The George Mernagh Memorial Fund Bursaries

The George Mernagh Memorial Fund Limited is seeking applications for one of three €5,000 bursaries which will be awarded at the Welcome Reception of the Tattersalls International Horse Trials & Country Fair on Wednesday 27^th May 2015.

Last year’s recipients were Emma Cahill who is using her bursary to fund specialised training and travel in preparation to qualify and compete at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio; Janet Murray who provided 4 days of full dressage and show jumping training to 15 horse and rider combinations who showed potential and aiming for Lion d’Angers 2014; and Adam Stevenson, a budding cross-country designer, who used his bursary to attend International Events to learn up-to-date concepts and attend both FEI and National training seminars.

Emma Cahill receiving her bursary from Leo Varadkar, then Minister for Tourism & Sport. Currently Minister for Health.

Commenting on the George Mernagh Memorial Bursary, one of the 2014 recipients, Emma Cahill said:

 “The George Mernagh Memorial Bursary has played such a huge part in getting me this far. It gave me the finances to make it possible and also the coverage to get people behind me. It’s been such a comfort to have it there for the unexpected and is a big part of my feeling that “Impossible is Temporary” as I’ve been spouting in my recent coverage.”

Tattersalls Ireland Managing Director Roger Casey said:

“George Mernagh had a vision that Tattersalls Ireland would be the venue for an event that was of an International standard and attracted competitors from around the World. As the Tattersalls International Horse Trials & Country Fair celebrates its 10^th Anniversary, George’s vision is the reason that this event exists and continues to grow in stature. The bursaries given by The George Mernagh Memorial Fund Limited are a wonderful gesture and will provide assistance to talented Irish horsemen and women in reaching their potential.”

The charitable company, The George Mernagh Memorial Fund Limited, was established in memory of the late George Mernagh who had a lifetime interest in equestrian sports and who was   committed to developing these at Tattersalls Ireland.

Applications must comply with the “Terms” set out below and must be submitted by no later than Friday 15 May 2015. Applications are sought from anyone involved in the three equestrian disciplines of dressage, show jumping and cross country, from competitors to instructors to course builders. Innovative applications which embrace the bursary objectives will be particularly welcomed.

Download Application Form: The George Mernagh Bursary Fund Application form

 TERMS APPLYING TO THE GMMF LTD BURSARY AWARDS

1. Applications should attempt to demonstrate how they meet some or all of the following bursary objectives:

• To support youth participation in Irish equestrian sports

• To foster national and international sporting competition in Ireland via the provision of equestrian competition and the facilities that support this competition

• To contribute to the education and development of all participants involved in any aspect of Irish equestrianism to the highest possible standards.

2. Applications can be submitted by sending the standardised application form which is  available within the information heading on www.tattshorsetrials.ie and a cover letter limited to 300 words to Tattersalls Ireland either by post to ‘The GMMF Limited Bursary Applications 2015’, C/O Tattersalls Ireland, Fairyhouse Road, Ratoath, Co. Meath or by e-mail to info@tattersalls.ie noting Subject: ‘The GMMF Limited Bursary Applications 2015’.

3. The bursaries are also subject to the following terms and conditions of eligibility:

• The applicant must be eligible to compete for or to represent IRL;

• If the award is with regard to training then this training must be with an ‘accredited’ or ‘recognised’ coach;

• The bursary must be used within one year of the award date or will be deemed void;

• Bursary funds will only be paid out on receipt of a written claim with supporting documentation;

• The GMMF Bursary Award Committee’s decisions are final.