Laurel View Equestrian Centre

01/06/2026

Laurel View are no longer taking part this year, but there are still loads of options to visit over Open Farm Weekend Where will you go?

The latest Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend farm list is here! 🚜🌾
We’ve had a couple of small updates since the last version, but we’re proud to have farms taking part from all six counties of Northern Ireland. That means no matter where you live, there’s a farm nearby where you can come along, meet local farmers, meet the animals and hear their stories!

Take a look at the updated list and start planning your visits for 13–14 June!


Bank of Ireland Livestock & Meat Commission NI NFU Mutual Northern Ireland Ulster Farmers' Union Asda Pilgrim’s Europe Dale Farm Careers Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster Irish Farmers Journal Discover CAFRE Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs ABP Food Group

01/06/2026

Saturday 25th July is the date to note for Antrim Show. 🗓️🐴🐄🐑🗓️

01/06/2026

Throwback to one of our Easter pony days🐣

Keep your eyes on our socials for information on all the exciting things we have planned for this summer!

25/05/2026

One of my biggest pet peeves is hearing people say, “just a riding school horse.”

Such a small word, “just”, yet it carries so much weight in its potential to fuel a common misconception and instantly devalue horses that spend part of their lives teaching. As if being part of a riding school somehow makes these horses less talented, less intelligent, or less worthy.

But the truth is, riding school horses are some of the most patient, resilient and inspiring horses you will ever meet.

They teach beginners how to ride.
They rebuild confidence after falls.
They adapt to hundreds of different riders, personalities and abilities.

People are quick to label them stubborn or lazy, when often they’re simply asking us as riders to put our ego to the side and reflect on ourselves first. Riding school horses humble us. They teach timing, balance, patience, accountability and feel. 

A “push-button” horse may give you the answer… But a riding school horse teaches you how to find it yourself. A horse that gives you every answer straight away can feel great to ride and most definitely has its place as part of your learning journey, but there’s a different sense of achievement when a horse teaches you how to ride well enough to get it right yourself; to understand what you are asking for well enough that you can replicate it on others.

And that’s where real progress happens.

They are not “just riding school horses.”
They are teachers, confidence builders, therapists, mentors and best friends to so many riders lucky enough to learn from them. 💜

If you learned to ride on riding school horses, this is your reminder to appreciate everything they gave you. 🐴

25/05/2026

On Saturday past (23rd May) we managed to fit in the rescheduled Working Equitation Training Show, which was the third of three in our mini Spring League.

Small numbers gave everyone the chance to have a relaxed and supportive experience as they rode their moves in the dressage arena or navigated their way around the Ease of Handling course. The weather was also on our side, making it very pleasant for all involved.

A shout out to Laurel and Norma for their work preparing and running the show. To Jennifer Marshall for lending her expertise as judge, ably assisted by Diane as her scribe. Thanks indeed to everyone who helped in any way, we really enjoy the friendly and supportive atmosphere that the Working Equitation discipline is bringing, as we do what we can to widen the interest in it.

Now onto our winners list, lots of lovely frilly rosettes for our winners and even something extra for those that came out on top of the league.

We hope to arrange more clinics and training shows over the coming months, so watch this space. :-)

Level 1
Dressage
1st Emma McGranaghan, Kenzie; 2nd Sophia Connolly, Hicks; 3rd Sasha Wilson, Magner.
Ease of Handling
1st Sasha Wilson, Magner; 2nd Emma McGranaghan, Kenzie; 3rd Sophia Connolly, Hicks.
Speed Test
1st Sasha Wilson, Magner; 2nd Emma McGranaghan, Kenzie; 3rd Sophia Connolly, Hicks.
Overall
1st Sasha Wilson, Magner; 2nd Emma McGranaghan, Kenzie; 3rd Sophia Connolly, Hicks.

Level 2
Dressage
1st Anne Hill, Paddy; 2nd Julie Dauncey-Stuart, Summer.
Ease of Handling
1st Anne Hill, Paddy; 2nd Julie Dauncey-Stuart, Summer.
Speed Test
1st Julie Dauncey-Stuart, Summer; 2nd Anne Hill, Paddy.
Overall
1st Anne Hill, Paddy; 2nd Julie Dauncey-Stuart, Summer.

Level 3
Dressage
1st Jill Hobson, Furisto Seven for a Secret.
Ease of Handling
1st Jill Hobson, Furisto Seven for a Secret.
Speed Test
1st Jill Hobson, Furisto Seven for a Secret.
Overall
1st Jill Hobson, Furisto Seven for a Secret.

Level 1 League
1st Holly Webber, Bluebell; 2nd Sasha Wilson, Magner.

Level 2 League
1st Anne Hill, Paddy; 2nd Julie Dauncey-Stuart, Summer.

25/05/2026

Reflect on fun at Easter Show

Egg-stacle Course and the Hop Over It Show Jumping prove popular at Templepatrick venue

25/05/2026

A couple of weeks ago, Mum and I had the opportunity to join an incredible tour of some of Irelands industry leading equestrian businesses; each operating within very different areas of the industry. The tour was organised by , and we attended as part of their Equine Peer Mentor Group alongside a group of their degree students.

Over the course of the trip, we gained insight into a range of inspiring businesses, each offering their own unique approach, perspective, and vision for the future. What stood out most to me was seeing just how diverse the opportunities within the equestrian world really are.

At a time when working in this industry can often feel like an uphill battle, this experience was a powerful reminder of why we keep pushing forward. Hearing different stories, seeing innovation firsthand, and connecting with passionate people across the sector left me feeling genuinely motivated and inspired.

Day one began at , before heading to Karlswood (which was every bit as impressive as you would imagine) and finishing the day at Equine Therapy Hub.

A hugely valuable experience and one I’m very grateful to have been able to attend.

24/05/2026

Some other special classes to help widen the fundraising included the Musical Freestyle which is always wonderful to watch and the Alternative Animal Dressage which causes great amusement.

Class 8 - Musical Freestyle
Judge - Angelene NIcholson
The winners in this class benefitted from very generous sponsorship from EMC Clipping Services and Claire Walker NAF which was greatfully received.

1st Hugo (Prelim), Zara Jones, 81.11; 2nd Casper (Prelim), Hannah Kernohan, 80.83; 3rd Lily (Prelim), Rebecca Mullan, 73.61; 4th Townhead Lionheart & Severndale Ollie (Pairs - Intro), Jennifer Hamill & Sami Gouldthorpe, 53.89.

Class 9 - Alternative Animal Dressage
Judge - Jennifer Marshall
Sponsor https://www.facebook.com/NAFClaire
1st Katie Beagle (Canine), Laurel Faloona, 66.04; 2nd Erla (Canine), Claire Walker, 57.08;
3rd Kik Kie (Porcine), Robert Davis, Ret.

It was a really great day and we really appreciate the support and were so delighted to hand over £1262 to Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke, all in memory of our friend Ivor Harper-Hewitt who is missed by so many.

Area Sales Manager for NAF in Northern Ireland

24/05/2026

Doagh Equestrian very kindly sponsored the top prizes for three classes, the results of which are posted below. All at Laurel View really appreciate our sponsors support and hope that everyone can support them in return. :-)

Class 3 - Prelim 2
Judge - Angelene NIcholson
1st Carrickview Saratoga, Nicky Nesbitt, 73.48; 2nd Lor Ruadh's Ceallach, Sara McCracken, 67.61; 3rd LTF Democratic Queen, Lynne Thompson, 66.96; 4th Lily, Anna Kelly, 66.52; 5th Binx, Katie Watt, 65.65; 6th Casper, Sophie Fulton, 63.04.

Class 10 - Junior Stars
1st Amelie McKeown, Desert Dunes (Class 1), 74.32; 2nd Lizzy Taylor, Chester (Class 2), 73.60; 3rd Adalyn Wallace, Lily (Class 1), 71.14; 4th Emily Dobbin, Jessie (Class 2), 68.00; 5th Maisie Wallace, Jigsaw (Class 1), 66.14; 6th Freya Webb, Oreo (Class 1), 62.95; 7th Noah Haveron, T-Rex (Class 1), 61.14.

Class 11 - Senior Stars
1st David Kirkpatrick, Fred (Class 4), 72.08; 2nd Jacqui Lewis, Dunore Fast & Furious (Class 6), 70.77; 3rd Debbie McClean, Sunny (Class 5), 70.20; 4th Katie McDermott, Zee Red Devil (Class 1), 56.14.

Hope you are all very proud of your performance and participation.