College of FET graduate Tara Flynn is continuing to make her mark on the international para dressage stage, recently helping Team Ireland make history at the Para Equestrian Home Nations in the UK.
Tara was part of Team Ireland Celtic Cadence at the competition, held at Pickering Grange Equestrian Centre from 27–29 August. Alongside teammates Cassandra Morris, Karen Burke and Heather Lemmon, Tara helped Ireland win both the Shield and Statue, finishing ahead of teams from Scotland, Wales and four English teams. It was the first time Ireland had won the competition. Tara competed with her Anglo-European horse Cascavel, (Kenny is his stable name) and her proud parents Mary and Tom and brother Brian were there to support her.
This achievement is another milestone in Tara’s remarkable journey, one that has seen her overcome a life-changing injury, return to education in an area she is passionate about, and ultimately represent Ireland on the international stage.
Tara pictured with her brother Brian, mother Mary and father Tom and her horse Cascavel.
Tara’s love of horses began at an early age. She had been riding since she was four and was already competing at a high level, including winning Individual Gold at the 2007 European Championships in Working Hunter Pony 153cm.
In January 2008, shortly after graduating from the University of Limerick with a gold medal in marketing, Tara was involved in a serious snowplough accident while visiting Mammoth Lakes, California.
The accident caused a catastrophic brain injury due to fat embolism syndrome, and Tara spent nine months in a minimally conscious state. Her recovery involved extensive treatment and rehabilitation in the United States and Spain, with horses remaining an important part of her recovery.
By November 2008, Tara was back on her beloved horse Cosmo with assistance. She returned to riding lessons in 2012 and won her first rosette since the accident the following year.
Tara who graduated from Horsemanship (QQI Level 5) at Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s College of FET Croom Campus pictured celebrating at the Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Limerick at her conferring ceremony.
Having rebuilt her connection with horses, Tara returned to education, choosing to pursue an area she had always been passionate about, she began studying at Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of FET Croom Campus, completing the Horsemanship QQI Level 5 course before progressing to the Equine Breeding QQI Level 6 course, before graduating and receiving her award in 2024.
Speaking about her experience at Croom Campus, Tara said “It was fantastic and very educational and I would recommend it for anyone who loves horses like me, my favourite part of the course was the hands-on experience working with horses in Clonshire.”
The course complemented Tara’s lifelong passion for horses and her growing ambitions in para dressage and Tara went on to represent Ireland at the Para Home Nations in the UK in summer 2024 and has continued to build her experience and success on the international para dressage circuit.
The competition was run over two days, with Tara making a strong contribution to the team’s performance. On day one, she recorded the second-best score for Team Ireland, while on day two her score was just a fraction of a percentage below the score that counted. With three scores counting towards the team result each day, all four members of Team Ireland contributed to their historic success, securing the Shield and Statue for the first time for Ireland, marking a historic achievement for the team.
From graduating from the University of Limerick, to overcoming a life-changing injury, returning to education at Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of FET Croom, and now representing Ireland internationally, Tara’s journey is an inspiring example of determination, talent and a lifelong passion for horses and education.
Limerick and Clare ETB is delighted to see one of its graduates achieving at such a high level and wishes Tara and her Team Ireland teammates every success in the competitions ahead.