Offaly man making his mark in Spanish dressage events

A TULLAMORE man has been making his mark in dressage events in Spain. Lawrence Cutler, a native of Pearse Park in Tullamore, has been teaching for a few years in Spain, where he lives, and he has had a great 2024 season.

A former student at Tullamore College, he started horse riding locally with Sinead Healion at 12 years of age. Supported by his mother Esther and siblings, Stacey, Trevor and Kevin, he pursued an equestrian career with great enthusiasm.

After finishing in Tullamore College, he went to Portlaoise Equestrian Centre to do the British Horse Society exams, initially starting out in show jumping. However, his real passion was in the very intricate discipline of dressage and he worked in several different stables around Ireland with professional and international riders.

Lawrence started competing in dressage events himself, winning Irish championships and then went to America for two years where he became a professional rider. After America, he worked in different countries around Europe before settling in Cordoba, Andalusia, Spain where he has been for the past twelve years.

After coming to Spain, he continued his training in the Córdoba Royal Stables and started competing then. He has won several competitions since then and bought his own horse, Bunanvilla, aka Tara, five years ago and has trained her since. Last year was his first year to compete with Bunanvilla and they had a very successful year, winning five Copas de Andalusia (Andalusian Cups.

Lawrence is looking forward to 2025 and hopes to represent Ireland on the international circuit – he goes to Ireland three times a year to teach dressage clinics.