Ger O Brien

Ger O’Brien, the Proprietor of this long established centre, has many years of experience as a breeder, producer, competitor and trainer in the equestrian sport.

Ger has also achieved his Level Two HSI Showjumping Qualification. He has trained numerous adults and children to the highest standard including a silver team European medalist.

Ger himself has competed to Grand Prix level and produces his own young horses.

Raheen-Na-Gun facilities include 2 large show-jumping all weather arenas, with one of the best all weather gel surfaces in the country.

Raheen na Gun

Raheen-Na-Gun Stud was constructed with the intention of promoting a high standard of equestrian activities, in particular, the promotion and training of young horses, ponies and riders of all levels in showjumping and eventing.

We also have an all weather 20x60m dressage arena which will be used for our Dressage and Combined Training Leagues and also our Dressage Clinics.

We are fortunate to have direct access to an indoor school and cross country course.

In 2014 Raheen Na Gun won the prestigious Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce Awards for Small Agri Business of the year. See link below for details to place on the website

https://www.theirishfield.ie/raheen-na-gun-scoops-top-award-169508/

Raheen Na Gun hold regular training shows every Thursday during the year starting at 10am. These are unaffiliated shows and are open to all riders of all levels and abilities, and we are always on hand to help and assist riders.

We run SJI Horse and Pony Leagues predominantly in March and April and September and October months with stand-alone SJI Horse and Pony shows across the other calendar months.

We have hosted RDS qualifiers and Pony Premier shows with much success.

Raheen Na Gun Dressage and Combined Training Leagues have proved exceptionally popular right from the grass roots lead rein up to 3 star level competitors.

We pride ourselves on looking after all levels of riders and encouraging them at these competitions.

These leagues run October to December and also from late January until early March for early season preparations and have been ultimately very successful. We have had a number of riders that have attended these shows with their animals that have progressed up the eventing rankings and have represented Ireland at the European Pony and Young Rider event teams, names such as Luke Coen, Maresa Ronan, Charlotte Teehan, Grace Tyrell, Tiggy Hancock and the Kuenle Family. We value everyones support and are delighted when anyone that has attended these competitions start to shine.

Recently, we have also hosted Northern Ireland Festival Qualifier Shows in 2018/2019 and we have also secured an additional 6 dates leading out of 2019 and into early 2020 which has been excellent for the southern equestrian region. Again these have been very popular and well supported with many of the competitors winning the overall Supreme Championships in their respective classes at the Northern Ireland Festival 2019.

Currently we have a panel of judges that form part of the Team at Raheen Na Gun. For the SJI shows we run, the in house judges are Larry Flanagan, Linda Dempsey and Sarah Lang. The Showing Judges are Mary Carter and Marian Condon. For our Dressage competitions the Dressage Judges are Cindy Hutchinson, Janie Scala, Gemma Ferrer and Faith Ponsonby.

All of our Judges encourage our riders and give great feedback and assistance to the competitors which we feel is paramount for people to improve and grow in the equestrian sport.

The Team

Lorraine O'Brien

Resident Rider

Lorraine has been horse-riding since an early age, taking part in the Irish Pony Club from the age of six. She has competed nationally and internationally in show-jumping competitions since the age of eleven. She is currently stabled in Raheen-Na-Gun Stud, trained by her father Ger O’Brien.

Lorraine's achievements include winnings and placings in national and international competitions up to 1.40m competitions,

numerous wins at Grand Prix Level including:

Winner of the Millstreet Pony Derby
Winner of the Pony Owners Grand Prix
Winner of numerous European Selection Grand Prix
Numerous placements in the RDS Simonscourt and Main Arena
Numerous winnings and placings in Young Riders competitions and more recently in horses at 1.10m, 1.20m and 1.30m competitions
Competed in the Golden Saddle - Received an A1 score in the dressage section of the assessment and attained an overall Silver Saddle Award.
Bringing on young horses with her father at Raheen-Na-Gun Stud.

Lorraine was selected as Captain of the Irish Pony Team in the European Championships Montenmedio, Spain in July 2001 finishing up in the individuals in 7th place.

Silver Medal Winner at Verona International Horse Show, Italy 2001 in the Nations Cup

§ Fourth in the Grand Prix in Courlans, France

§ Second in the Young Riders 1.30m Speed Stakes in Hickstead, 2002.

Awarded the Smithwicks Sports Star of the year 2003.

Chairperson of the Equestrian Society in Mary Immaculate College 2005/2006.

Sarah Lang

Events Co Ordinator

"I, alongside my colleagues

co-ordinate and run the shows here in Raheen Na gun Stud Kilkenny.

Along with the organisational responsibilities of this role, such as dealing with sponsors, judges and national equestrian bodies, comes the responsibility of ensuring that all riders, parents and supporters are looked after at the competitions.

This is a challenging and exciting role which I really enjoy! It's great to see the riders all happy and enjoying their shows at Raheen-na-gun Stud and that is very important to me!

I also compete my own two horses RNG Vantage Point and KEC Diamantè. Both are polar opposites of each other yet they both perform well under the guidance of Ger OBrien who lends a hand assisting in the jumping department!

RNG Vantage Point has started to grow into himself this year and stands at 17th. He has competed at the RDS on 2018 & 2019 in with the YES event class and Lightweight Hunters. 2019 saw him stepping up into the eventing world where he undertook three 2 star International Events completing each time with clear XC rounds. He will step up to 3 star Level in 2020.

KEC Diamantè turns her hoof to literally anything from pure Showjumping and Dressage, to Side Saddle and Working Hunter classes. She is super versatile and has an amazing brain for a big mare at 18h.

Larry Flanagan

Resident Judge