Full details for Bothar charity ride-out, Sunday 26 September

Final details for Mary Finneran’s ride-out this Sunday have been revealed. Meet and register at 12.30 at Hillsborough Farm. Directions to the farm will be signposted from Ramelton Post Office (note that the ride does not go from or to Glenleary). Enjoy yourself riding and work up an appetite before the barbeque in the afternoon. Read full details on the event and on Bothar’s work in Mary’s press release and flyer:
Charity Ride-Out for Bothar | Ride-Out Flyer

Pictured below: The Glenleary and Hillsborough partnership.

Castle Leslie hunter trials, Saturday 9 October

On a day when Benbulben RC confirmed that they will not be holding a hunter trial on 3 October, it’s nice to hear that Castle Leslie Equestrian Centre has confirmed their event for Saturday 9 October. Starting at 10.30 am, there are the usual Open and Novice pairs and individual classes.

For information and advance booking contact Helen Turnbull on 047 88535.
Castle Leslie Hunter Trials 2010

Clear round jumping at Cyril’s, Friday 24 September

This Friday we’re moving away from flatwork for an evening of clear round jumping at Cyril’s arena. Orla built the course on Wednesday since she won’t be able to be there on Friday evening. Please let Erica know if you plan to attend so that she can get an idea of the heights that everybody would like to jump and coordinate the evening efficiently – 083 370 9333.

Millers Hill lives up to Millers Hill

A success in Year 1 is so often followed by an anticlimax in Year 2. Incessant rain, busted lorries and injured horses failed to dampen spirits and Year 2 matched (if not exceeded) the expectations that had lingered over the 12 months since our 2009 visit to Millers Hill.

The Shark Partnership of Leo & Cyril took pool table honours while Damien retained his crown in the carriage driving championship. Outshining even these magnificent achievements, Mick won the Millers Hill Perpetual Trophy for Most Entertaining Guest. As an aside, we did some riding on the cross country course and hacked in Gosford Forest Park.

Given the weather there are certainly no photos which can even remotely capture the spirit of the trip —word of mouth will work its magic. Hopefully everybody who wants to go to Millers Hill will be able to wait out the next 12 months until it’s time to travel again.

Pictured below: Rain-free moments from Millers Hill. There are a few more in the Gallery.

All set for Millers Hill

Unexpected yankee visitors, sick animals and elusive baby-sitters have diluted the numbers for Millers Hill but there’ll still be a notable convoy heading down the road on Saturday morning. Mick and Leo missed the expedition last year but nothing short of an earthquake will prevent them travelling tomorrow. They’ll be joined by 2009 veterans Audrey and Tanya, John and Sharon, Francis and Maura, Marina and Enda, Cyril, Aodhan, Damien and Libby. To everyone who wanted desperately to come and cannot make it, we’ll miss you greatly.

The plan is to arrive about noon on Saturday and depart late afternoon on Sunday. The weather looks mixed for the first day but should be fine for our ride in Gosford Forest Park on Sunday.

Millershill Maps | Download
Accuweather | Armagh

Membership increases again with Marys, old and new

The club quota of Marys has been restored to its usual healthy level. Mary Finneran, a founder member of the club, has rejoined after a very short spell on the sidelines while Mary Friel joins us as a new member. She hails from Tamney on the western side of the Fanad peninsula and will ride her lovely bay cob for club activities. We look forward to seeing you both out with us over the remaining months of 2010.

National Trails Day dead end

Months ago, following the first announcement of Sunday 3 October as the 2010 date for National Trails Day, the club submitted a request to Coillte for permission to hold a ride-out in Ards Forest Park. Silence. Repeated attempts to confirm that the request had been received were greeted with… yes, silence.

A couple of weeks ago Coillte issued a press release encouraging all interested groups to log their intended activity for National Trails Day on their website. A follow-up phone call landed us at the desk of the person whose name was attached to the press release. He promptly took the details of the club’s request and promised that the forester at Ards would be in touch post haste. Since then? Silence. That was until Martina was able to provide direct contact details for Kevin McCarthy of Coillte in Donegal. He at least had the courtesy to contact us to deliver his emphatic “No!”.

Foresters don’t like horses and there’s also an awkward question of “mixed use” on any one day. Mixed use poses an insurance problem. Given that Ards is always open to the general public, it’s highly unlikely that they’ll ever agree to keep the walking and cycling enthusiasts locked out for a few hours while we are admitted to ride in the forest. Well, it was worth a try…

Pictured below: The view from Mongorry Hill on our 2009 National Trails Day ride-out in Mongorry Woods near Raphoe.

Hunter trialling in the (scarcely) distant past

A quick google search for further details on the (hopefully) upcoming hunter trials at Annaghmore in Sligo threw up this article in the Irish Independent. Reading the intro paragraphs, it’s amusing to think that it was written just over three years ago — especially the line about the rows of shiny 4 x 4s. Many of them were probably commercials and will soon be up on blocks when their owners can’t afford to tax them!

The Thrill of the Hunter Trial