As anyone associated with riding club in Donegal over the past few years knows, the annual AIRC hunter trial championship is one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the calender. Frequently held at Flowerhill Equestrian Centre, near Killimor in Co. Galway, it has also been run at both Gurteen Agricultural College in Tipperary and Annaharvey Farm, near Tullamore, Co. Offaly. This years incarnation returns to the latter venue. Every venue has its pros and cons but one major plus of the Annaharvey Farm location is that it is almost impervious to weather conditions. With many of the jumps on an all-weather track the organisers can be almost guaranteed that the event can run regardless of the vagaries of the Irish climate. Stabling is usually supplied by the Lacy family of Ballycrystal Stud, situated just a couple of minutes up the road, and the atmosphere in the stable yard is excellent as so many clubs come together to take up the gauntlet for the honor of club and county. Take a look through the photos from years gone by and ask yourself “Why not?”
Letterkenny Riding Club 