Approved Establishment
Our Team
Our staff are what make us who we are. They are here to make your time at Hitchmough's as enjoyable as possible.
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All of our staff are BHS qualified ranging from Stage 1 to Stage 4 Senior Eventing Coach. We actively engage in staff training ensuring all our staff have the chance to progress in their careers.
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If your horse is on livery with us, you are guaranteed the best of care with years of knowledge and training to turn to if you need it.
Jill Twomey BHSAI
Jill is the original co-founder of Hitchmough's. With over 30 years expeience, Jill is a renowned teacher who instils confidence in every rider. Whatever the age or ability of the student, Jill brings out the best in him or her in an enjoyable way
"Teachers are born, not made" and Jill exemplifies this
Favourite horse at Hitchmough's: All of them :)
Tara O'Brien BHS Senior Eventing Coach, Performance Centre Manager, BSc., PGCert Equine Science
Tara has worked at Hitchmough's for many years and is a First Aid Responder and Child Safeguarding Designated Liaison Person for the yard. Before coming to Hitchmough's, Tara worked overseas as a riding instructor. Tara has a keen interest in equitation science - understanding how the horse and rider interact and understanding how horses learn.
Tara competes in various disciplines. In 2016, she was a member of the Highland Lodge Riding Club team that were AIRC National Team Show Jumping champions and was 1st at the AIRC National Eventing Championships, all with one of our own school horses - Stella (pictured). In 2017, Tara represented the club again in the RDS on Cailin.
Sinead Vallely BHS Coach in Complete Horsemanship, BSc. Ag Science
Sinead has been working at Hitchmough's for many years and is a First Aid Responder. Sinead has worked overseas at Olympic level eventing yards and has a keen interest in the advances in equine science. She is currently training for the L4 Senior Eventing Coach qualification.
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Sinead is also the Course Director of Equestrian Studies at CSN College Cork where she trains the students towards the Level 5 Certificate and BHS exams.
Sinead actively competes her own horse and was a member of the the Highland Lodge Riding Club team that were national show jumping champions in 2013.
Amanda Draper - BHS Foundation Coach in Complete Horsemanship​
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Niall Buckley - BHSQ Stage 2 Foundation Groom with Riding, QQI L5 Cert in Horsemanship
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Niall has been working at Hitchmough's since 2016 after studying with Sinead at CSN College Cork. He is a First Aid Responder. Niall enjoys breaking and schooling young horses. He has competed in a range of disciplines and has represented Highland Lodge Riding Club, riding our school horse Bouncer (pictured). Niall is currently training towards the BHSQ Stage 2 Teaching Exam.
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Shannid McGrath - BHS Stage 1 Complete Horsemanship, QQI L5 Cert in Horsemanship
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Shannid has been working with us since 2020 after completing the CSN College Cork Equestrian Studies course with Sinead. Shannid also volunteers with the My Lovely Horse Rescue Centre and is currently retraining her own rescue horse.