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!
No joy for Donegal at National ODE; British success for AIRC show jumpers
Provisional results from the National ODE at Annaharvey yesterday have been posted. Neither of our Gaeltacht neighbours finished among the ribbons but hopefully it was a worthwhile expedition nonetheless. A full report will appear on the AIRC website in due corse.
AIRC National One-Day Event 2010 | Provisional Results
On Saturday, Greenhills Riding Club, representing Ireland and the AIRC, pulled off a major victory at the British Riding Clubs Senior Team Championship. What a great achievement.
Looking beyond the rain to Millers Hill
The countdown continues. Less than a week now to our trip to Millers Hill and, despite the gloomy view out the window over the last few days, it looks like we might pull off the usual miracle with the weather. Campers will need warm sleeping bags but we might be able to pack lightly on the rain gear end of things:
As last year, the plan is to arrive at Millers Hill around noon on Saturday and we’ll have lunch once the horses are settled in their quarters. The cross country course will be the highlight of the first day and arrangements are in place for our expedition to Gosford Forest Park on Sunday. The National Trust rangers have kindly agreed to open the back gate to the estate so that we can hack safely and easily to the forest.
This year we haven’t formally arranged any polocrosse activities but there’ll be nothing to stop people having a go at it, if they wish. Carriage driving is very definitely on the itinerary.
Bon vacances, Fenway – what’s another year?
12 months ago, Fenway and Libby were in Tullamore competing at the National ODE Championships. A year later, having just completed 6 weeks of box rest and walking rehab, Fenway is celebrating Week 1 of a year’s sabbatical — only 51 to go. A recurrent suspensory ligament problem which defies all rehab programmes, care and nursing, has earned the club’s most fragile four-legged a year out in the field.
Damien has dispatched Armstrong to Rathmullan to take up super-sub duties. He’s settled in happily and, all going according to plan, he’ll stay until Christmas. At that stage he’ll be relieved of duty by Libby’s earliest riding club mount, her sister Catherine’s Anglo-Arab mare, Mai. Mai currently has a foal at foot but she’ll be weaned by the end of the year.
Now Libby is considering her chances of reaching the bestseller lists with her proposed book, Surviving the Heartbreak: Home-baked Psychology for Horse-Owners. Meanwhile she’s available 24/7 for counselling distraught club members whose horses have hit the skids.
Pictured below: Fenway‘s last riding club appearance at the Border Counties ODE in July; Enjoying Week 1 in the sanatorium with pal, Prophet.
Hunter trials at Castle Leslie, Saturday 9 October
Some snooping on the Castle Leslie RC website has thrown up a real gem: it looks like Castle Leslie (the equestrian centre, not the club) are planning a hunter trial for Saturday 9 October. More news as it’s unearthed…
Cyril and Ava take dressage honours
Our three weeks of flatwork instruction were put to the test on Friday evening when about half of Jackie’s pupils turned out to ride a formal test. For a couple — Suzanne and Maura — it was their first ever dressage test and they overcame the psychological hurdle with smiles on their faces. Their’s were probably the greatest achievements of the evening but, in formal terms, it was Cyril on Lady in the Primary & Advanced Primary division and Ava on Spirit in the Intermediate & Above class who were the night’s big winners.
A very big thanks to Jackie for the detailed and constructive feedback on the tests, to Audrey and Rachel for scribing, and to Ed for camera duty (there were other cameras there on the night too so cough up the photos everybody!). The biggest thank you of all goes to Martina who managed record numbers of members on each of four Fridays in an expert manner.
Pictured below: Club chairman Francis presents the 1st place prizes and rosettes to Cyril and Ava.
Pilates classes at the Milford Inn
Several of our members have benefitted from the pilates classes which take place at the Milford Inn on a regular basis. There’s a new series starting on Wednesday next, 15 September. Classes are at 10.30 am and cost €60 for six weeks. If you’re interested, contact Jackie on 086 341 0756.
Team show jumping invitation from Strule Valley Riding Club
The club has received a very nice invitation from Strule Valley Riding Club in Tyrone to send two teams to their Inter-Club Show Jumping Challenge on the evening of Wednesday 3 November at Ecclesville. Following the usual SJAI format and rules for team competitions, two riders will jump 75 cm and two will jump 85 cm. A team can be made up of three or four riders.
We can discuss it at our general club meeting on Sunday 26 September.
No Letterkennys for National ODE at Annaharvey
Unlike last year when three members travelled to the National One-Day Event Championships, this year the club has no competitors at the event this weekend. Travel costs are a serious consideration for most of us these days and trips aren’t undertaken lightly. Add to the financial constraints the difficulty of keeping horses fit and sound and it’s clear why we won’t always be represented at championship events. Of the three horses who participated last year, two (Fenway and Molly) are currently laid up in dry dock.
Patricia Warren and Connor Gallagher represent the Donegal Gaeltachts while Sally Mahon, who qualified at Border Counties for the Open Championship class, is not among the entries. Anne Granahan is the only Benbulben member on the start list and there are no Tirconaills so we have relatively few neighbours travelling to the competition.
The AIRC has started to publish the breeding details of the horses entered in national championships and it makes for very interesting reading. Look carefully and you’ll spot our very own Jenny Coe as the breeder of one particular competition entry. She looked slightly puzzled when asked about it!
Used horseshoes?
What can you do with your horse’s cast-off shoes? Well, you could plant them amongst the roots of your hydrangea bush to make the pink blossoms turn purple, as Libby did. Alternatively, you could help this project that Orla spotted on Done Deal:
Letterkenny Riding Club 