wonder if we’d a better work culture would more people stick working in the industry. I feel changing this toxic work narrative would be beneficial. 

What do you provide that you feel is lacking most in our industry?

I feel with the benefit of mindfulness and coaching we can change the mindset and avoid total burnout from reasons I’ve mentioned above. Before I started focusing on mindfulness and life coaching, I had people drop off their injured horses for me to look after, the humans themselves were stressed, burnt out and emotionally drained. I’d been there many times myself and over time I realised mindfulness can calm the nervous system, reduce feelings of anxiety and allow us to be more present, coaching is helpful when needing to take a forward view of a situation and this is essentially what I’m offering and why.

Tell us about how being an Equine Nurse helps you when it comes to running a yard?

I’ve learnt a lot from my role in an equine hospital which helps me run my yard in various ways from sterility and cleanliness, to bandaging, wound care, recognising stress, and subtle lameness, hoof issues, angular limb deformities and many other tips when dealing with foals and reproduction in general. But probably the greatest asset to working in the hospital was developing a great respect and empathy for my vets, their nurses and vet assists.

What are your goals for breeding?

I’ve been very lucky buying, producing, and helping source ponies. I’ve had ponies selected to represent their country show jumping and eventing for IRE and UK, I guess if I could breed a pony or a horse that could end up competing at that level, I’d be very happy indeed! Of course I’d settle for a red ribbon in Dublin.

What inspires you?

I do feel I’ve been close to rock-bottom a few times, with injuries, redundancies and other unfortunate life events, that inspires me to keep going no matter how tough things get – I’ve always managed to find a way through and grow from it.

Who Inspires you and why?

I take inspiration from many different sources, I could listen to a podcast and feel inspired by that person’s story or message, I’m also lucky I’ve incredibly successful friends that inspire and help me on a regular basis. In terms of the equestrian world, I was mesmerised by the film Ride Like A Girl – the film about Michelle Payne and her journey to becoming the first female to win the Melbourne Cup. Her story is one of resilience, determination, heart break and struggling to fit in, which I may or may not identify with!

Where can people follow your journey online or get in touch with you?

I’m on Instagram and Facebook @calverstownequineservices.