IQHA Western Demonstration in Mullingar Equestrian Centre!

The Irish Quarter Horse Association Clg. (IQHA) was delighted to take part in the recent Irish Pony Club Camp Week held at the Mullingar Equestrian Centre, where members from clubs including: Longford, Leitrim, Sligo, and South Westmeath branches gathered for a fantastic week of learning and fun.

A highlight of the camp? The Western riding demo that captured the imagination of both youth and adult members alike!

Pictured: Marleen Rutten and Kristin Kilfeather at Mullingar International

We were proud to have Marleen Rutten, 2023 Youth World Cup (YWC) team coach and Western riding instructor, give a brilliant demonstration on Brightgoldpocopine (aka Texas), a stunning Quarter Horse owned by Mr. Ron Weisz of Drumcoura Equestrian Centre.

Joining her was IQHA director, Kristin Kilfeather, also a member of the 2023 YWC team, riding her own Quarter Horse, CR Best Lil Look.

The dynamic duo was rounded out by Charlotte Doyle, another standout member of the 2023 YWC team.

IQHA Secretary Heidi Doyle was also on hand at camp and behind the scenes, helping the demo showcase the growing appeal of Western riding in Ireland

Pony Club members were treated to an in-depth look at Western riding techniques and manoeuvres including flag riding, which was a crowd favourite!

On show were traditional Western outfits.

and various styles of Western tack, including saddles, bridles, and saddle pads 

Marleen and Kristin gave an exciting performance with a Roping dummy, with a popular “have a go session” afterwards!  

The interactive demo allowed young riders to get up close and personal with the horses and equipment, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm for the Western discipline.

To cap off the session, youths joined in for the Boot Scramble competition, a fun game that had everyone laughing and perfectly wrapping up a memorable day.

This demo was a fantastic opportunity to share the values, skills, and fun of Western riding with a new audience. The IQHA looks forward to more events like this in the future, helping to grow the love for the American Quarter Horse and Western riding throughout Ireland.

Thank you to all who participated, and especially to the Longford Pony Club Committee for the warm welcome.

We can’t wait to ride with you all again soon!