No joy for Letterkenny as Benbulben head for RDS

After a long and entertaining day, Benbulben Riding Club took the honours at the TSJC regional qualifier yesterday, beating Tynagh RC in a rousing jump-off. Donegal Gaeltacht were narrowly pipped for the top spot and took an honourable third in a very tough competition.

Our own teams jumped with great credit and finished in the middle of the field. All in all, it was a memorable and worthwhile experience and we’ll be back with enthusiasm in 2011.

More images in the Gallery. Check out Donegal Gaeltacht’s collection too: Donegal Gaeltacht Gallery
Pictured below: Our two teams on the big day.

Working Hunter Challenge League

Tirnaskea Connemara Stud & X-Jump near Smithboro, Monaghan are running a Working Hunter Challenge League at present. Next dates are 8 May, 22 May and Sunday 6 June (final).

According to Castle Leslie Riding Club’s website, there are Mini, Midi and Maxi Classes with Clear Round Jumping before each class. The league is confined to all 2010 registered Riding Club and Pony Club members. The initial entrance fee for the league in each class is 20 euros followed by 10 euros thereafter. The entry fee for Clear Round is 5 euros. The first class starts at 10am sharp.

To register and for more info contact Aiden on 086 226 6078 or Stephen on 086 225 5046, or email xjumpin.tirnaskea@yahoo.ie.

Final details for Sunday’s TSJC Qualifier | updated

Okay, we know what we’re up against at last. There are 24 teams entered for the Team Show Jumping Qualifier this Sunday. Our first team will jump 5th and our second team will jump 22nd of the 24 teams. Allowing 2 minutes for each round of jumping, we’re estimating that the competition will last seven hours. Definitely a day for picnics and socialising.

Team & Rider Running Order | Updated · Download

We have officially called on our 1m reserve rider for our B team. That means that Damien will ride Al this Sunday for the B team with Sharon and Sky moving to the reserve position. Sharon remains as the 1m reserve rider for the A team.

The region will need each competing club to provide a number of volunteers to help on the day. If those of you who plan to go along to support the team are happy to volunteer, it will make the day easier for the club’s riders. Contact Orla on 087 643 2458 if you’d be willing to lend a hand. We are responsible for the warm-up area for Ring 2 from 2 pm until 4 pm.

Finally, a reminder of the schedule:
11.00 Course open for inspection
12.00 Parade of Teams
12.30 Competition begins

Directions to Kerins’s EC · Download

15h mare available on loan for summer

Catherine Carton, Rachel and Libby’s sister in Cavan, is hoping somebody might like to take her 7 year-old chestnut Arab mare, Ais, on loan for the summer or possibly longer. She’d make an ideal mount for an Advanced Primary rider (probably Intermediate also) and would be very suitable for many pony clubbers. She’ll happily do show jumping, cross country, flatwork and pretty much anything else. Her only flaw is a fear of lorries. Easy to clip, shoe, etc. She’s about 14.3 or 15 hh. Catherine is happy to deliver her. If you’re interested, contact Libby (086 830 1392) or Rachel (086 161 7087).

Pictured below: Catherine on Ais at Flowerhill, 2009

Calendar highlights, May–September

Our club meeting on Monday this week covered plenty of topics and a full update will go out in the post shortly. Activities were agreed up until the end of September and the complete schedule is posted in the Calendar. Definitely pencil these highlights into your diaries:

23 May | Spring Friendly, Dressage & Show Jumping, Lenamore
29/30 May | Camping weekend in Carrickfinn
27 June | Inter-club Team Treasure Hunt, Rathmullan & District
25 July | Crossjump & Dressage, Lenamore
18/19 September | Weekend away (either Millers Hill or Drumcoura, Leitrim)

Clear round jumping, Friday 30 April

This Friday we’re going to do some clear round jumping at Cyril’s, a change from our original calendar. Orla will build the course and we’ll begin punctually at 7 pm with crosspoles and work our way up. Everybody welcome.

Directions to Cyril’s · Download

Rachel’s ride-out will take place a week later than planned on Friday 7 May. Full details shortly.

Pictured below: Maura, Audrey and Sharon enjoying clear round jumping at Cyril’s, Summer 2009.

Two new club recruits

We’re very happy to welcome our third mother-and-daughter duo to the club. Phyllis McRory and Regina Bonner join us from Drumkeen, Ballybofey. Many of you will know (or know of) Regina – on top of training racehorses, she’s a trained equine dentist. We look forward to seeing both of you out with us soon.

Successful reconnaissance mission to Benbulben Show

Five of our team show jumpers made the trip to Kerins’s Equestrian Centre near Sligo to test-drive the venue in advance of next Sunday’s regional qualifier. If clear rounds are what it takes to qualify, things aren’t looking too bad. All five travellers jumped clear rounds, although Libby and Spitfire chose to do their’s in the clear round jumping instead of the Intermediate class where it really mattered. Tanya and Francis made it through to the Intermediate jump-off. Nadine and Damien reached the final in the Advanced Intermediate. Tanya was the only one to come out of the jump-offs with a rosette (4th) but the overall performance was more than satisfactory.

Dressage success

Orla travelled as well with her Molly and rode two promising dressage tests at Advanced Primary level. Tanya had a great win in the Intermediate dressage on Al while Nadine, competing for the first time at Advanced Intermediate level, took second in her class.

Next Sunday’s programme

Next week’s qualifier kicks off with a course inspection at 11 o’clock, the Parade of Teams at 12 noon, and the competition proper begins at 12.30. Individual classes run parallel in Ring 2.

Keeping abreast of veterinary news

Most of us reach for our veterinary encyclopaedia when something goes wrong with our horse. This helps to cure the problem but it’s not a great deal of use in preventing the problem occurring. TheHorse.com is an American online resource which publishes articles on all aspects of horse health and management. Some of the features are specific to the American scene but the majority are relevant to every horse owner. Their fact sheets are excellent and their library of webinars is a great resource.

TheHorse.com

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