Even the cuckoo turns up for Friday night jumping

Marking the club’s first foray into new territory in Termon, we had six riders and four spectators for Friday night’s lesson with Tracey Gallagher. A chest infection got the better of Hazel causing her to pull out at the last minute. Hannah and Nadine were in the first lesson. Damien, Francis, Maria and Hillary in the second. Jenny, Emily, John Kelly and John McGlinchey were on the subs bench.

It faired just in time for the first ride and turned into a perfect evening for a jumping lesson. Tracey used a combination of ground poles and a grid to improve canter rhythm and improve “an eye for a stride”.

The cuckoo even made an appearance to give us a song to close the show…

Pictured below: Hannah and Nadine working hard with Tracey Gallagher in an unmistakeable Donegal landscape. More photos in the Gallery.

may 2013 013

Derby & Dressage Show Schedule

Less than two weeks now to go until our club’s annual flagship event, our Derby & Dressage Show. This year it takes place earlier in the calendar than previously on Sunday 12 May.

LRC Derby & Dressage Show 2013

With new kids on the block, Inishowen, setting their sights on more silverware in the jumping arena, it’s going to be hot competition for the prized perpetual cups. Our horses are all relatively fit after the action of the Northwest League and Challenge so we should be in a position to defend our cups on our home turf!

We have a great dressage judge in Petra Kucklick and everybody should make the most of the opportunity to get her comments and feedback on their riding. Remember that everybody can ride a dressage test — it’s nothing more than what you do during a flatwork lesson or schooling session, except that the movements have to be ridden in a set sequence. If you’ve never ridden a test before but would like to give it a try, chat to somebody like Vera who has started at the very beginning and is now a pretty seasoned competitor.

Everybody’s help will be needed to make the event run smoothly. Most of all, however, we need every possible member to come out and compete on the day.

Pictured below: Damien rides his winning Intermediate test on Trial & Error at our 2012 Derby & Dressage show while Francis and Zak take on a rustic fence at Intermediate level in 2011.

IMG_6746Derby 2011

Benbulben Riding Club Spring Show & Masters Qualifier, Sunday 5 May

Anybody who wants a dry run for the RDS qualifier at the end of May has a great opportunity this Sunday at Benbulben’s show jumping and dressage show. The event, which doubles as our area’s Masters Series Qualifier, takes place at Kerin’s equestrian centre in Tubberbride, Collooney. There’s always a great attendance and a cracking atmosphere on the day.

Benbulben Spring Show & Masters Qualifier | Schedule

Trec in Rathmullan, Sunday 5 May

Orla has been in touch to say that the closing date for Sunday’s TREC competition in Rathmullan has been extended to Wednesday 1 May. The day will include individual and pairs TREC competitions. Each class will comprise three phases; control of paces ridden in canter and walk over a distance of 150 metres, PTV obstacle course comprising  16 obstacles over a distance of 1–3km and a POR (orienteering) phase ranging in distance from 12km at level 1, 17km at level 2 and 24km at level 3. 

Riders aged 12 and over may take part (under 16s wishing to take part in the orienteering phase must pair with a rider aged 16 or over).

Classes
1. Level 1 pairs (POR up to 12km)
2. Level 2 pairs (POR up to 17km)
3. Level 2 individual (POR up to 17km)
4. Level 3 pairs (POR up to 25km)
5. Level 3 individual (POR 25km)

Entry fee members: Full competition €30, non-members €35
POR (orienteering) only €17, non-members €23
PTV & CoP €17, non-members €23

The presentation of prizes on Sunday evening will be followed by a social evening, tickets for which must be booked in advance through event secretary. Contact donegaltrec@gmail.com or 087 643 2458 to receive an entry pack. 

Jumping lesson with Tracy Gallagher, Friday 3 May

There’s no time to rest on our show jumping laurels after our great day at the Northwest Challenge. There are lots more competitions coming up so make the most of the opportunity to train with show jumper, Tracy Gallagher, this Friday. The lesson will take place at her arena in Termon.

Damien and Nadine are a good advertisement for Tracy’s coaching skills. Her yard is within shouting distance of most of our membership and it will be a great advantage to have another option for training and lessons on a regular basis.

If you plan to go along, book with Damien on 087 763 1911 by Wednesday at latest.

Challenge Cups for Inishowen and Letterkenny on a great club day

No time just now to report in full on yesterday’s Northwest Team Challenge — that will come when the dust settles and normal life catches up. It was a wonderful day’s competition and our club did itself proud. Newcomers Inishowen pipped our two teams in a thrilling 3-way jump-off for the show jumping cup but our ace team had a fantastic win in the Dressage Challenge.

Full report and some photos to follow. If any of you have photos from the day, send them on to libby@cartonlevert.ie. In the meantime, enjoy David Carr’s gallery on the Inishowen website.

Pictured below: Two victorious teams. Very well done!

Inishowen Letterkenny Piaffes

Teams and times for Northwest Challenge *updated with starting order for jumping*

Entries are in and we have a whopping 14 jumping and 10 dressage teams to guarantee a cracking day of competition on Sunday.

There’ll be more information on the day coming down the pike but here for starters are the teams and dressage times.

NW SJ Challenge 2013_Teams
NW Dressage Challenge 2013_Times
NW Dressage Challenge 2013_Teams
NW SJ Challenge_Starting Order