Millers Hill disappointment for the second consecutive year

It just isn’t meant to be… For the second year in a row our weekend away at Millers Hill has been cancelled because of wet ground. What a shame.

Nadine and Damien have stepped in to save the social side of things and have invited the Millers Hill contingent to their place for a get-together on Saturday night. On the riding side of things, there’s a spring tide and plenty of sand this weekend so a ride on the beach at Rathmullan on Sunday should provide some consolation on the mounted side of life.

Great luck for the Treasure Hunt, now fingers crossed for Millers Hill

Friday evening’s treasure hunt over new territory in the hinterland of Ramelton was a resounding success. 14 riders hunted Francis’s cryptic clues and Marina, Rachel and Enda were the victors as the teams arrived back to base in the dusk.

Nadine and Damien provided wonderful hospitality with fresh scones and blackberry jelly to match the beautiful autumnal evening.

Let’s hope we have the same luck with this weekend’s trip to Millers Hill. The McCrums have already placed a small question mark over the expedition for exactly the same reason as last year: if their land is so wet that their stock is stabled, they have no room for our horses. However, last week was fine and this week, from Tuesday onwards, looks reasonably hopeful. Fingers crossed!

Change of plans for Friday evening activity

Given the cost of using Harley’s arena and the fact that Valerie has to travel an hour to teach us, the numbers really have to stack up to make our formation riding classes economically viable. This time it hasn’t worked out and Vera has wisely changed course for Friday evening activities.

She’s heading for the XL-size sand arena of Rathmullan’s beach where riding will be free form rather than in formation. A slightly different experience but guaranteed to be great fun!

Further TREC training day in Milford, Sunday 9 September

Donegal TREC moves from Bundoran further north on Sunday 9 September with POR (orienteering) and PTV (obstacle) training taking place in Milford.  The training is suitable for all levels of riders and perfect introduction for those who have not tried TREC before as well as catering for riders with experience of TREC.

If you’re interested in participating, contact Orla on 087 643 2458.

Millers Hill just around the corner

Our weekend away in Millers Hill is just over three weeks away and we have a great crowd of 19 members who hope to travel. It’s time now to start getting serious about the plans. The McCrums have confirmed that they are leaving the prices of facilities, meals, livery, carriage driving, cross country course and cob hire at the same  level as previous years so the formula for costs is a familiar one.

We arrive in time for lunch on Saturday and will enjoy a big indoor BBQ in the evening after an afternoon of riding and carriage driving. Breakfast will be a leisurely affair on Sunday morning and then there’ll be plenty of time for riding (and probably more carriage driving) on Sunday before a late lunch and the journey home.

There is no limit to the number of people who can go to Millers Hill — the only limit is to the number of liveries that can be accommodated. So, you’re very welcome to go along as a non-rider, just for a night away with the club. Depending on how long you’re there for (i.e. how many meals you eat and whether you camp at Millers Hill), the cost will be between €30 and €50.

At this stage people need to confirm their booking by paying in full for the expedition. Costs are €80 for a rider, €20 per livery, €20 per cob hire per day. Don’t worry: if something arises that prevents you going for the weekend, you’ll get the full amount back! So, could everybody please make sure to get payment to Libby by Thursday 30 August. You can send a cheque to reach her at Rathmullan, County Donegal, or hand it over in person at Harley’s on Friday.

Formation riding lessons with Valerie Craig

It’s time once more for our infamous formation riding lessons with Valerie Craig. They’ll run for the next two Fridays at Harley’s arena in Trentagh. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it’s the very best way to ride great flatwork without even realising you’re doing it. You’ll be too busy concentrating on holding up your side of the formation (and holding your sides from laughter when things go haywire) to even think about keeping your heels down, riding from the leg to the hand, and looking up. It will all be happening in spite of you!

The session will probably start at 7 pm, subject to numbers. Book with Vera on 087 232 5632, if you plan to participate.

TREC day in Bundoran, Saturday 8 September

Donegal TREC are hosting an introduction to TREC day in Bundoran on Saturday 8 September. The day is suitable for all levels of riders. It will be a perfect introduction for those who have not tried TREC before as well as catering for riders with experience of TREC.

Young riders interested in applying to join the list of potential candidates for the Irish team to compete in the European Young Riders Cup (2013) will have the opportunity to take part in a question and answer session following the training.

Entry fee TREC Ireland members €20, non-members €25, and on foot participants €5. Entries close 5 September.
Venue Stracomer Stables, Bundoran, Co. Donegal
Please send entries and any queries to event secretary:
Orla O’Reilly, 1 Pound Street, Ramelton, Co. Donegal; 087 643 2458.

Good luck, Gaeltachts!

The very best of luck to our friends and neighbours in the Donegal Gaeltacht who make their second assault on the Team Show Jumping Championship this Sunday at the Dublin Horse Show. They’ll be cheered on by a large contingent of Letterkenny members who have embedded themselves firmly at the RDS for the remainder of the show.

In case any of you are in any doubt as to the composition of the team, refer to the useful pictorial guide on the Gaeltacht’s  website.