Knockeen, Waterford
Flatwork
My name is Emily Kate Robinson, I am an international dressage rider. I have competed all over Europe representing Ireland. I have competed at European Championships, Nations Cups & gone through the pony, junior & young rider ranks. Last year, I was selected to compete at my first international as a ‘Senior Rider’. I also like to breed & produce my own horses for competition. I am currently on the Irish High Performance Senior squad. I spent a few years working with Olympians Judy Reynolds (Dressage) and for Bertram Allen (Show Jumping). I then started working for Henry in 2023, although I had been schooling ponies at Knockeen when I was 14! Whilst dressage is my main sport, I also like to do some showing with ‘A Plus Tard’!
Dressage/flat work with racehorses is great for them both mentally and physically. It keeps them supple, happy, and riding away on their own! It makes them strong in other ways, it improves their core strength, balance, flexibility and power from behind. The more they can use their backs, the more likely they are to jump well.
We are proud of our facilities here at Knockeen. Over the years, we've dedicated ourselves to improving the farm, now featuring three main gallops including a six-furlong uphill woodchip, a three-furlong sand gallop,and four-furlong uphill grass gallop.
We tend to use the sand gallop for easy days. It's great for getting horses to switch off.
We use the uphill and grass gallop for stronger work. Each one plays it's own part in how we train our horses and allows us to train the horses 365 days a year regardless of unpredictable weather.
Good Morning
Yard Life
Meanwhile life at the yard is always busy thanks to our dedicated team.
It takes a village of Farriers, Vets and Physios and of course all riders and stable staff. All working towards the same goal.
Schooling
Alongside our gallops, our indoor school arena is a major part of our schooling process. We loose school our horses with a hurdle and an easyfix fence on either side, the objective being to get them to think for themselves, see their own strides and gain confidence in their own jumping ability.
Our outdoor schooling area consists of four lines of hurdles and fences. We use the schooling ground in final preparation before races.
Some more of our team at Knockeen...
