As in the past few years, South Donegal branch of the Pony Club are including a riding club members’ class at their combined training show on Sunday 29 May. The event takes place at Deanes Equestrian Centre. The dressage test is BD 18 (2002) and you may choose to jump at either 70 or 80 cm.
Entries must be made in advance. See the East Donegal Pony Club’s website for full schedule and entry details.
Nadine, Damien and Erica have their homework done and the schedule is ready for our Spring League Show at Eglinton on Sunday 15 May:
Team selection is complete! Even though each club is provisionally allowed enter just two teams, our third team has been accepted because not all clubs took up their two options. This is how the teams shape up:
Finn Nadine, Marina, Anne, Tommy
Swilly Tanya, Damien (on Millie), Libby, Cormac
Lennon Geraldine, Damien (on Armstrong), Francis, Erica
The qualifier takes place on Sunday 1 May in Claremorris. Training with Kelda continues this evening, Thursday, at Cyril’s arena in Milford.
Badminton gets off to its 2011 start tomorrow and there’s no shortage of Irish interest with nine competitors flying the flag. See the full details on the Horse Sport Ireland website.
Course building training with Charles Maudlin takes place this Friday evening at Killult, Falcarragh, at 7pm. Further training will be on Monday 6 June with Tony Ennis. The final training session and exam will be in August.
For further information or to book your place, contact Orla on 087 643 2458.
Equestrian Photographic Services, official photographers at Flowerhill, now have their collection on line: Equestrian Photographic Services.
Strule Valley RC are planning an Easter Monday ride-out at the Baronscourt Estate in County Tyrone. Full details in their flyer:
SVRC Easter Hack at Baronscourt
While the main focus of member activity at the weekend was Flowerhill, Damien and Nadine plied their trade at Cloncaw Equestrian Centre’s cross country event in Glaslough, Monaghan. Enjoying beautiful weather, they were delighted with their clear round in the Novice Pairs. Old hand Molly lead the way at the outset but novice Millie took over about half way and didn’t bat an eyelid as she travelled in front for the remainder of the course. Riders and horses were delighted with themselves and they collected blue rosettes for their efforts. Well done, all four of you.
Full winning results from yesterday’s AIRC National Hunter Trial Championships are now on line at the AIRC website. The complete competitors’ finishing list will probably be published shortly.
Well done everybody, particularly to Anne and Marina, and to Geraldine as well who, as our youngest member competing at her first ever riding club hunter trial, rode a brilliant clear round on Cool in the Advanced Intermediate class.
Great weather, great riding, great fun and great results – everything came together for us this year at Flowerhill. After a ribbonless trip to the Galway venue in 2010, the club covered itself in glory in 2011. Anne Chambers on Molly had a magnificent win in the Advanced Primary Championship while, on her fourth trip to Flowerhill, Marina and the veteran Teldel took second place in the Intermediate Championship. Marina was a single second slower than the optimum time. The winner was a single second faster than it and thus, under riding club rules, took the higher placing.
A cloud settled gloomily over the Intermediate class when it transpired that Connor Gallagher of the Gaeltachts had come home clear on exactly the optimum time only to find that a careless fence judge had marked down a penalty on the score sheet. His objection was barely considered and he finished ignominiously down the field instead of in the centre of the limelight. Our hearts go out to you Connor. And the composure which he and his father Neil showed in the face of this injustice was admirable.
It was a brilliant weekend. Glancing back at the place one last time as the lorry pulled out the gate for the long road home, Erica summed it all up: “I can’t wait to come back next year”. Amen to that.
Photos in the Gallery. Check out the Donegal Gaeltacht’s report and photos too on their website.
Pictured below: Anne, our Advanced Primary champion, and Marina, in the Intermediate ribbons.
Letterkenny Riding Club