Callum Is The Mane Man At St Catherine’s

Keep Callum and gallop on…

atest press release from St Catherine’s Special School, issued on Friday, May 1st 2026…

St Catherine’s Special School feel so lucky to have the RDA Ireland – Riding for the Disabled – and all the staff and volunteers at Ballinteskin Stables continued support in facilitating horse riding for their students every week.

Each year the Pierce family present an award in memory of their son, Patrick, to one of the children who attends RDA in the Eastern region and this year this very special award was presented to St. Catherine’s Special School pupil Callum Watson.

Callum has been mastering his equestrian skills for a number of years and the whole school community was over the moon to hear he was this year’s very popular recipient of the Patrick Pierce Award.

Patrick’s parents, Pat & Barbara Pierce said that following an accident “horse riding with the RDAI Leopardstown Group was a very important pleasure and therapy for Patrick. We will always feel deep gratitude to the instructors, helpers and other young riders who made this possible.

“We are so pleased that Patrick’s trophy for courage and persistence is being presented to a young rider each year. These are the qualities – plus a great sense of humour and joie de vivre which encouraged Patrick to live his life to the full.”

The judges of the horse riding award were truly impressed by Callum’s communication, his interaction with others, his knowledge about the ponies and most importantly his excellent posture in the saddle. An outstanding achievement all round.

The award ceremony took place in St Catherine’s Special School and was attended by members the RDA, the Pierce family, Ballinteskin Stables, Callum’s classmates plus his proud mum and St Catherine’s school nurse Gillian.

Well done Callum and big thanks goes to the RDA and everyone whose dedication and support make horse riding possible for the students of St Catherine’s Special School, and achievements like this possible. Dreams really do come true!

You can find out more about RDA Ireland here, about St Catherine’s Special School here, agus here, and follow on Instagram here or Facebook here, and get in touch on email here or by phone here.