As AGM approaches, it’s time to think about our Club Horse and Rider of the Year

Friday 7 November isn’t far off and our AGM is likely to be the usual productive and sociable affair. Beyond the gripping election of officers for the coming 12 months, the undisputed highlight of the event is the crowning of our Club Horse and Club Member of the Year.

Please send your nominations for the awards to Damien by text, email or phone call. You can nominate two candidates in each category. It’s great if you can give a few reasons for your choice but a name is also just fine if time is short. The important thing is to participate in the nomination process.

Another enjoyable day at Templemore for Show 2 of NWL

Despite losing a number of the usual suspects to the first hunt of the season, the Noorthwest League’s second show wasn’t short of competitors or quality performances. It was a good day for Letterkenny with the Hamilton/McClafferty contingent producing wins for the club at Advanced Primary and Advanced Intermediate level.

2014 Autumn NWL | Points Show 2
2014 Autumn NWL | Results Show 2

There’s a break now before the league continues on Sunday 9 November. The competition will be hotting up at that stage and a great day’s enjoyment is guaranteed.

Views sought on relocating Riding Clubs Festival

The Executive Committee  of the AIRC is currently reviewing the Riding Clubs Festival (RCF) and as part of the review they are investigating the possibility of changing venue to Mullingar Equestrian Centre, Co. Westmeath.

There are a number of key reasons for this:

  • Reduced stable costs of €70 in Mullingar Equestrian Centre. Stables currently cost the Association €108.25 each and are subsidised to €90 for competitors at Stradbally Hall Estate in 2014.
  • Potential savings of approximately €5,500 on costs by moving to Mullingar Equestrian Centre. The RCF lost approximately €9,500 in Stradbally Hall Estate in 2014
  • There will also be a significant reduction in the manpower hours required by volunteers of the Association in preparing the venue in Mullingar Equestrian Centre compared to Stradbally Hall Estate.
  • The same facilities will be available at Mullingar Equestrian Centre, including camping onsite and much of their permanent facilities.

Clubs are asked to consult with their members and to indicate their preference by 3pm on Tuesday 28 October 2014.

Nice little gathering expected at John & Sharons

John and Sharon are famous hosts and not surprisingly a nice little group has signed up for their saddle-fitting armchair evening tonight, Friday 24 October. Their equestrian business has blossomed over the past couple of years and a visit to their premises is always a treat. Tack shop, rug wash, saddlery workshop and more, generously seasoned with friendly dogs, puppies, cats and kittens, hens and more. And the family themselves. There’s a great evening in store.

A Friday night drenching and the NWL bookend a varied weekend

There are evenings where it just sounds worse outside than it really is and others where reality greatly exceeds expectations. Friday was one of the latter and there were four drenched riders, four saturated horses and four soggy sets of tack by the time Tracy’s jumping lesson at Cyril’s was brought to an abrupt halt when the arena lights went out. Notwithstanding all the moisture, it was a very good lesson and undoubtedly set Paddy, Cliff and Tanya up nicely for the first leg of the Northwest Autumn League on Sunday.

There was an air of comfortable and sociable familiarity at Templemore as members from the four clubs caught up with each other after the quiet season. The competition was good and the points were widely spread. Marina was out with her lovely big grey horse while Enda took control on Jenny. Cliff Hayley made his competitive debut for the club on Shadow, cheerfully undeterred after their Friday night soaking. Paddy was out on his youngster and Rachel was back on the riding club scene with Merlin after an absence of nine months. And Louise, having cajoled and caressed her jeep for weeks, was out on her very own Tutu.

Thanks to Liz Potter for sending through the results and points so quickly. The second leg of the league takes place next Sunday, again at Templemore.

2014 Autumn NWL | Results Show 1
2014 Autumn NWL | Points Show 1

Pictured below: Familiar scenes at Templemore.

2014-10-19 14.53.30 2014-10-19 14.58.54 2014-10-19 14.58.17

Back to Milford to fine tune our jumping

Our two week sojourn in Ballybofey made clear that we have a very attractive new venue for riding club activities. The spacious indoor arena now has an excellent, safe surface and both horses and riders were very happy in the environment. Kelda managed to combine gridwork and a small course in last week’s lesson, doubtless keeping herself fit in the process!

This week’s lesson has morphed from a flatwork exercise to some further jumping action. Paddy has arranged for Tracy Gallagher to teach us on Friday evening. After the success of her lessons earlier this year, we can expect her to encourage further improvement from us before Sunday’s first leg of the Northwest Autumn League.

Book with Paddy on 086 854 3067 by Wednesday at latest.

Raising the bar: Jumping lessons with Kelda

The past two Friday evenings were spent doing polework exercises with Patricia Warren. Al, Fenway, Lady, Bonzo and Paddy’s youngster benefitted greatly from their co-ordination and muscle-building endeavours while their riders learned about rhythm and picked up a few new tricks like the rising canter.

This Friday the schoolwork takes place at Gallagher’s arena in Ballybofey, now with a greatly improved riding surface and upgraded facilities. Kelda will tutor the group as the poles are raised to jump height.

Book with Anne as soon as possible on 087 610 6796, if you plan to go along.

Open Day this Saturday at new XC and show jumping facilities, Drumkeen

Regina Bonner has invited all of us to try out her new cross country and show jumping courses this Saturday, 27 September. To launch it to the public Regina’s Deelside Stables are holding a go-as you-please. The course is open from 11am to 5pm and there will be a show jumping course as well as the cross country course. And the best news of all is IT’S FREE.

If you need any further info or directions, call Regina on 087 991 0134.

Northwest Autumn League schedule

There are just three weeks to go until the first leg of our Autumn Northwest League, this year with four legs of competition. The first phase takes place on Sunday 19 October and the venue, as always, is Templemore. The format each days is familiar with training rounds interspersed with competitive classes.

Remember that the league provides an ideal opportunity for beginners and novices to test the competitive waters in a hugely supportive and encouraging environment. Some of our current high flyers started their illustrious careers at the Northwest League!

NW Autumn League 2014