Team Ireland Celtic Cadence at the Para Equestrian Home Nations at Pickering Grange Equestrian Centre in the UK. From left: Cassandra Morris, Tara Flynn, Karen Burke and Heather Lemmon as they receive their award.
College of FET Graduate Tara Flynn Making History with Team Ireland
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 England, Scotland and Wales.
It was the first time Ireland had won the competition and Tara competed with her Anglo European horse Cascavel (known at home as Kenny), with her proud parents Mary and Tom and brother Brian there to support her.
The achievement is another milestone in Tara’s remarkable journey, one that has taken her from studies at Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s College of FET Croom Campus to representing Ireland on the international stage.
Tara pictured with her brother Brian, mother Mary and father Tom and her horse Cascavel.
From Croom Campus to Team Ireland
Tara began her studies at Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of FET Croom Campus a few years ago completing the Horsemanship QQI Level 5 course before progressing to the Equine Breeding QQI Level 6 course, 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 ambitions in para dressage. She had been riding since she was four and had already achieved significant success before a serious accident in 2008, including 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 six 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.
A True Team Effort
Tara first represented 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 two-day competition at Pickering Grange truly highlighted the power of teamwork. On the opening day, Tara delivered a spectacular performance, securing the second-highest score for Team Ireland to help put them in a winning position. With only the top three scores counting each day, every single rider directly contributed to the final scoreboard over the weekend and Tara’s latest achievement with Team Ireland Celtic Cadence marks another significant milestone in her international career.
From studying at Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of FET Croom Campus to representing Ireland in international competition, Tara’s journey is an inspiring example of determination, talent and a lifelong passion for horses and the 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.
