Mary and crew in Glenleary are just putting together final plans for this Sunday’s show in Ramelton. With two show jumping rings, dressage classes, combined training and a handy horse obstacle course there should be something for everyone. Pony classes will take place in the morning with a nice lie in for the horses. They kick off at 2.30 pm with the handy horse class while horse jumping starts at 4 pm.
Friday evening jumping in Lenamore
Marina has organised jumping sessions at Lenamore for the next three Fridays. Kelda will teach a lesson this coming Friday, 18 June, followed by clear round jumping on Friday 25 June. The series will conclude with another lesson with Kelda on Friday 2 July.
Book with Marina on 086 821 6335.
Directions to Lenamore · Download
Cross country session enjoyed by both horses and riders
Friday evening’s cross country session at Marina’s place in St Johnston was a great success. Rachel marked out a 1700 meter course through two hilly fields and a section of the old Londonderry & Lough Swilly railway track that runs along the banks of the Foyle at the bottom of Marina’s family’s farm. Staking the course tested the stamina of the riders and made the effort required of the horses patently clear.
Given the inclines of the route, Rachel designated a fairly slow time as the target. Ed and Gabriel clocked the riders. Despite the steep hills which severely reduced the pace in both downward and upward directions, a couple of the fitter horses came remarkably close to the optimum time set for the track.
After riding the course twice and meeting Winnie, the pot-bellied pig, everybody enjoyed a wonderful spread of home-baked treats at the very welcoming family table. Many thanks to Marina, Enda and all the family.
P.S. If people would like to do this exercise again and we can find a suitable farm and evening, Rachel is happy to oblige. It’s an ideal introduction to cross country riding for novices. Martina and Rosa enjoyed their first cross country experience and the whoop of delight as they charged up the hill was proof of the exhilarating pleasure of riding a horse in open country.
Festival weekend at Stradbally
With the sun shining on dry countryside it’s difficult not to be just a little envious of the riding club members from all over the country enjoying the Festival at Stradbally this weekend. After a virtual wash-out last year, this year’s event should be more of the “Equestrian Picnic” that everybody looks forward to.
With Sharon O’Donnell deciding in the end not to travel, Letterkenny is unrepresented for the first time in a couple of years. Five of our neighbours from the Donegal Gaeltacht have travelled – the McCrossan sisters, and Patricia, Bruce and Lawrence from the Killult stable in Falcarragh. They’ll fly the Donegal flag and we wish them the best of luck.
Pictured below: Mary Finneran on Bart and Drew on Kate at the Festival in 2008.
Drumlin Hounds Crossjump, Sunday 27 June
Drumlin Hounds Harriers are running a Cross Jump competition on Sunday 27 June at their all weather course in Cootehill, Co Cavan. There are Novice and Open classes and the event starts at 1pm. Several members of the club thoroughly enjoyed the hunter trials at the same venue this Spring and the track is excellent for schooling.
Further information from Arlene, 086 192 9939.
Pictured below: Mick and Leo negotiating the second water jump at the Drumlin Hounds Hunter Trials earlier in the year.
Guinea pigs for Monty Roberts
Have you a problem horse that you feel like hauling all the way to the RDS? Monty Roberts will be at the Horse Show in Dublin and Equus Training Ireland are looking for suitably difficult horses for his demonstrations. The AIRC is facilitating the search for young horses that have not yet been introduced to saddle, bridle or rider. There’s also a need for horses that buck, rear, kick, are headshy, hard to catch, won’t stand to mount, have been single line lunged, fear clippers, are difficult to load on a trailer, or that simply need ridden help.
It sounds like a great experience – almost worth teaching your perfect horse bad habits in order to have a candidate…
For further information please contact: Caroline Jennings on 087 985 5790 or selection@equus.ie
Beach Show results and more photos
Full show jumping results from Sunday’s beach show in Falcarragh are now posted on the Donegal Gaeltacht’s website and their Gallery has some lovely photographs:
AIRC Western Region Training Day
The Western Region’s annual training day takes place on Sunday 11 July at Flowerhill EC, County Galway. Training is available in three disciplines – cross country, show jumping and dressage. It’s a long way to travel for a day but it’s reportedly a very worthwhile event and some members might like to make a weekend of it. Contact Libby if you’re interested in attending (086 830 1392).
Another magical day in the Donegal Gaeltacht
The Donegal Gaeltacht’s Beach Show in Falcarragh lived up to all expectations for another year. The superbly run and excellently attended event at Ballyness Bay attracted clubs from all over the region but the hosts held their own in many of the classes.
On a highly competitive day, our own club’s achievements included a first for Nadine and Molly in the Advanced Intermediate dressage, first for Orla and her Molly in the Dressage to Music, and a vintage success for Damien and Armstrong in the Topscore. There were plenty of other ribbons on the day, most notably Paddy and Lizzie’s third place out of a massive entry in the Advanced Primary show jumping, Francis’s near miss when taking second in the 3-way jump off for the Intermediate show jumping, and Nadine’s thirds in both the Topscore and Advanced Intermediate show jumping. To round off a great day, Orla won the Best Turned Out female rider and Damien took the Best Turned Out male rider.
Congratulations to the Donegal Gaeltachts on a truly memorable day. Roll on 2011.
Enniskillen Horse & Pony Show, Necarne, 19 June
Enniskillen Horse & Pony Show takes place at one of the finest venues in the region, Necarne Castle, on Saturday 19 June. There’s an extensive schedule with showing classes, working hunter, and show jumping. There’s a dog show too as well as a birds of prey display, arts & crafts, and children’s activities.
Letterkenny Riding Club 