No words could truly do Avril's memory justice. She was a woman ahead of her time. Very few women were starting their own businesses in the 1960s, but she had a natural gift for riding across many disciplines, a deep understanding of horses, a rare talent for teaching and a head for business. She was also tough, as many in the sport still remember.

​

Avril didn't just run Hitchmough's; she pushed the boundaries of the sport and taught to an exceptionally high standard, producing riders who went on to compete at Olympic level.

 

Soon after the business began, Avril's sister Jill joined her, sharing the same passion for horses and teaching. Together they grew Hitchmough's from a few lessons in a field into one of the finest equestrian centres in the country, now home to almost 60 horses and ponies.

 

Sadly, Avril passed away in 1999, but her legacy lives on in every lesson taught at Highland Lodge, and in the wider sport she did so much to shape.

 

Since then, Jill has modernised and expanded Hitchmough's, building new arenas, stables and lecture facilities. Nearly sixty years on, she is still at the heart of the operation, still running the ship, and passing her knowledge down to her children and grandchildren.

​

What we offer

• Lessons for children and adults. We run group lessons in termly blocks from beginner to advanced, and private lessons for anyone who wants one-to-one coaching.

• Pony camps. These run during the school holidays: Spring and Autumn mid-term, Easter, Summer and Christmas.

• Livery. We have full livery in our 24-stable yard, with grazing on our 80-acre farm.

• Courses and qualifications. We offer BHS Stage training up to Stage 3, Ride Safe training, and practical Equine First Aid courses.

• Riding for the Disabled. We've supported our local RDA group for over 25 years, and their volunteers use our facilities for their rides.

​

BHS and AIRE Approved

We're a British Horse Society Approved Centre for riding school, livery, facilities and training and by AIRE (Association of Irish Riding Establishments). We have been approved every year we've applied, and we hold a Highly Commended rating in 6 of 8 categories. 

​

Our team and horses

Every member of our staff is BHS qualified, from Stage 1 up to Senior Eventing Coach. Our horses and ponies are hand-picked to be safe, kind and fun for riders of every level, and they're regularly checked by our vets.

​

Meet the Team → 

 

Meet our Horses →

​

Our facilities

• Indoor arena with a new sand surface

• Two floodlit outdoor sand arenas

• Covered lunge arena

• Cross-country fences and an all-weather gallop

• Hacking across our 80-acre farm, with views over Cork Harbour

• Lecture room and wheelchair-accessible toilets