Big weekend gets off to the best possible start

Whatever gods are on our side, we thank you. Who could wish for a finer forecast for a weekend of equestrian activity? Tonight’s Friday evening flatwork lessons with Patricia Warren were graced with the kind of weather most non-locals don’t believe we experience in Donegal. Patricia will have had a short night’s sleep after she hurried home from Cyril’s to prepare the yard at Killult for her absence at Flowerhill.

The hallmark Killult lorry will pull in at Flowerhill around 6.30pm, as it has done for the last number of years. By then Rachel, Libby and Erica — joined by the third Carton sister, Ross House RC’s Kate Carton — will be firmly entrenched at the front of the carparking area and their horses will have enjoyed an energetic leg-stretch around the non-competition areas of the extensive Flowerhill estate. Camp stoves will be running at full throttle as Mick and Leo with Marina and Geraldine screech into the scene shortly before dusk falls over the campsite. Anne and Keary will have arrived at a respectable time in between the firsts and the lasts.

Meanwhile, back in Milford, Damien and Nadine will be enjoying a night in their own bed, sure in the knowledge that they’re going to have a great day out at the Cloncaw cross country trial at Glaslough in Monaghan. Martina will be planning her day’s activity with Smuggler, and countless other club members will continue their lives blissfully unaware of the unique experience they’re bypassing at Flowerhill.

And at the end of the day, those self same members will be happily asleep in their beds, their horses resting in their stables, while the Flowerhill warriors travel the long road home. Horses for courses. The great thing about the riding club is that there’s something for everyone.

Best of luck everybody. Enjoy yourselves and come home safely — everything else is a bonus.

Doolin Star, 13.2hh connemara pony for sale

Doolin Star, who has been seen on many occasions with both Libby and Rachel at riding club, is reluctantly for sale. Doolin is a 5 year old, 13.2hh (approx) connemara gelding by ‘Oisin’ (see full breeding on All Breed Pedigree). He has had one season’s hunting with the Donegal Harriers and has done everything from pony club rallies through dressage, show jumping, mounted games and polocrosse to pony racing and TREC.

Doolin is very good natured and willing, though he does occasionally see bogey men that the rider can’t see. He has never bucked, bitten, kicked etc. He’s good in traffic, to load, travel, clip, shoe and to handle. His jumping shows good promise, though he needs more experience with spooky fillers etc.

He would make a brilliant second pony for any child wanting to get out and have fun. Contact Rachel on 086 161 7087.

Show jumping at Richard Smyths

Richard Smyth of Mulvin Stables, Newtownstewart, is holding two days of show jumping at his yard. These will be on Easter Monday, 25 April, and on the bank holiday Monday, 2 May. Both days start at 10.00am with starter stakes jumping and classes run throughout the day up to 1m in height.

Contact Richard for further details on  0044 77 5395 7646.

Crunch time for TSJC team selection looms

Entries for the Team Show Jumping Championship qualifier close next Thursday, 21 April. It’s now time to nail your colours to the mast and let Orla know definitively whether you want to be considered for selection. Also, if you plan to participate, make sure your horse is registered with AIRC HQ before the closing date.

Contact Orla on 087 643 2458 to confirm that you want your name in the mix.

Pictured below: Damien, Nadine and Marina in action at last year’s qualifiers.

Five days to Flowerhill

The big day is approaching fast. On Saturday the traditional convoy of lorries and trailers will travel the long road from the four corners of Donegal to one of the finest cross country venues in the country, Flowerhill near Portumna in Galway. The AIRC National Hunter Trial Championship is by far the most popular national competition amongst the three Donegal clubs.

The horses will be stabled comfortably on site and most of the riders will be camping at the venue, in the luxury of lorries or the shelter of tents. Saturday evening’s camp meal will be a relaxed and enjoyable affair while Sunday morning’s breakfast will be swallowed with a sauce of butterflies and shakes.

Nine members of Letterkenny Riding Club are making the journey. Mick, Leo, Anne, Keary, Rachel, Libby and Marina have all been around before. Erica and Geraldine are this year’s freshmen. And there’ll be the usual entourage of foot followers who generously volunteer to help the competitors with the club’s fence stewarding duties on the day. That’s almost as much fun as riding the course.

Competitor times, the schedule and plenty of other information can now be seen on the AIRC website. You can keep an eye on the weather during the final countdown at Accuweather | Portumna.

Pictured below: Memories of Flowerhill 2010. All these suspects are going back for more in 2011.

First report in from a weekend of diverse activity

With Patricia Warren’s flatwork lessons on Friday evening and cross country schooling at Lenamore on Sunday, it was another active club weekend. But it’s from a non-club event that the first news from happy members has seeped in.

Marina and Martina both travelled to Deane’s for the cross jump event over mixed obstacles. Marina had the unrivalled pleasure of competing in the mini pairs class for the first time with her daughter Jade. This mixed-age feature of non-AIRC cross country classes is one of these competitions’ great attractions.

Post-North West League bowls evening

The success of this year’s North West League will be celebrated this Monday evening, 11 April, when we play bowls without the horses. All three clubs are getting together at 8pm at the McKemie Hall in Ramelton for a purely social evening. Let’s see if our show jumping prowess can be translated into bowling success — the grading system can be agreed on the night!

Everybody welcome. Contact Marina on 086 821 6335 for further information.