Orla stopped off at Richard Smyth’s show jumping league on the way home from BHS camp last night and spotted Tanya on Jack, Mick on Angel and Leo on Grace. Cyril was there on foot with daughter Helen and Regina Toland was there with daughter Naomi. Orla always has her course builder’s eye on the obstacles and was impressed by the range of jumps and particularly a few evil fillers that were on display. It sounds like a very worthwhile event.
Weekend weather set to play ball
Things have undoubtedly become more unsettled but who could argue with the warm breeze and brilliant periodic sunshine that we’re having at present? Anybody heading for events on grass this weekend will be thanking the gods for the recent rain. And the horses are probably happy to be seeing a bit of green in place of the desert scenes they’ve been confronted with for several weeks.
Tanya, Sharon O’Donnell and Libby head for the 2-Phase league at Glaslough this evening while plenty of members are booked in for Kelda’s lesson at Lenamore. Then it’s on to Rathmullan for our treasure hunt on Sunday.
Pictured below: Part of the treasure hunt route at Anny, overlooking Lough Swilly’s Scraggy Bay and the Knockalla hills.
Tuesday show jumping league at Lenamore
Lenamore’s registered Summer Horse League kicked off this week and continues on Tuesdays throughout July. Classes begin at 90 cm and continue up through the usual SJI grades to 1.30 m. All the jumping is on grass and each leg begins at 12 noon.
For further details contact Geraldine Graham on 074 938 4022 or +44 7968 180 782.
Horse-World Summer Sale
Horse-World in Ballina was set up last year by former Benbulben RC secretary, Anne Granahan, who saw a gaping hole in the regional market for a good tack shop. Since its establishment she’s been supplying the extended area with good quality tack and equestrian supplies. The shop’s summer sale starts tomorrow, 1 July, with lots of bargains in all departments and many items at half price.
Horse-World offers a 10% discount to riding club members year-round. You can order by phone. The standard postage cost is €10 but, again, riding club members benefit from a discounted rate of €7.50.
You’ll find full contact details on the Horse-World website’s holding page but Anne suggests the Facebook page as the best for news of special offers.
New member, Erica – the photographic evidence
Not many of our members manage to get out and compete for the club before turning up at some of our non-competitive activities. And when that competition is half the country away in Galway, there’s not much chance of us seeing the new recruit in the flesh. So for everybody who hasn’t yet met Erica and Britney, here’s some lovely photographic evidence from their trip to Galway recently.
At the Finn Valley Show last weekend the pair placed 4th in both the Lightweight Ridden Hunter and Riding Horse classes.
Pictured below: Erica on Britney at the riding club section of the Galway County Show.
Treasure Hunt, 1pm, Sunday 4 July, Rathmullan
There’s no sign of the big bright sun we’re hoping for as yet but hopefully it will appear on demand for our team treasure hunt on Sunday. The start and finish point is Oughterlin Church near Rathmullan, an unmistakable landmark in the middle of nowhere with lots of parking.
Start time is 1pm. Please don’t turn up extra-early because 11 o’clock mass will mean the parking is tight!
Teams can be of up to four riders and you should pick your team mates to suit your hacking habits. If you prefer not to trot on the road, make sure your partners don’t plan to aim for the fastest time! You may of course also go as an individual if you like your Sunday solitude. The route is largely over tiny tarred roads with some stretches on untarred laneways.
Francis is planning two circuits — a full-length one for the hardcore competitors (apprx 12 miles) and a shorter version for less ambitious participants.
It would be very helpful in planning start times and refreshments if as many people as possible could let Francis know in advance that they plan to participate – 086 372 2542.
Tanya and Jack successfully defend their Finn Valley titles
At Saturday’s Finn Valley Show in Killygordon, Tanya successfully saw off all challengers in both the ridden and in-hand coloured classes. She and Jack were defending the titles they had won 12 months ago. Congratulations to the pair.
Finn Valley Show is a lovely, well organised event and Tanya and Audrey would like to commend the organisers for their dedication in providing a lovely day out each year.
Erica and Britney placed 4th in both the Lightweight Hunter and the Riding Horse classes. Former club member James Diver swept the board with his incomparable heavyweight hunter, Pajero. He took the Championship as well as his individual class.
Pictured below: Tanya and Jack
Idyllic ILDRA ride-out at Baronscourt
Marina and Rachel both participated in the ILDRA endurance ride at Baronscourt on Sunday. Marina accompanied her daughters on Shank’s Mare and opted for the shorter circuit while Rachel rode the 12 mile route with daughter Emma and two friends. Rachel was pretty impressed with the day:
The chance to ride on an estate as extensive as Baronscourt is a rare opportunity but, if it arises again, I would STRONGLY recommend everyone to make full use of it. Myself, Emma, Jacqui and Rachel enjoyed 12 miles of absolutely idyllic surroundings comprising forest tracks, private avenues and some very quiet public roads. There was ample opportunity for cantering and terrain varied between hilly woodland and flat lakeside trails. There were a few gates to be opened and closed at the start and finish of the route but we delegated the job to the kids who are young and nimble and need the practice more than we do!! Our mounts consisted of a 3-year-old racehorse, two newly broken ponies and one old reliable to keep us all right, and every one of them thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Having completed the ride we enjoyed a well earned picnic as the horses relaxed and cropped picture perfect grass. We not only received lovely rosettes for completing the ride, we also saw deer in their natural environment and had a chance to totally unwind and forget the worries of the world. Don’t miss this ILDRA ride next year.
Pictured below: Rachel’s posse at Baronscourt, photographed from her perch on Bruce, a 3-yr-old thoroughbred racing tripod.
Three lucky members off to BHS summer camp at Necarne
Rachel, Martina and Orla travel to Necarne on Monday afternoon for a three-day BHS summer camp. The horses—Dante, Rosa and Molly—take up temporary residence in the beautiful cut stone stable yard while their riders sleep in rooms above them. On top of two intensive sessions of tuition daily, they’ll hack out around the estate to their hearts’ content. Add a few demonstrations and plenty of socialising to the itinerary and there’s not much time left over for anything but sleep.
The camps run every year on several dates and Letterkenny club members have participated many times. For further information on the camps and on the BHS (British Horse Society) in general, visit their websites:
A diversion from equestrian activity: Sailing & kayaking in Rathmullan
There’s a definite parallel between the feel you need for riding a horse and the feel you need to sail a dinghy. For anybody who fancies trying their hand at tiller and mainsheet as a change from two reins, classes at Rathmullan Sailing & Watersports School are in full swing. High season weeks are already practically fully booked but there’s still availability in the weeks of 5 and 26 July, as well as in late August.
Evening classes for working sinners run on Mondays and Wednesdays, or by special arrangement. The school’s 6 new kayaks have just arrived and kayaking classes will start on demand. A Level 1 kayaking course takes a very manageable two consecutive evenings and will run on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Further information on the school’s website, Rathmullan Sailing or contact Andrew on 087 982 1209 or Rick on 086 386 3455.
Letterkenny Riding Club 