Top marks must go to Donegal Gaeltacht riding club for their running of their annual beach show last Sunday. Weather on the Saturday night was appalling, with gales and torrential rain battering Ballyness Bay and it’s environs, not least of all the Killult yard of Lawrence and Rosaleen Smyths where Jayne, Rachel and their intrepid mounts spent the night. Rain ceased around 5am and despite a mild but very strong on-shore wind necessitating the use of every available sandbag in the place, the show enjoyed sunshine and blue skies. The rewards for driving to the remote bay were plentiful as Letterkenny’s five riders took home no less than three wins, a second and two thirds. Club performance of the day has to have been Francis on his lovely new mount Kerrykeel Darcy. This combination made light work of their first showjumping course and went on to win the intermediate dressage. Definitely ones to watch in the future. Full results are available below.
This coming Sunday sees Suzanne, Anne and Rachel head south to Flowerhill Equestrian Centre for the national hunter-trial championships. I’m afraid the rest of the club will have to refrain from attending to cheer them on as attendance at the AIRC National Hunter Trials Championships is restricted to competitors, their nominated assistant or grooms and event officials. This is necessary in order to comply with current Covid-19 regulations which permit up to 200 people to attend an outdoor event at this time.
Riders must complete the Contact Tracing self-declaration form by 5pm on Thursday at the latest. Their nominated assistant must also complete the online form as well. Details have been emailed to competitors already.
No one else will be permitted entry to the venue and stewards will be at the main entrance to ensure this is enforced. Those attending are asked to wear face coverings/masks and to social distance.
Competitors are asked to Arrive, Compete and Leave.
Letterkenny Riding Club 