Co Antrim girls shine in celebrations at CAFRE equine graduation
- Love Ballymena
- Jul 8
- 2 min read
The Erne Veterinary Group Cup was presented to Amy Murphy from Portglenone, Co Antrim (right) for best performance on the Work Placement module of the Foundation Degree in Equine Management course. Amy was congratulated by Gayle Moane (Lecturer, CAFRE) when she graduated at the CAFRE Graduation Ceremony.
Two rising stars of the Northern Ireland equine sector were among those honoured at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Class of 2025 graduation ceremony, held at the Greenmount Campus, Antrim.
Amy Murphy from Portglenone and Ursula Gettens from Glenariffe, both students at CAFRE’s Enniskillen Campus, were recognised for their outstanding achievements on the college’s highly regarded Equine Management programme.
Amy received the Erne Veterinary Group Cup for the best performance on the Work Placement module of the Foundation Degree in Equine Management. She was presented with the award by CAFRE lecturer Gayle Moane, who praised her dedication and professionalism.
Ursula Gettens (right) from Glenariffe, Co Antrim, pictured with Hollie Turner from Newtownards, Co Down, celebrating achieving Foundation Degree qualifications in Equine Management at the CAFRE Graduation Ceremony.
Meanwhile, Ursula proudly graduated with her Foundation Degree in Equine Management, celebrating the culmination of years of academic and practical training in one of Northern Ireland’s premier equestrian education institutions.
Family, friends, and staff gathered to mark the graduation of students across CAFRE’s Higher Education programmes in Equine, Agriculture, Food and Horticulture.
The event was a celebration of hard work, resilience, and achievement — with Enniskillen’s Equine graduates taking centre stage.
Speaking at the ceremony, Jane Elliott, Head of Equine at Enniskillen Campus, paid tribute to the graduating cohort:
“Our students have shown exceptional commitment to their studies. They leave us not only with an equine qualification but with the experience and confidence to make a real impact in the equine industry; whether in yards, training, sales, marketing or as entrepreneurs.”
The Equine Science and Equine Management programmes at Enniskillen are validated by Ulster University and renowned for combining academic rigour with hands-on industry training — including the early-morning yard routines that define student life on campus.
Also in attendance were Professor Victor Gault and Dr Mary McCann from Ulster University, whose presence reinforced the strength of the academic partnership that underpins CAFRE’s equine offering.
Graduates from the BSc Honours, Foundation Degree, and Higher Education Certificate programmes in Equine Management and Equine Science were formally recognised for their efforts and achievements.
Many members of the graduating class have already secured employment in prestigious equestrian organisations, while others are preparing for international internships that will further build their experience in the global equine industry.
CAFRE Enniskillen continues to earn praise for its state-of-the-art facilities, strong industry links, and reputation for producing work-ready, knowledgeable graduates who are well-equipped for careers across all sectors of the equine world.
As the Class of 2025 steps confidently into the next stage of their professional lives, they do so with the backing of a programme designed to develop skilled, passionate, and forward-thinking equine professionals.
For more information about Equine courses at CAFRE Enniskillen Campus, visit:
