All’s not lost if you forgot to make your dressage entry for Inishowen’s show

Inishowen Riding Club’s show this Sunday at Lenamore offeres both dressage and show jumping classes. In a change from the original plan, dressage entries will now be taken on the day. However you must ride your test by 3pm at latest.

Do your best to get out and support the show. It kicks off the summer competitive season and we have a nice run of events ahead of us. Following Sunday’s show we have the RDS team qualifier at the end of May, the much-loved Beach Show on Sunday 1 June, and our own flagship Derby & Dressage Show at Hillsborough Farm on Sunday 15 June.

Your website has been suffering, but…

One of the great things about our club is the diversity of civilian lives that our members lead. As life ebbs and flows, so too does everybody’s time for the club. You’ll all have noticed that the website has been suffering from a serious case of neglect over the past good number of weeks — your website editor has been under severe pressure on both sides of her work life. But in case you feel that she’s been frittering her time away on frivolous activities, rest assured that you too can benefit from her non-equestrian endeavours.

You might enjoy the 5 x 5 = €20 this Saturday evening in The Taproom at Rathmullan House, or if that doesn’t take your fancy, consider the fresh-off-the-press Earagail Arts Festival programme and plan some summer cultural activities. Normal website service should resume shortly…

Ride-out with Denis in Killygordon, Friday 9 May

Any of you who joined Denis and Leo for their fundraising ride-out from Crossroads, Killygordon a while ago (see Gallery) will appreciate just what a lovely spot the Finn Valley really is. With surprising ascents and unexpected high terrain, the views in every direction are marvellous. Small country roads and lanes make for peaceful riding.

If you’re interested in Joining Denis for a ride-out this Friday, contact him on 087 925 8996 and let him know. Departure time is 7pm and the meeting point is Denis’s home place.

Inishowen RC Show, Sunday 11 May

Show season! Our team challenge is behind us and now it’s time to fight for individual honours as the 2014 competitive season kicks off with Inishowen’s show at Lenamore on Sunday 11 May. Note that dressage is strictly pre-entry only – entries by Wednesday 7  May.

Inishowen RC Show 2014 | Schedule

Try your best to get out and support the event. There’s show jumping and dressage and the prestige of a Masters Qualifier for the first time in Donegal. The Masters Series is a show jumping series with eight regional qualifiers. Riders may qualify at any of the eight regional qualifiers. It is divided into three divisions with training bursaries worth over €1,000 on offer at the final at Mullingar Equestrian Centre, Co. Westmeath on Sunday 14 September 2014.

Jumping lesson with Tracy Gallagher, Friday 2 May

Staggering to think that our next Friday evening event will be in May. Where does the time go?

This time it’s a trip to Termon for a jumping lesson with Tracy Gallagher at her own arena. Last year’s experience with Tracy was very positive so make the most of this opportunity to train with somebody ploughs her furrow in the professional jumping world. Every instructor finds a different little detail in each of us and it’s always getting somebody else’s view on riding skills and your horse’s way of going.

Book with Damien on 087 763 1911.

Eventing Ireland for Amateurs

The club has recently received information about Amateur Eventing Classes at Eventing Ireland events. The Amateur classes are suitable for riding club members of Intermediate standard and higher. The three classes are:

Amateur EI90 – suitable for Intermediate Riders
Amateur EI100 – suitable for Advanced Intermediate Riders
Amateur 1 Star – suitable for Open and Advanced Open Riders

You do not have to be a member of Eventing Ireland to compete — you can simply purchase a day-ticket. Full information in the Eventing Ireland flyer: Amateur Eventing

Well done Gaeltachts, worthy victors at another wonderful Team Challenge

No time for a full report just now but a very, very big thank you to everybody who contributed to making yesterday’s Northwest Team Dressage & Show Jumping Challenge the fun, sporting, club-spirited event that it’s intended to be. Very well done to the Geltachts on two magnificent victories. Enjoy the cups while you have them, the rest of us will be snapping at your heels within weeks.

Dressage test times for NW Team Challenge

Dressage times for Sunday are now published. Please make sure that you are ready in good time to ride your test punctually. This year the Dressage Challenge takes place indoors in the warm-up arena. It’s a great opportunity to ride your test in excellent conditions without the worry of Eglinton’s usual palette of distractions. Let’s take the timetable seriously and make everything work smoothly for those who have put a lot of effort into the organisation.

NW Team Challenge 2014 | Dressage Times