It’s a couple of years now since we enjoyed military drill with Valerie. Sounds intimidating? Not one bit! There are few activities that are so enjoyable yet lead to such an improvement in our riding and our horse’s way of going than formation riding. Come along and find out what it’s all about.
The evening will take place at Harley’s arena in Trentagh and you should contact Francis on 086 372 2542,
Despite numerous other sporting distractions, the Autumn league got off to a great start yesterday with an excellent turnout and good performances. There’s definitely evidence of rust around the edges in a lot of departments but that’s understandable after the summer season!
Well done to everybody who turned out to compete and to help. The day went smoothly with many hands making lights work. Congratulations to Louise and Anne on their good wins at Primary and Advanced Intermediate respectively. Well done to Cliff on his 80cm debut! And it was nice to see one of our new members, Miriam Sweeney, out enjoying herself in the Primary division.
Thanks as always to Liz for the excellent points and results service. Here’s how things stand after the first of four legs:
Autumn League 2015 – Points table
Autumn League 2015 – week 1
Hot on the heels of last Monday’s inter-club meeting, our own club meeting takes place this Friday, 2 October, at Tir na nOg. All welcome!
As always, the clubs take it in turn to run the legs of the Northwest League. This time Letterkenny is in charge of the first leg this coming weekend so we need to be tuned in to things early. Dates for this year’s edition of the much-loved league are as follows:
Sundays 4 and 18 October
Sundays 1 and 8 November (final)
Prizes will be awarded at our annual inter-club dinner dance which takes place this year on Saturday 28 November.
What happens in Bundoran stays in Bundoran… or so we thought. The tales of Paddy’s missing trousers, Hazel’s Brown Eamon, Marina’s thoroughbred cob and Damien’s late night sleepwalk have already travelled north of the gap. So there is no need for Omerta. Louise captured all the memorable moments – or so we thought – on her mobile but we didn’t realise the mobile was as old as Louise and the photographs were all deleted the moment she made a call.
A posse of ten made the trip; Louise, Hazel, Paddy, Francis, Keary and Ann (still not married) Marina, Enda, Pauric and Damien. Libby and Dympna then joined in for the sleepover. As promised there was no white knuckle ride this year through the dunes. Damien steered a safe and easy path in the late evening sunshine though we did have some drama when we headed for the tide, with one of the crew getting an early bath.
Horses tucked up for the night it was time to dine in our regular haunt – the Bridge Restaurant. Four hours and half a stone later we retired to our beach front villa for some late night Coors and chat. Paddy, wearing Enda’s trousers (don’t ask), made a late appearance after his traditional walk-about. Damien also went walk-about in the middle of the night declaring his room mates, Francis and Paddy, both needed wind operations.
There was no Leo for the Breakfast menu but we found another master chef in Francis, who fed the masses along with his sidekick Pauric. While the ladies looked on Damien pulled on the marigolds and took charge of the dishes (knowing that any breakages would come out of his deposit). Another trip around the dunes and into the sea – no fallers this time – and it was time to depart just before the heavens opened.
A big thanks to Steph at Stracomer Stables for looking after us all and to Damien for organising the trip. Maybe next year Hazel will bring Brown Eamon — he might like the sea?
Pictured below: Breakfast time at our seafront villa — just like The Waltons.
While the rest of the country battled torrential rain, for once this summer Donegal got off lightly. Conditions at Lenamore for the third and final leg of our 2-phase league were positively balmy in comparison to the weather at Killybegs last time.
Thanks to everybody who came out to compete and to help on the day. it’s been a great inter-club effort and a lot of fun. Congratulations to the winners. Thanks as always to Liz for her trojan work on the results.
Dressage- 3rd Leg
Cross Country – 3rd Leg
Dressage Points Table- FINAL PLACINGS
Cross Country Points Table- FINAL PLACINGS
Combined Results- FINAL
Thanks to all the secretaries and particularly Liz Potter for putting together the entries and start times for Sunday’s event at Lenamore. Liz has pointed out how important it is to manage your time wisely to make sure that you’re properly prepared for both dressage and cross country:
The first 3 dressage riders (ADV INT) have approx. 25 mins after their dressage test to get ready for their XC round, riders after this all have between 35 to 50 mins to get from dressage arena to start box of the XC phase. It’s important that riders arrive in good time to walk the XC course before they ride their dressage test as there will be no time in between.
Marina is our Director of Operations so point all questions about the volunteer rota and other tasks towards her. All hands to the pump! It should be a great day and the best of luck to all competitors. Go Letterkenny!
Dressage Points Table- 2nd Leg
Cross Country Points Table- 2nd Leg
Entries Sheet-Lenamore Final
XC Start times – Lenamore Final
Dressage Times- Lenamore Final
From the beach in Bundoran to the bowling mat in Ramelton, it’s time to clear your diary and circle some dates on your calendar. The next few months are going to be hectic. First up the final of the hugely successful Cross Country and Dressage League. After two impressive days in Carrigart and Killybegs the pressure now falls on Letterkenny and Inishowen to maintain the standard at Lenamore.
The competition is set for Sunday 13 and this weekend members are being urged to show up to help build the course. The gathering is set for 11am on Sunday 6 along with our colleagues from Inishowen. A further date has been pencilled in for Friday the 11 for some last minute adjustments. Marina is co-ordinating so any questions fire them her way 086 821 6335.
The following weekend (19/20 September) we are off on our annual pilgrimage to Bundoran – one of the highlights of the year. Damien is looking after the sleeping arrangements and stabling. He promises no white knuckle rides this time round.
Hillsborough Farm will be the destination on September 27 for a ride out with Louise – the year wouldn’t be the same without some Edwards hospitality.
And then in November, in between the Autumn League dates, we can look forward to another evening of bowls with Tanya and Cecil in Ramelton. Hot competition and a tasty super always guarantees a healthy turn out. Date to be confirmed.
What a treat! Sunday was a rare summer’s day with air warm enough to entice the perfume from the fields of clover overlooking Gordon’s Bay at Liz and Ryan’s beautiful homeplace near Carrigart. The cross country course was immaculate, the springy turf of the dressage arena was perfect, and the event was prepared and organised to the highest international standard.
Thanks to Liz, Ryan and all the Donegal Gaeltachts for a truly wonderful day out. Congratulations to all our members who took part but particularly to Vera, Stephanie and Tanya for taking all before them in the three dressage grades in which Letterkenny was represented.
Results and league placings kindly provided in the usual punctual fashion by Liz. More photos in the Gallery.
Cross Country Points Table- 1st Leg
Cross Country- 1st Leg
Dressage Points Table- 1st Leg
Dressage-1st Leg
Pictured below: Riding club summer in Donegal.
Here’s the bones of what’s planned for the next few months. The calendar page will be updated shortly to include all of this.
Sun 5th July – xc league Liz & Ryan
Fri 10th July – flatwork – Tanya
Fri 17th July – xc Marina
Sun 19th July – 2 phase Cloncaw
Fri 24th July – flatwork Tanya
Sun 26th July – beach show Falcarragh
Fri 31st July – ride out Louise
Sun 2nd Aug – regional training day Dirraw
August 5th – 9th RDS
Fri 14th Aug – xc Gabriel’s
Sun 16th Aug – dressage championship Mullingar
Fri 21st Aug – ride out Leo
Sun 23rd Aug – xc league Killybegs
Fri 28th Aug – formation riding Valerie
Fri 4th Sept – xc Lenamore – Cormac
Sun 13th Sept – xc league Lenamore
Sat 19 & Sun 20 – Bundoran – Damien
Letterkenny Riding Club