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Headfort
School
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Headfort School

More than half the school choose to ride as an Extra. We have always offered riding and it is one of our great strengths. Children learn a great deal more than simply sitting as a passenger on a pony. Stable management, points of the horse, and care of ponies are all taught. By the time they leave, many are very competent horsemen/women.   Children are also taken to occasional Race Meetings and have the finer points explained to them. Indeed, Punchestown would not be the same without its annual gaggle of finely-turned-out and well-behaved Headfort pupils learning to appreciate the sport of horse-racing. Children ride once a week and there are opportunities to help during Break. Many children love to help the Montessori nursery pupils learn how to ride. Riders also visit various arenas around the country, though we have our own sand arena, thanks to a generous donation from a parent. We have fantastic surroundings for riding. The estate offers interesting possibilities for hacking and we have our own Cross Country Course. We hold a Gymkhana in the summer. Parents and Staff may be seen on horseback at this event. The Gymkhana is a festive occasion, enlivened by lunch cooked on barbecues and parents mingling with children and Staff. There are serious and not-so-serious aspects. Seniors will jump fences with as much endeavour as Olympians. The little ones have novelty events, such as Musical Poles or Fancy Dress. The range of skills and activities that run under the general umbrella of Riding also encourage children to take responsibility for animals and further hasten their character development and willingness to help others.

For further information, please contact the Headmaster, Dermot Dix at headmaster@eircom.net