Letterkenny Riding Club

Bundoran 2013

Despite the weather our club’s annual trip away was a very enjoyable weekend filled with adventurous routes through unknown territory though the sand dunes, beach rides, cross country, good food and great craic.

This year’s choice of venue at Stracomer Stables ensured we were not going to be beaten by the weather. As the weekend approached numbers were dwindling but we still had a keen group of eight riders: Damien, Nadine, Marina, Enda, Leo, Paddy, Francis, Maura and three spectators, Mick Carroll, Audrey and Tanya. Keary and Ann managed to join us for the Sunday.

On arrival at Stracomer Stables we were given a warm welcome with plenty of hot tea and biscuits while Jodie, Stracomer’s youngest assistant, made sure all the horses were settled and happy in their 5 star accommodation. When all the troops FINALLY arrived (Francis & Maura!!), we set off on a windy expedition on Tullaghan strand. Surf boards, steep ascents and descents kept all horses and riders on their toes. On our return Leo took time to enjoy the spectacular views of Bundoran’s finest peaks from the car park!!! When all horses were tucked up in their stables, riders headed back to their accommodation to make themselves presentable for what turned out to be a very enjoyable evening in Maddens Bridge Bar in the town. The evening continued back at the house with side-splitting laughter and a few civilised games of cards!

After a good night’s sleep Leo was on autopilot as himself and Mick cooked up a hearty breakfast for everyone to get us prepared for more sand dunes, beach canters and cross country challenges. After a final cup of tea and more banter, tired horses and riders headed off on the very manageable journey home.

A big thanks to Stracomer Stables for having us and we hope this is only the first of many more trips to come. Role on 2014!!

Pictured below: Well-earned relaxation after a windswept ride on the strand. More photos in the Gallery.

Donegal Trec, Saturday 14 September

Donegal TREC will host a PTV (cross country obstacles) and Control of Paces day at Ballinacross Farm (Nixon’s Corner, Derry) on Saturday 14 September.

Riders will have a 90-minute practice session with the obstacles before riding a PTV competition track. This is a great opportunity to make use of nice canters through the stubble fields while raising funds for a good cause. The proceeds from the day will go to the winter feeding costs at Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary. Entry for the day €20. Please contact Orla for further information or to book in. The group would also love to welcome 3 or 4 volunteers to the team for the day. If you can help out, please get in touch. Contact donegaltrec@gmail.com or phone Orla directly on 087 643 2458.

Lisa heads for Belgium. Good luck! Go Ireland!

At the weekend, Ireland will for the first time, field a team in the TREC European Championships. The competition will be held in Mont le Soie, Vielsalm in Belgium from the 5 to 8 of September 2013.

The team comprises Donegal rider, Lisa Moore (Jo Dazzler), Katie Smyth (Whitethorn Jack) and Rohan Madhavan (Annie’s Prince), both from County Kildare as well as Annie O’Neill (Templebready Poppy) from West Cork. Chef d’Equipe Gwen Bastian and Karen Murphy, Secretary of TREC Ireland, will be on hand for the Championships, as well as a huge contingent of family and friends travelling to Belgium to support the team.

Riders will be arriving in Belgium on Monday 2nd of September with horses arriving on Tuesday 3rd, to allow all to settle in and get familiar with the terrain, and of course, the maps. The competition begins on Friday 6 with the vetting and equipment check, with the Orienteering taking place on Saturday 7, and the Control of Paces and PTV (Obstacles) on Sunday 8.

Updates from Belgium will be posted on the website, http://www.trecireland.com and on the Facebook page.

Donegal Clubs Meeting, Tuesday 3 September

With the North West Autumn League emerging as a focal point for competitive life in the coming season, a meeting of the Donegal Clubs is timely. There’s also the much-antiocipated dinner dance and awards to plan. The meeting will take place on Tuesday 3 September at Tir na nOg. Everybody welcome.

Treasure hunting and jumping our way into autumn

How time flies. September beckons this weekend and the club’s quiet period will end as activity steps up in the autumn. Those who have looked for entertainment and activity during August have found it as club life ticked over at a pleasant summer pace. Select groups of members turned out to hunt treasure with Francis and Maura in the foothills of Knockalla, the competition divided into two divisions — four hooves and four wheels.

There was a little bit of squabbling as the 4-wheelers (Nadine, Emily, Enda and some junior McClaffertys, Jenny and Maura) claimed victory before being shunted firmly into an inferior league. That left the two 4-hooved teams to divide the real honours. Peace reigned as everybody from Damien to Leo put their feet up and enjoyed wonderful refreshments at Francis and Maura’s beautiful home.

A week later Tanya had to punt as Patricia Warren dealt with a colicking pony and couldn’t get to Cyril’s for the planned jumping lesson. Mary Finneran stepped into the breach and gave Christopher, Hannah, Tanya, Nadine, Liz and Eweline a good work-out. Their fat horses enjoyed the lesson and were looking healthy and well after a season on grass.

It was great to see Liz back out on Judy as she comes to terms with the tragic loss of her beautiful young horse, Spirit, earlier in the summer. And Eweline covered herself in glory as she continued to master the foundations of jumping with her new equine partner, Gordon. The pair made great progress and Eweline’s balance and stickability impressed Mary and the onlookers greatly.

Audrey, John, Jenny and Libby looked on from the sidelines until things ended at dusk and the lorries and trailers crawled slowly back up Cyril’s lane as darkness fell. Lessons continue this week. Contact Tanya if you plan to join in.

Pictured below: Members enjoy tuition with Mary Finneran.

Opportunity to train with Patricia Warren

Tanya has masterminded the next series of Friday evening lessons and many members will be delighted to have the opportunity to train again in jumping with Patricia Warren. It’s not a million months until the beginning of the Northwest Autumn League so this could be a great opportunity to start preparing mentally as well as physically. Patricia has a wonderful way of getting to the nub of each and every partnership’s particular difficulties and finding a constructive way to deal with them.

The classes will take place at Cyril’s arena near Milford. Contact Tanya on 086 100 2972 by Wednesday at latest, if you plan to attend.

Treasure Hunt kicks off at 2pm

Our much-anticipated annual Treasure Hunt will kick off at 2pm on Sunday. Treasure hunters should congregate at Francis and Maura’s place on the coast road at Anney, about 5 miles north of Rathmullan. The treasure hunt will be of the shorter variety and Francis expects to have everybody back at base within and hour and a half.

The scenery is spectacular, the company is good, and the clues are compelling. Let Francis know on 086 372 2542, if you plan to join in the hunt.

“Best tenner I’ve spent all year”

That was Paddy’s verdict as he came in off the cross country course at Lenamore on Friday evening last. And there’s no need to ask what Lizzie’s opinion was — she’s one of the greatest cross country enthusiasts in the club.

Hazel discovered that Sapphire is another grey with an appetite for green fields and natural obstacles. The pair cleared everything in sight and loved every minute of it. Leo, Damien and Cormac completed the small but elite party of lucky members who turned out for the evening.

Thanks to Cormac for organising everything. Hopefully we can repeat the experience later in the season.