Horse riding school, equestrian centre, cork Cork

About The Horgan Family

The equestrian centre at Bridestown was founded in 2003 when Gemma and her brother Philip returned from training and work commitments in the UK and Germany.

A handful of stables and even fewer horses and ponies were all that was needed to start there budding enterprise. Over the years adding bit by bit, Bridestown Towers Equestrian Centre (BTEC) has developed into a wonderful sports facility. Now with over 30 stables, indoor and outdoor arenas, horse walker, trekking paths and circa 40 acres of prime grassland BTEC is above par as far as riding and training establishments are concerned.

Together with training all levels of rider and horse the centres breeding program has resulted in homebred horses being sold and subsequently competing as far afield as Australia and South Africa.

Philip Horgan – International show jumping trainer & rider

Along with competing at international level in the US, Brazil and around Europe, Philip regularly produces young horses to high standards.

Knowing to get the top you must learn from the best. Philip at the age of 18, with determination and dedication, set out for Europe to train. He spent many years absorbing the techniques and knowledge of Franke Sloothaak (Olympic Gold medallists and World Champion) and Beat Mändli (World Cup Champion).

This, he states, was the experience of a life time and is a large attribution to his success today. He now coaches show jumping and eventing riders to international level. In 2003 he co-founded (with his sister Gemma) BTEC because he is passionate about horses and loves to pass on his knowledge to the riders of tomorrow.

Gemma Horgan – BSc (EBM) - B.H.S.A.I. - FEI coaching level 1

Gemma has been competing in show jumping at a national level since she was 12. Her zeal for horses and show jumping was infectious and soon spread to her whole family. She always knew her life would not be complete without horses. So, on finishing school she obtained her BHSAI with ease and travelled the world caring for top international horses.

Not content to gain knowledge for herself alone, she set about training young horses and coaching pony and junior riders to European Championship level. Even at this young age, her ability to instil confidence in both horse and rider was uncanny. This profession brought her to the US where she pursued her passion for teaching pony riders as well as caring for horses. Later she began working for Heike Holstein where opportunity came her way to travel to the 2000 Sydney Olympics with the Ballaseyr dressage team.

In 2003 after studying equine business she co-founded (with her brother Philip) BTEC, and since has been coaching children and adults of all levels to ride and care for horses.