Pre-Flowerhill cross country schooling at Lenamore *updated with times*

With Flowerhill now less than two weeks away, Lenamore is the venue for some last minute fine tuning of cross country skills and fitness this Sunday, 10 April. Cormac McCormack is organising the expedition. Groups are being determined along club lines for insurance and AIRC protocol reasons:

12 pm  Tirconaill
1.30 pm Donegal Gaeltacht
3 pm  Letterkenny

You may participate in the schooling session even if you’re not heading to Flowerhill. However, you must be Advanced Primary grade or above and it’s compulsory to wear a regulation skull cap and back protector.

For more information and to book, contact Cormac on 087 251 4417.

Pictured below: A reminder of the cross country course at Lenamore — Damien on Orla’s Molly competing at our 2009 Crossjump.

Strangles survey

Eithne Mac Carthy, a fourth year veterinary medicine student in University College Dublin, is undertaking a World Horse Welfare funded investigation
into the prevalence of strangles in horses and ponies in Ireland.

Eithne’s project aims to measure the level of sub-clinical Strangles in populations of Irish horses (identifying possible carriers) and with this information develop an eradication plan.The test for Strangles is a quick and simple one – a single blood sample and a short history of the animal is all that is required. A positive result means that the horse has been exposed to Strangles within a short time previously or that it is a sub-clinical carrier of the disease. Positive horses could infect other horses. The sampling procedure is completely anonymous, but if owners wish to receive results free of charge, that can be arranged.

Participation in this study would be greatly appreciated and Eithne says it will be very beneficial for the equine community as a whole in Ireland. Please contact her either by email (eithne.maccarthy@ucdconnect.ie) or phone (087 945 8599) if you would like any further information or to take part in this study.

Relaxed and healthy partners spotted in Letterkenny

It’s good to see that Paddy has his priorities right. Scarcely 48 hours back in the country, on Saturday he and Lizzie were spotted out shoe shopping for the new season at the Mountain Top. The pair of them are a great advertisement for taking a 3-month winter break. Seamus has kept Lizzie in prime order and she looks a million dollars after her holiday in Upper Corkery. Paddy’s daughter made an equally good job of looking after the 2-legged side of the partnership in the warmer climate of the southern United States.

Some further notes on last Friday’s flatwork

Liz, chief organiser of our current series of flatwork lessons with Patricia Warren, has provided some further observations on the initial session last week. She reports that Nadine rode Millie who was full of beans and anxious to show off her musculature. This performance left Liz’s own mare Judy unphased, as were the others! And Vera resurrected her former mount, Ollie, while Tia is recovering from minor surgery. Ollie forgot how boring flatwork lessons were until Vera borrowed the Chief Organiser’s schooling whip!

Team show jumping training begins at Templemore

With the team show show jumping qualifier now just four weeks away, extra training sessions for those interested in being selected begin this Tuesday with Kelda in Templemore. Next week’s session will also be in Templemore while the remaining two are most likely to take place at Cyril’s arena in Milford.

Please let Orla know on 087 643 2458 if you plan to attend.

Tuition and competition on an active April weekend

The  North West League may be over but there’s no shortage of activity for members who want to get out with their horses for club activities. Friday evening saw the first of three flatwork lessons with Patricia Warren at Cyril’s arena in Milford. It was good to have John Kelly back in the saddle after a hectic period spent keeping one eye on the Six Nations and the other on daughter Phillippa. He thoroughly enjoyed the lesson.

Sunday, the traditional competition day for riding clubs, saw the usual huge entries at Benbulben Riding Club’s spring league show in Tubberbride. Laura McGowan was delighted with her double clear in the Advanced Primary class and, although she didn’t place on the day, it won’t be long until she’s driving home with rosettes on her dashboard.

At Intermediate level Anne Chambers rode a lovely dressage test on (Kiltown Miss) Molly to finish a highly creditable 6th in a large class. She then went on to deliver a clear round in the show jumping arena to make it to her first ever jump off. Richard Kerins built one of his characteristically flowing courses with eleven jumps, two of which were doubles. There was no shortage of water trays, vibrant planks, lighthouses and the like, making it an ideal away test for horses and riders thinking of their place for the team show jumping qualifier. The results were encouraging with both Libby on Mai (Somhairle Red Tiger) and Francis on Zak (In A Hurry) going clear to join Anne in the jump off.

Francis was the one to produce a truly impressive round to take the lead for a short while and eventually claim fourth place in a huge class. Ruth McCrossan just pipped him to take third spot with the ever-reliable Finola Murphy finishing in second. But on Mothers’ Day, it was an evergreen grandmother who enjoyed a memorable victory. Kelda Morgan’s mother, Glynis Morgan, jumped a beautiful round on her cracking grey to conquer the field.

Pictured below: Francis and Zak in familiar company for the prize-giving at Benbulben Riding Club’s Spring League Show.

Coillte invites input on its Draft Strategic Management Plan

How many of you would like legal access to a nearby area of forestry? Now is your chance to let Coillte know that it would be beneficial to permit equestrian activity on their property.

Coillte invites comments and input on its draft strategic management plan which you can access on line through the Coillte website. The plan will be locked down on Monday 4 April so time is of the essence.