Opportunities for a dry run before our show

It would probably do all of us good to get in a dry run over a course of jumps before our show on Saturday 23. We plan to have clear round jumping at Cyril’s on Thursday 21. Orla will be doing the course building on Wednesday so anybody who can give a hand will be welcome.

For members from the Derry direction, Templemore’s training shows begin just in time next week, also on Thursday 21.

Assembling the teams for our show jumping challenge

With just 10 days to go until our Autumn Show it’s time to start assembling our teams for the team challenge. Francis and Orla will be the chief selectors. Please let Francis (086 372 2542) know in the next couple of days if you plan to compete at the show. The team challenge doesn’t involve any extra jumping—your score from your individual class counts for the team competition.

Pictured below: Damien on Armstrong, Nadine on Molly, Rachel on Matilda and Orla on (Molly standing in for) Daisy, the team that won the P Mulrine & Sons Challenge Cup for Letterkenny Riding Club in the North West Challenge, 2008.

Hunter trial success for Donegal

Castle Leslie Estate’s first hunter trials on Saturday proved lucrative for the Donegal riders who made the journey. Armstrong confirmed that he’s still at the top of his game by carrying off yet another red ribbon, this time with Libby in the saddle. Unlike riding club hunter trials which are judged under optimum time, this traditional trial against the clock suited the speedster down to the ground and he flew around the open galloping track to win the Novice individual class. East Donegal Pony Club members, the Haleys and Cuffes, placed 4th and 6th respectively.

In the Pairs competition the Haley twins took 1st, the Cuffe sisters finished 2nd and Tanya (enjoying her first ever pairs competition) and Libby came 5th. Not a bad day for the travellers! Fiona Haley has promised to send on some photos. In the meantime, you can try spotting everybody on the KGB Equestrian Photography website.

On Sunday, in Claregalway, Orla continued her mission to gain experience competing on different horses when she rode three dressage tests on two different mounts at Corrib Riding Club’s autumn show. There were no ribbons at the end of the day but a 23% improvement from the first to the second test on a green horse which was new to the game is testament to Orla’s good riding.

Diverse destinations

Club members are heading in divergent directions this weekend as expertise and interest in different disciplines dictates the itinerary. Tanya, Liz and Libby (and Anne and Keary, if they can squeeze it in before a wedding!) are heading to Castle Leslie for the hunter trials on Saturday. On Sunday, Orla plans to fly the club flag at the Corrib Riding Club’s western region show in Claregalway, with several entries in the dressage class.

Good luck everybody and make sure you all pass on some good pictures!

Getting the ball rolling for the 2011 North West League

Francis, Orla and Paddy, this year’s club coordinators for the North West League, will be meeting with the Tirconaills and Donegal Gaeltachts next Thursday, 14 October, to get the ball rolling for the 2011 edition. If anybody else is interested in being actively involved and can make a commitment to helping with the planning and organisation of the league, you’re more than welcome to attend the meeting. Everybody will be called on to help at the actual events themselves but we need a core of members to work with the other two clubs to get things up and running.

We’re also interested in getting people’s feedback on the last league. If you don’t wish to be involved in the coordination of the league but would like to air your views on the competition, contact either Orla, Francis or Paddy before next Thursday’s meeting.

Finally, none of our three coordinators have committed to anything beyond attending this preliminary planning meeting so we’re not taking it for granted that they’re prepared to do the donkey work for another season!

Pictured below: Martina and Rosa with Lawrence Smyth of the Donegal Gaeltachts at this year’s North West League.

World Equestrian Games building up nicely for Nadine & Damien

Nadine and Damien flew yesterday from Ireland to the States for the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. Having safely boarded the two mares with Audrey, Damien did some last minute shoeing for John and Sharon before Harvey was dropped off to continue his pelvis rehab with Nadine’s sister. By now they should be safely in Bluegrass Country with all thoughts of sick and injured animals set aside for the next ten days.

Meanwhile the Alltech Games have been in progress for well over a week and some of the disciplines have been completed. Eventing, dressage, reining and endurance riding are already wrapped up with the show jumping, vaulting, para-dressage and driving still to run. Not to talk about the trade stands…  Jealous?

Big Turnout for Bothar Rideout

It sounds like Mary’s charity ride-out in aid of Bothar was a great success, going by the official press release:

Hillsborough Farm Shop and Glenleary Stables were blessed with glorious weather for their charity ride out on Sunday 26 September. The Edwards Family of Hillsborough Farm threw open their gates and welcomed all to enjoy their beautiful farm at Ramelton, Co. Donegal, with stunning views of Lough Swilly.

There was a marvellous turnout with over 50 participants; young and old, big and small, fast and slow, and all had a fantastic time. Three separate groups rode out from and returned to the farm, the “go if you dare” group kindly led by Rachel Carton, the intermediate group led by Mary Finneran and the “easy does it” group led by Orla O’Reilly.

Martin Anderson of Crest Catering Company very kindly donated his time and expertise to feed the masses cooking up a feast which included a hearty soup and an array of goodies and wonderful homemade burgers donated by the Hillsborough Farm Shop,  Linda Truelston treated all to her delicious deserts.

Over €1700 was raised for Bothar and the organisers would like to extend their appreciation to all who supported the ride out.  It is hoped this will become an annual event which will continue to combine great fun with raising funds for good causes.

As bad luck would have it, a recurrence of Mary’s shoulder injury means that she won’t after all be taking part in Bothar’s Zambia Trek which originally provided the impetus for the fund raising. At least lots of other people got a huge amount of pleasure out of her efforts. Hopefully she’ll see Africa some day on a horse.

Pictured below: Good riding followed by good food in good weather — what a perfect recipe for success.


Great weather, great scenery for National Trails Day ride

The weather front that was meant to pelt us this weekend obligingly passed us by on a more easterly course (poor Ryder Cup…) and Coillte’s National Trails Day saw Donegal looking its brilliant best.

Mick, Suzanne, Paddy, Leo and Libby joined members of the Donegal Gaeltacht riding club for a very enjoyable ride through Coillte’s Errigal Forest. It was nice to get out with our neighbouring club members in a non-competitive environment for a change. A very big thanks to Roisin for all her work organising the formalities with Coillte.

Pictured below: The drive into Errigal Forest. More photos in the Gallery.