Equine management students from CAFRE’s Enniskillen Campus have returned from a four-day study tour to Belgium, where they gained first-hand exposure to one of the world’s leading equine industries.
The visit involved students enrolled on both the Foundation Degree and BSc Honours Degree in Equine Management. CAFRE said the tour was supported through its Industry Support Programme and was intended to strengthen academic learning while introducing students to international facilities and possible career routes.
Travel bursaries of £1,500 were awarded through an application process to help widen access to the tour and recognise academic excellence and initiative. The awards were provided by Godolphin, Coolmore, The Irish Field, The Gerry Dilger Foundation, Ulster Carpets and the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation.
The students began with a guided walking tour of Leuven, described by CAFRE as one of Belgium’s historic university cities, before visiting the Irish College Leuven to examine the economic and structural importance of the Belgian equine sector. They were told the sector includes about 200,000 horses, generates around €1.4 billion a year and supports more than 6,000 jobs.
The programme also included attendance at the Belgian Dressage Championships at Azelhof Arena, where students observed young rider and para dressage classes. CAFRE said the experience allowed the group to compare international riding styles, coaching approaches and performance standards.
A visit to Equitom Equine Clinic gave students exposure to advanced sport horse care, including MRI and CT scanning. The group also visited Ashford Farm, a European show jumping training and sales operation founded by Irishman Enda Carroll, where they studied elite horse production, selection, training systems and commercial aspects of the industry.