Donegal woman honoured for saving horses in alleged arson attack

A young Donegal woman has been presented with a top accolade at the Irish Show Jumping Awards for saving horses from a fire. 

Megan McGettigan earned the Tredstep Groom of the Year award at last Saturday’s event.

The remarkable young woman was honoured for her bravery during an incident last November. She was working at Lenamore Stables on the Derry and Muff border when a fire broke out, due to an alleged arson attack.

The 20-year-old showed outstanding commitment to her job when she rushed into the stables to rescue the animals. Megan managed to guide five of the terrified horses outside to safety.

After saving as many horses as she could, Megan was hospitalised for smoke inhalation and minor burns.

Megan McGettigan, winner of the Tredstep Ireland Groom of the Year Award ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

The Irish Show Jumping Awards awards were held at the Killashee House Hotel, Naas, Co Kildare, on Saturday night December 15^th. A large crowd of well-known faces were attracted to the glamorous event which celebrated the leading riders in Irish Show Jumping this year.

340 people attended what was a special night that helped to mark the memory of the late Jack Dodd, a talented young rider from Foxford, Co Mayo, who tragically lost his life in June of this year following a car accident in Belgium.