Letterkenny Riding Club

Plans take shape at lively club meeting

Tuesday evening’s club meeting at Tir na nOg brought plenty of enthusiastic club members together to map out the next few months’ activity. Amongst the familiar faces was one new one, our recent recruit Norah O’Reilly.

The next quarter sees quite a lot of charity activity as the club makes an effort to drum up the €1,500 we committed to raising for the Irish Cancer Society’s “Relay For Life“. Cormac is organising a pub quiz on Tuesday 24 April and Denis and Leo will run a charity ride-out at a later date. Everybody’s engagement with the effort will be very welcome.

Competition highlights in the coming months begin with the National Hunter Trials at Flowerhill on Sunday 15 April. We have a sizeable contingent of 10 members who hope to make the journey to compete. It’s also a wonderful event for foot soldiers, with plenty of riding action to watch on the extensive cross country course and a social scene that will be talked about for months afterwards.

From cross country we switch to show jumping and dressage with our own Spring Show on Sunday 6 May and the Gaeltacht’s famous Beach Show a week later. The month ends with the Team Show Jumping Qualifier which takes place this year on Sunday 27 May at Barnacarroll, near Knock. Anybody of Intermediate grade or above who is interested in being on a team should contact Francis on 086 372 2542. Training sessions will be arranged is preparation for the qualifier.

For a bit of relief from competition, we’ll head to Carrickfinn for a night’s camping and some riding on the beach on Saturday 19 May. Let Damien know in good time if you plan to go along since there won’t be enough room for all the horses in the club. There’s no shortage of camping space for members travelling without horses.

Other non-competitive action includes ride-outs at Kilmacrennan and Ballybofey, as well as a Francis Fun Night in June. Add to all of that our usual quota of lessons, clear round jumping evenings, and miscellaneous other activities and you can imagine that there won’t be too much time to get bored with your horse.

Spectacular ride to the Fortress of the Sun

If we were to have waited another 364 days, we wouldn’t have found a better day this year for our ride-out from Leo’s home in Burt. Grianan of Aileach, whose name has been variously translated as “Stone Palace of the Sun”, “Fortress of the Sun” and “Stone Temple of the Sun”, was the highlight of a stunning route along deserted little roads with magnificent views across Lough Swilly to Muckish, Fanad Head and beyond.

A group of twelve members gathered at Leo and Linda’s house at midday. Even before the final riders had arrived, our club farrier was put to work after Christopher’s boot came off second best in an encounter with Armstrong’s shoe. Although their squabbling footwear got the relationship off to a shaky start, Christopher and Armstrong buried the hatchet and thoroughly enjoyed each others company on the expedition. Damien was on board Millie, back in work after a winter at rest with Molly.

Lizzie was another club horse returning from a winter of leisure and Paddy was delighted to be back in mounted action. At the other end of the scale, after a hard season’s hunting in bottomless ground, Grace couldn’t believe the lady-like pace of the ride-out. She enjoyed Hannah’s cultured company at a genteel speed as Sally and Maura rode together at the back of the pack.

The group made its way at a lively walk along narrow roads bordered by spring hedgerows, climbing steeply at times with the views across Lough Swilly improving with the elevation. The clarity of the light and the colour of the landscape was breathtaking.

The final ascent to Grianan of Aileach would have knocked the stuffing out of the fittest beast but the infectious enthusiasm amongst the horses propelled them effortlessly to the top. What a spot! Ruth and Rachael McCrossan’s parents were there to greet the party and everybody enjoyed a breather while landmarks and features were identified.

There was no sign of fatigue amongst the horses as the descent began. Excitement grew with every stride and everybody did well to keep their mounts energy in check as the group turned for home. Only Fenway lost the run of himself and did his best to sabotage his wafer-thin chances of getting to Flowerhill. Both he and Libby were lucky to escape unscathed as he took one chance too many with the side of the road and ended up straddling the ditch.

Back at base camp, Leo and Linda provided a very welcome bowl of soup and lots of other treats as chat turned to the final of the league and ultimately to Flowerhill. There’s so much to look forward to and, if Sunday’s experience is anything to go by, this year is shaping up to be a good one.

Many, many thanks to Leo and Linda for a wonderful ride and super hospitality.

Pictured below: The farrier at work before departure and, later on the ride, Grianan of Aileach watches as the group approaches. More photos in the Gallery.

Club meeting, Tuesday 20 March, 8pm

Time, as usual, has been hurtling by. We’ve been working our way rapidly through our calendar of events and it’s already time to sit down again together and map out a further three or four months of riding club activity. As well as the regular weekly events, there are features to plan for like Flowerhill, our Spring Show on Sunday 6 May, the Team Show Jumping qualifier, and the Relay for Life.

We’ll meet as usual in Tir na nOg, on Tuesday next at 8pm. Bring yourself and plenty of ideas and enthusiasm. Everybody welcome. If you can’t make the meeting but would like to pass on information or views, contact Damien on 087 763 1911 or Orla on 087 643 2458.

Flatwork lessons at Harleys with Mary Devine

Once the final of the North West League is behind us, the spotlight will switch to flatwork for a few weeks. Vera has lined up Mary Devine to instruct us at Harleys on Fridays 30 March, and 13, 20 and 27 April. The plan is to start at 7pm sharp and to have two lessons. Numbers per class will be kept low (4) and there can be three classes per evening, if the demand is there.

Full details for Flowerhill now available

The schedule, entry criteria and closing dates have been announced for the Connolly’s Red Mills sponsored Hunter Trials Championships which return to Flowerhill Equestrian Centre, Co. Galway on Sunday 15 April.

There are no changes to the schedule from previous years with competitions on offer for individuals and pairs. Postal entries close on Wednesday 28 March with online entries closing at 3pm on Thursday 5 April.

Flowerhill NHTC Schedule 2012

Ride-out with Leo at Burt, Sunday 18 March

We’re going to break new ground on Sunday as Leo guides us on a ride-out from his base in Burt. It’s an area with real highlights like Grianán of Aileach and the views across Lough Swilly should be wonderful.

The expedition starts at 12 noon. Contact Leo by Wednesday on 086 853 2609, if you’d like to ride.

Hunter trial season gets into full swing: Drumlin Harriers, Cootehill, Sunday 18 March

With hunting now over for another season, all the horses and riders left standing after their exertions will be looking up the hunter trial calendar with a competitive eye. There are very few of them within reach of Donegal but Cavan is just about achievable in a day.

The Drumlin Harriers will host their spring Hunter Trials in Cootehill, Co. Cavan on Sunday 18 of March. Start time 11am. Open and novice individual and pairs will take place as well as a new class for children on ponies. Contact Sarah-Jane for further info on 087 132 4133.

Full results and points table, NWL Show 4

The league points table has developed an intriguing profile as we barrel towards the final on 25 March. Although we can already tell in a couple of the grades which club will take top honours, the exact placings are all to play for.

Congratulations to everybody. Roll on the final.

NWL 2012 Results · Show 4
NWL 2012 Points Table · Show 4

Daddy delivers as Baby Emily steals the show

If winning can become a habit, Nadine and Damien’s 2-week old daughter Emily was set the best possible example at today’s fourth leg of the North West League. In a riveting Advanced Intermediate class where three competitors proved that big entries aren’t needed in order to captivate a crowd, Damien rode Armstrong to another emphatic victory with the only clear round of the class. The league’s Advanced Intermediate honours now teeter on a mouthwatering knife edge as Damien and Stephen face each other for the fifth and final time on Sunday 25 March.

An already enjoyable day was lit up by the sight of Nadine and Damien pushing a little pram across the carpark half way through the show. Emily was the biggest crowd puller of the day and stimulated childhood memories from the likes of Leo, who speculated that he was just as beautiful but possibly not quite as quiet as a baby. Emily took the occasion in her stride and looks like she’s born to be a riding club member.

Like a good few other members, Leo was somewhat the worse for wear after a riotous night at the Donegal Harrier’s Hunt Ball the previous evening. Cool took advantage of the situation and decided how best to negotiate the course, leaving Leo with a sixth place standing instead of a glorious win. With the Gaeltachts filling the top three spots in the Advanced Primary class, it was slim pickings for Letterkenny with fourth, fifth and sixth for Keary, Orla Moore and Leo respectively. Less partying next time boys — think of your club responsibilities!

Both Liz and Hazel had uncharacteristic mishaps in the Primary class. It was Christopher on Angel who finished best of the Letterkennys in second place leaving Rudi Schneider of the Gaeltachts on Boysie to enjoy a great victory. Liz is practically home and dry in the Primary league but, with Christopher snapping at her heels, she’ll need to keep her eye on the ball and Judy’s mind on the fences if she’s definitely to nail the red rosette in two weeks’ time. Despite an unlucky fall today, Hazel is still within striking distance of a top three placing and won’t be conceding any points lightly.

There were plenty of people competing exclusively HC, notably Suzanne Deeney who produced a confidence-boosting double clear in the Welcome Stakes on Templemoyle Jack, and Rachel who has advanced with Lotto to 80cm training rounds. Lotto caught the eye of several spectators with her enthusiastic, stylish and athletic jumping.

It was great to see Bruce Vial back in the saddle with all his usual quiet and effective style. He rode Mona’s Johnny Cash in some training rounds as Mona watched from the sidelines nursing a broken rib from a recent spill. Both watched the Intermediate jump-off with intense interest as six riders gave it their best. Charlie was three quarters of the way to victory with a cracking round when Ozzy put in one of his hallmark seated stops after meeting a big spread on a bad stride. Victory went to the Gaeltacht’s Carmel Ferry whose hair-raising round on Pepe Lad almost brought the house down. A much-deserved victory for a great competitor.

Laura Schneider was the only competitor in the Open class and, having safely bagged her 7 points, she went on to entertain the crowd with a wonderful 1.20m training round on Chloe Lass. Likewise, Louise was the only crosspoles competitor but delivered another great performance on an uncharacteristically reluctant Daisy.

All in all, it was another wonderful day’s competition with enjoyment and achievement doled out in generous measures. The league now takes a two week break before the fifth and last show on Sunday 25 March. The league points table makes intriguing reading and promises a great finale.

Thanks to everybody who helped on the day, and to our coursebuilder, Seamus, and judge, Jacqueline. Full results and points table to follow.

Pictured below: Star of the show, Emily, was present to see Daddy taking top honours in the Advanced Intermediate class on family hero, Armstrong. More photos to follow.