Pulses start to race in anticipation of team show jumping qualifier

The countdown to Sunday’s team show jumping qualifier in Sligo is on. 24 teams will line out on the day for this most hotly contested of all competitions. We’ll be represented by two fine teams, as follows:

Damien on Trial and Error
Nadine on Molly
Anne on (Kiltown Miss) Molly
Leo on Cool

Cormac on Charlotte
Francis on Zak
Tanya on Al
Keary on Arthur

It will be a memorable day’s competition with a berth at the final in the RDS as the holy grail. Our neighbours will be there in force with three Donegal Gaeltacht teams, two from Inishowen and one from Tirconaill vying for their chance to compete at the Dublin Horse Show. With Benbulben fielding six teams, they’re bound to become the punching bag for every other club in the region.

The more supporters we can send to cheer on the team, the better. There’s always a need for foot soldiers who can hold a horse for a crucial 10-minutes while our riders walk the course, or who can manhandle the jumps in the warm-up arena to make sure that the preparation goes as smoothly as possible.

It’s a great day out and a great people- and horse-watching spectacle. Plan on being there! Here’s the full run-down for the day:
TSJC Regional Qualifier Programme 2013

Congratulations Gaeltachts

While several of our regular dressage riders were letting their hair down at Carrickfinn this weekend, the diligent Gaeltachts travelled to Ballinasloe for the regional team dressage qualifier. They hit the jackpot and returned with a great haul of rosettes.

One of their two teams qualified by finishing in second place while the second team just missed out in finishing fourth. Rudy and Rachael qualified in the individual section. And to top off the dressage achievements, Patricia finished first and second in the Open individual class followed by Laura in third. These dressage achievements were matched by show jumping success for Lawrence, Rudi, Patricia and Laura.

Well done everybody. We know you’ll do Donegal proud at the National Championships in August.

Camping anybody?

With hailstones pelting the windows this morning and temperatures around the levels we expect in early March, it might seem ridiculous to even contemplate camping at Carrickfinn this weekend. But if we all pretend not to notice the reasonably positive weather forecast and assume that conditions will be diabolical, maybe we’ll enjoy a little bit of luck.

Damien can accommodate a maximum of 12 horses in his warren of pens in the sandunes. If you’re planning on travelling with your horse and haven’t yet been in touch with Damien, do so without further delay. You may be lucky and still get a spot but don’t get your hopes up.

There’s no limit to the number of 2-legged campers who can be accommodated in this spectacular spot in west Donegal. All you need are your living quarters, food for the barbeque and plenty of stamina!

Pictured below: Carrickfinn, 2012. See more of the experience in the Gallery.

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*Updated with photos* Chestnut filly foal brings light back into Orla’s life

After last weekend’s blow, yesterday gave Orla one of the great thrills of a horse owner’s life. Her old friend Molly gave birth to a healthy chestnut filly foal who opens a new chapter in her owner’s life with horses. This young lady is by Lancelot, a fine jumping stallion standing with the Kennedys in Limerick.

Congratulations Orla and Molly.

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Derby & Dressage Show is postponed as rain claims first scalp of 2013

Although May has been the driest month of the year for the past little while, this 2013 edition is frustratingly bucking the trend. After last night’s torrential rain and the further rain forecast for the next couple of days, our show coordinators have made a wise decision to postpone the event. Everybody will just have to have a little patience until we get a new date organised — it will be worth the wait!

Beach Show 2013 Schedule – the countdown begins

On a day when the prospects for our own Derby & Dressage Show this Sunday look decidedly gloomy, it’s nice to have the schedule of the Gaeltacht’s Beach Show on Sunday 2 June to brighten things up. It’s a familiar looking line up of classes so we’re guaranteed an absolutely brilliant day of competition and fun.

Beach Show 2013 Schedule

This is one of the highlights of the riding club year. Everybody who has been to the event in the past knows that it’s not to be missed and every new member should mark it firmly in their diaries in indelible ink. The show takes place in the unique setting of Ballyness Bay in Falcarragh with acres and acres of beach for warming up and a whole extra strand just at the back of the imposing sandunes, just in case your horse needs a break from competitive action.

Although there will be no showing at the Beach Show this year, there’s a first-rate schedule of show jumping and dressage classes. Enjoy looking forward to the big day!

Pictured below: Beach Show memories from 2013. See the Gallery for more.

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Some warmth, some rain, and a little bit of sunshine just in time for Sunday…

Many weather addicts have given up looking at medium- and long-range forecasts over the past months – why depress yourself in advance unnecessarily! As we approach our big weekend, it makes sense to have a look at what the experts are saying. Since we’re jumping on grass, conditions in the run up to the event are almost more important than the conditions on the day itself.

Well… it could be a lot worse:
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It’s going to be very breezy for the next few days and with luck that wind will offset some of the rain that’s due to fall. We may get a bit damp building the course on Friday evening but we should get away without rain gear at the show itself. Keep an eye on how things progress as the week goes on:

AccuWeather | Letterkenny
British Met Office | Derry

A note of sympathy to Orla

Orla, our thoughts are with you. Some of our members know what you’re going through but most of us have lived on the lucky side of horse ownership. Losing Ted so unexpectedly must be unbearable. Not only have you lost your mount — you’ve also lost a new friend along with all the hopes and dreams and aspirations that you had for your partnership with him.

With Molly due to foal shortly, hopefully you’ll soon have a new reason to look to the future again with delight.