About Us

Background

Lenamore Stables was first established in 1979 by Ms. Geraldine L Graham. In the beginning, the facility was family run and consisted of only a small number of horses and ponies. Since then, Lenamore has kept its family-like atmosphere and has expanded to over 50 horses and ponies. Lenamore Stables is now a well respected equestrian establishment for both leisure and competition riding.

Lenamore is situated high in the hills of Donegal, overlooking the city of Derry. The facility is half way between the villages of Muff and Bridgend, approximately twenty miles from both Letterkenny and Carndonagh, ten miles from Movile and two miles from Derry. Our clientele varies from local towns to overseas tourists.

Lenamore is registered with the British Horse Society (BHS) and the Association of Irish Riding Establishments (AIRE). We are insured with South Essex Insurance Brokers.

Lenamore operates in a number of markets in relation to the equestrian sector specifically:-

• Leisure riding for all levels of experience.
• Livery contracts to suit all.
• Breeding and training of young sport horses for sale to the International market.
• Tourism market - accommodation only or combined riding and accommodation.

Lenamore fulfils a teaching role in providing training to recognised British Horse Society standards. Ms. Graham is qualified as an ‘Intermediate Instructor’ and EFI coach which enables her to instruct and assess up to B.H.S.A.I (British Horse Society Assistant Instructor) level. Geraldine has employees of many different abilities. Some of her Employees are fully qualified to B.H.S.A.I while others are there to be trained to the British Horse Society standards. Lenamore Stables encourages this training to older pupils (age 16+). Ms. Graham has over thirty years of extensive equestrian experience both in Ireland and on the continent. This experience has increased her ability to communicate fluently in three additional European languages including Swiss, German and French. In addition to her language skills, Ms. Graham also has a network of suitable contacts within the breeding and sales markets and she understands the continent's market demands in both of these markets.

Cross Community Role

Lenamore Stables is indeed a cross-border institution, being situated literally on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Individuals from both sides of the border and from the two main traditions in Northern Ireland enjoy the facilities at Lenamore Stables, where they have the opportunity to share their leisure time together. This common interest in the equestrian sport is a wonderful way to break down the barriers that exist between these traditions on many levels, by allowing people to share their enjoyment and disregard their differences.

Horse riding for the disabled has long been a recognised as a constructive group activity. Horse riding enables disabled individuals to develop confidence in themselves by helping to improve their mobility and to create a sense of equality with those who are able bodied as they can participate on an equal basis.

Lenamore provides horse-riding activities to the following groups in addition to individuals from various communities and traditions:-

• St. Marys College
• St. Joseph's College
• Faughan Valley
• St. Peters Secondary School
• Oakgrove Intergrated College
• Magee University
• Donegal Riding Club
• Various Pony Club Branches

Lenamore Stables was also used in 1996 as the base for the Irish Army Equestrian Team who completed successfully as Eglinton Equestrian Centre, following an absence of approximately thirty years from the Northern Ireland Showjumping Circuit.