THE THIRD DEGREE with PAUL BRADLEY
Lisa Wallace from Orchard Stables Riding School sits down with Paul Bradley in this week’s edition of The Third Degree. Lisa talks about life at the stables, how horse riding can reduce stress, and why she has always wanted to work with children and adults with special needs.
Hi Lisa, how are you? Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Lisa Wallace and my maiden name is Lisa Wernitznig. I was born in Austria and lived there for almost all my life. I had an interest in horses since early childhood and got my first horse called Lucy when I was twelve. I did most of all my qualifications in Austria: Western Riding Certificate, FEBS (Riding Lessons for children from 3+), and Western Riding Instructor.
You have a riding school in Manor – was that something you always wanted to do, or something that just emerged (did you grow up with horses around you)?
After I finished my A-Levels in Austria I went to college and qualified as a secondary school teacher for english and history.
The plan was when I came to Ireland to find a job as a teacher but that was really difficult as the qualifications were very different. I also brought my two horses with me and only planned to enjoy them. But things changed and I built an arena and bought more horses and soon after I moved here I opened my own Riding School called Orchard Stables.
At the start I only gave lessons part time as I was still teaching, but eventually it grew so big that in 2020 I decided to become self-employed and do this full time. I also qualified as a Special Needs Assistant in Ireland and did all the training that is essential to work with children and adults with special needs.
You recently worked with the Donegal Sports Partnership on a course for children with intellectual disabilities. What was involved in that, and what drew you to it?
In 2022 we first started working together with Letterkenny Autism and Donegal Sports Partnership. In 2023 we also started working together with Donegal Down Syndrome. The main reason why I always wanted to work with children and adults with special needs is my mum.
My mum used to teach HBP in Austria. HBP initiates a holistic healing process by enabling people to feel and accept themselves with all parts of their being.
I used to watch her working all the time and I could see the immense benefits the horses gave to the kids. Working with horses has always been my big dream and it fulfils me seeing kids going home with a smile.
What kind of class/courses/events do you offer, and who might they be suitable for (children only, or adults, or even experienced riders)?
Orchard Stables is not a competitive Riding School, our aim is to enjoy the horses as such and learn to understand them, respect them and their needs. In return we have happy and healthy horses that love working together with us.
That is also the approach we teach anybody that comes to Orchard Stables. Horses are beautiful and smart animals that teach you a lot about yourself. All of the kids and adults that come for lessons have to learn how to groom and look after a horse as well as ride it appropriately.
There seems to be a genuine therapeutic benefit for children (and probably adults) working with horses – is that something you can even see at Orchard Stables itself?
The benefits we can see on a daily basis are both mental and physical. Horse riding reduces stress, builds confidence and exercises your brain.
People will not only learn to ride, they will learn responsibility, socialise with their friends, develop balance and core strength and most importantly it will give them a friend for life.
We offer horse riding lessons for beginners and advanced riders of all ages. We also offer hacks up to the forest for the more advanced riders.
I imagine it’s a bit less relaxing when you’re working with the horses all the time. What sort of problems might you have to deal with when running a riding school that wouldn’t be very obvious from the outside?
One of the problems we have to face at the Riding School is the health of our horses. Riding School horses can face multiple health challenges simply because of their situation.
They have to work under various riders with varying skills. Lack of pasture time and a horse’s advancing age can also play a part.
That’s why we make sure that our horses are turned out as much as we can together with their “buddies” so they can be horses as much as possible. They regularly get checked over by a physio, vet and dentist to make sure they are healthy and happy.
I heard of a riding school some years ago where two of the horses just didn’t like each other and had to be scheduled for separate times and places…was that just a myth, or is it something that can happen?
Yes, horses sometimes don’t get along, but we are very lucky to say that the 12 horses we care for here at the Stables all have their best friends that they get on very well with, and they don’t mind working beside each other in the arena.
What kind of things tend to attract most interest – short mornings, longer courses, the quiet amble or more active adventures?
I can’t really say what attracts most interest as it depends on our clients. The younger ones love to come to pony camp as they get to groom, play, ride and feed the ponies for a full day. Adults prefer private lessons one to one as they prefer to get that bit more time with the instructor. Teenagers like the company of other teenagers and like the more active adventures like hacking up to the forest.
How do you retire horses who have just grown a bit too old for regular activities?
Unfortunately we can’t keep all horses when they get old but we usually try to find them a quieter home where they can be either a companion to another horse or just have a quieter life.
Quick fire
The book or the film?
The film
Your perfect night?
Line dancing on a Wednesday night with friends
Favourite film?
Secretariat
Music?
Country
What do you look for most in a friend?
Honesty, passion, laughter
What angers, frightens, or disappoints you?
Dishonesty
How do you relax?
A spa day
You have €10,000 – what’s the one thing you’d most like to spend it on right now?
I’d invest it in a holiday cabin for people coming to stay overnight at Orchard Stables.
l If anyone else would like to take part in this interview, to raise a profile or an issue, or just for fun, please contact Paul at Dnthirddegree@gmail.co
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