It’s time for one of our summer evening highlights — a trip to Marina and Enda’s homeplace for some cross country riding and some Hamilton hospitality. Not to be missed!
Please let Marina know in advance, if you plan to attend, so that she can plan her catering. You’d hate to be the only one at the table without a plate!
Things finally came together for the Derby & Dressage Show this year with the weather really playing along for the first time. We had a wonderful day.
Congratulations to all the winners and everybody who participated. Particular congratulations to Damien and Louise who each pulled off the elusive Derby & Dressage double with red rosettes in both disciplines. You’re great candidates for 1-day eventing!
Thank you to everybody who did anything to make the day happen. From the visiting personnel side of things, thanks to Seamus, Rachel and Petra for judging and course building. Thanks to everybody in the club who put their hands to the pump but a particular mention for Marina (and Enda) who coordinated the event, and to Damien and Francis who undertook the real donkey work of collecting and returning fences. Thanks to the Gaeltachts for so generously allowing us to use their jumps for the day and for delivering them and taking them home to boot. And finally thanks above all to the Edwards family without whose generosity this event could never take place.
Photos and results to follow.
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.
Letterkenny Riding Club