4 year-old grey TB mare for sale

Club member Regina Bonner is selling a very good looking grey thoroughbred mare with good paces that she believes will make an ideal riding horse. By Portrait Gallery, she only raced once so has none of the ingrained annoying habits of ex-racehorses. The asking price is very reasonable.

She’s about 16hh and is fully vaccinated and has a passport. She has a very good jump, she’s sound and she’s a good doer. Regina has shown her at the Churchill show at The Rock where she picked up two second places in the in-hand classes.

For further information contact Regina on 087 991 0134.

Pictured below: 4 year-old grey mare for sale.

Charity ride-out, Sunday 26 September

Mary Finneran, founder member of the club, is participating in a Bóthar charity challenge ride in Africa this October. She has undertaken a huge fundraising drive for the expedition and is planning some events in the coming weeks.

A charity ride-out will take place on Sunday 26 September. Leaving from Glenleary, Ramelton, the ride-out will be an all-day affair with a BBQ in the afternoon. Riders will be divided into two groups — one more advanced and the other a novice ride/happy hackers group — with gaits to suit the fitness and enthusiasm of everyone.

Mary would dearly love as much support as possible from riding club members. More details and sponsorship cards are available from the stables or contact Mary on 086 170 2357.

The science of riding

An equine scientist observing the colourful collection of horses and riders at our flatwork lesson with Jackie on Friday evening would probably have had difficulty deducing any strong theories about the optimum mechanics of the relationship between horse and rider. Unbeknownst to most of us, it seems that Jackie* has been involved in some fairly serious research into the effect of the rider on a horse’s performance and movement.

Jackie was a highly accomplished eventing rider in her earlier life. Before an accident prevented her from enjoying her sport from the saddle she won a bronze medal in the European Young Rider 3-day Event Championships at Burley, England, in 1983. A quick Google of her name threw up this highly specialised piece of research on Coordination Dynamics of the Horse-Rider System. Hopefully we’ll all be a little bit closer to the ideal combination after Jackie’s third lesson!

* Perhaps there are two eventing Jackies out there (always a risk with Google searches), but it’s unlikely. We’ll check that it’s actually her on Friday.

Back to (flat)work on a Friday evening

We’ve never experienced such a huge interest in Friday evening lessons. Martina, charged with running her first set of club activities, was inundated with members texting their bookings for Friday evening’s flatwork lesson with Jackie McPherson. Jackie wanted five on each lesson; Martina accommodated everybody who booked by the cut-off time of Wednesday evening. The compromise was six on a lesson and another six disappointed members turned away as the evening oversubscribed on Thursday. First come, first served. There are advantages and disadvantages to a burgeoning membership.

Jackie’s irrepressible mixture of humour and hard-core instruction was as well-received as ever. There was a definite air of back-to-school about the evening and some correspondingly exuberant behaviour from the Castleshanaghan contingent (for which Audrey and Tanya would like to apologise) but it all contributed to a hugely enjoyable evening and an enviable club atmosphere.

If you haven’t done so already, to avoid disappointment book immediately for next week’s installment.

Pictured below: The inimitable Jackie McPherson and her motley collection of pupils. See the Gallery for more Friday evening action.

Wexford Insurances launch new HorseGuard policy

Wexford Insurances, the AIRC’s insurers, are launching HorseGuard, a new insurance policy for both horse & rider. Many of our members are members of the British Horse Society (BHS) and avail of the insurance included in their membership benefits but it’s always worth looking at what else is on the market:

“Wexford Insurances recognised the need for an All-in-One package for horse & rider at a competitive price to compliment our other range of products available to the equine world. Having discussed this need with insurers we are delighted to now be in a position to exclusively provide equestrian enthusiasts with this complete product.” said Mr. Gary Johnston, Director, Wexford Insurances.

HorseGuard insurance is an All-in-One package insuring both the horse & rider. The policy covers the horse for all risks of mortality including the theft and straying. The owners and riders legal liabilities are covered along with limited personal accident cover for the permitted rider.

HorseGuard is suitable for ponies and horses used for Breeding, Hacking, Club Events, Gymkhanas, Showing in Hand, Heavy Horses, Unbroken Animals, Dressage, Rearing, Hunting, Showjumping, Eventing, Polo, Endurance & Long Distance Riding, Foals (30 days to 12 months).

Wexford Insurances was established in 1996 in South Main Street, Wexford as a general insurance broker. In that time they have gone from strength to strength in all departments, while specialising in Equestrian Insurance. The company has experienced continuous growth and now employs 21 members of staff.

For more information download their HorseGuard brochure, log on to their website or call 053 912 2466.

Another week, another new member

We’re happy to welcome another new member to the club. Suzanne Deeney Wylie from Rathmullan has joined us. She’ll ride at Advanced Primary level and we hope she has a lot of fun. Her riding club career looks set to kick off under Jackie’s eye this Friday evening at Harleys.