The greenfield site of tomorrow’s Derby & Dressage Show took shape last night against the stunning backdrop of Aughnish Island and Lough Swilly. Sunday promises good weather and great competition. We look forward to seeing everybody on the day.
Pictured below: How many men does it take to build a jump? (Our banner photo shows the field with its wonderful view.)
Can everybody please scan their gardens (and their neighbour’s, parents and children’s gardens) for potential fillers for our jumps on Sunday. Potted shrubs and trees are great, as are decent sized pieces of brush and greenery that can be wedged into wings and under jumps. Use your imagination!
Open and Advanced Open riders will now ride AIRC 51 for their dressage test on Sunday, and not AIRC 40 as originally posted. We will also combine this class with the AI class, with each competitor riding their respective grade’s test.
Marina has summed up all the tasks that need to be done and the people responsible for them in the attached schedule. Make sure you know what you’re doing and fit it in around your competition plans.
Ryan and Liz of the Gaeltachts are organising a great ride-out in mid-July and everybody is welcome to participate in what will be a very sociable day. Details beow and you can also read more on the Gaeltacht’s website.
And the countdown begins… This year’s big event will follow a similar pattern to usual but note that the Derby classes run in the reverse order to standard, beginning with the Open riders and working down the grades to Primary. This will ensure good ground when the obstacles are really big and intimidating.
Dressage times will not be issued but a large white board on which you can add your name will be displayed in an effort to bring some order and efficiency to the dressage area.
We’re in a new field at Hillsborough Farm this year and the ground is in beautiful condition at present with an impressively thick sole of grass. Fingers crossed now for moderate weather between now and the big day.
Your best bet for a review of Sunday’s beach show is the Gaeltacht’s website but before you go reading the report, a huge congratulations to our dressage team of Nadine, Vera, Hazel and Louise who have qualified for the dressage championships in August. Equally well done to Hazel for her victory in the Advanced Primary show jumping class — quite a start to her AP career. Finally, another well deserved pat on the back for seasoned campaigner and serial victor Nadine in the Advanced Intermediate dressage class.
Anybody who was heading for Conway’s in Ramelton tonight should make the most of a free evening instead. The meeting has been rescheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, and takes place at Tir na nOg in Letterkenny.
Do your best to make it — this show is a massive undertaking and everybody’s input is appreciated.
Despite a cracking effort from Leo, Anne, Cormac and Damien, a few rolled poles and unlucky time faults kept us out of the running at today’s team qualifier at Tubberbride. Fielding their usual horde of teams, Benbulben were the only club with a team to finish on a zero score. Tynagh took the wildcard spot and head to Stradbally for a second crack at qualification.
Congratulations to Rosann who took the best turned out award on the day. Great to see the club out competing at a regional event. Let’s hope we see lots more of them over the summer.
Thanks to our four gallant riders and their loyal troop of foot soldiers for representing Letterkenny with such enthusiasm and commitment at this most competitive of events. We’re very proud of you.
The big day is approaching fast and the running order for teams at the RDS qualifier has now been published — and Letterkenny is first into the lions’ den! No better man for that job than Leo on the aptly named Cool! Best of luck everybody.
TSJC Regional Qualifier Programme | 2014
Pictured below: Leo on Cool delivering one of their two fine clear rounds at last year’s qualifier in Tubberbride.
Letterkenny Riding Club