More ribbons from the region

Who would be a points officer? Even with the best of efforts it’s inevitable that a few mistakes creep into a league table that extends over a long period of time and a succession of shows run by different clubs. Jane Conway, regional points officer, has done a great job in keeping things in hand over the past 12 months.

However a bit of detective work over the last 24 hours has revealed that we have three more Letterkenny members amongst the ribbons than originally thought. The mistake was made in the Advanced Intermediate division of the Spring Show Jumping League where in actual fact Marina finished second with Nadine and Tanya in joint fourth spot.

With the awards night past and other competitors blissfully unaware that a mistake has been made, we’re going to bask in glory quietly without making a fuss. Many congratulations to our three AIs.

Good showing from Letterkenny members in Western Region’s 2011 leagues

The results of the 2011 regional dressage, show jumping and cross country leagues were announced at Saturday night’s Western Region dinner dance in Ballinasloe. In a year when Benbulben claimed both Club of the Year and Member of the Year spots, the three Donegal clubs had plenty of names on the winners’ roster.

It’s a tribute to our very healthy novice brigade that three of our members placed in the Primary dressage league. Very well done to Maura, Martina and Vera on their consistent performances throughout the year. Congratulations to Tanya for placing at Advanced Intermediate level. Her consistent attendance at competitions combined with excellent results also brought her sixth place in the overall Member of the Year league.

Since our own Autumn show is the only event within reasonable reach, we had practically no representation in the Autumn show jumping league. We made up for that with very good results in the Spring show jumping league. Enda flew the flag at Primary level while Leo shone in the Advanced Primary category. Libby rounded things up with a ribbon in the Intermediate division.

With so few events run in the region, between our Derby and our Hunter Trial we had a distinct advantage in the cross country league. Christopher, Enda, Keary, Libby, Tanya, Damien and Geraldine were all amongst the ribbons. Hopefully the number of cross country events will increase in 2012.

The club’s 4th place in the overall Club of the Year is a great achievement. Many congratulations to everybody.

Western Region 2011 League Results

Club enters team in Relay for Life

Relay for Life is an Irish Cancer Society fundraising event being run at venues throughout the country on 26/27 May 2012. The Donegal relay, which runs for 24 hours, takes place at An Dánlann, at LYIT in Letterkenny.

All of us have been touched by cancer in one way or another and it seems like a wonderful opportunity to do something to help our friends. Cormac has entered the club for the event and will circulate full details about how it will work in due course. In the meantime, you can find out more about the event on the Irish Cancer Society website and/or contact Cormac on 087 251 4417.

S.O.S. Save Our Signs

Has ANYBODY seen the warm-up arena safety signs that Damien had made for the club last year. (And if you pretend you’ve never seen them, you’ll be made write out hundreds of lines some Friday evening until you’ve learned the rules by heart!)

The signs have been missing since the summer and are probably languishing in a shed or trailer somewhere. Could everybody please have a good think about where they might be. If we can’t find them, we’ll have to fork out precious club money for another set.

Looking forward to our armchair evenings

None of us want to haul horses around twice a week so, on the Fridays of our North West league show weekends, we’ll stick to sociable unmounted activities.

There’s a big difference between a farrier and a blacksmith and there’s a lot more to your horse’s hooves than a set of shoes. No hoof, no horse! On Friday 10 February, Damien will give us a talk on the art of farriery accompanied by vet Rhona McKenzie who will talk about essential horse health issues. Rhona will cover first aid for horses, colic, worming and vaccinations. Use this opportunity to learn about keeping your horse healthy, fit and sound.

A week later, on Friday 17 February, Mary Finneran will give us a talk on bridles and bits. How many of us really understand the action of different bits in the horse’s mouth. Have you ever thought about the thickness of your horse’s tongue? And what about nosebands? How tight should a flash strap be and why would you use one in the first place?

On Friday 2 March we’re going to visit Mary Devine’s facilities in Glenswilly and find out about different physical therapies for horses, including Equissage and Equitouch. You’ll probably end the evening wondering if you couldn’t treat yourself to the same treatment.

The armchair evenings are open to all members and should be informative, entertaining and sociable. Full details to follow.

North West League plans in place

Monday evening’s meeting of the North West League coordinators finalised the details of the upcoming shows and everything is set for a great series of competitions. For anybody who hasn’t yet arranged their entire lives around the league, the dates are Sundays 12 and 19 February and 4, 11 and 25 March. The format will be exactly the same in 2012 as it was twelve months ago.

NWL Show Schedule 2012

We hope that all members (and we already have 31 signed up for 2012) will do something to help. There’s no need for everybody to be present all day for each of the shows, if we can organise a good rota in advance that suits peoples’ commitments.

The responsibilities have been divided into three general areas: Entries, Call-up & Arena Party, and Practice Arena & Safety, with a coordinator for each area. Our club’s NWL coordinators will be in touch with every member over the next short while to see what task you would be most interested in helping with and what shows and times you can commit to. Rather than designating time slots, you’ll be asked to help for particular classes (e.g. Intermediate and/or Advanced Intermediate if you’re an AP rider, etc). If you’re not planning on riding, you’ll be able to nominate the classes that best suit your own timetable for the day.

Meanwhile, if you plan on competing at the league, good luck with your fittening and schooling. Remember that everybody is in the same boat over the winter and most of our horses and riders will be a bit rusty on the first day out. The great thing about the league is that you can really make steady progress over the course of the five shows.

Dressage Ireland at Necarne, Sunday 26 February

Any of you who are in dressage mode, or are looking for that all-important incentive to keep up the flatwork schooling, might be interested in attending the Dressage Ireland affiliated show in Necarne on Sunday 26 February. You do not need to be a member of Dressage Ireland to compete but do make sure to familiarise yourself with their rules. Apart from anything else it is an opportunity to compete at a stunning venue and to watch affiliated dressage riders in action.

Check out the classes available on the Northern Ireland Dressage site.

Jumping lessons with Daniel Lusby continue this Friday

Last Friday’s lessons with Daniel Lusby saw seven members in action. Orla and Louise took things fairly easy in the 7pm session and Louise thoroughly enjoyed her first riding club outing on the ever-dependable Daisy. Orla was test-driving a potential new mount and made the most of trying him in a new environment with a new instructor.

Marina and Enda, Anne, Leo and Cormac made up the second ride where the emphasis was on technical aspects of strides and the fine details of jumping coloured poles.

The second lesson in the series takes place this coming Friday. If you plan to participate, book with Orla on 087 643 2458 by Wednesday at latest.

Information evenings at Parkview Veterinary Clinic, Strabane

Parkview Veterinary Clinic in Strabane are holding two information evenings for horse owners over the coming weeks. The first takes place on Wednesday 25 January and will deal with the subject of lameness. The second, on Wednesday 22 February, covers the topic of parasites.

The talks are open to everybody and begin at 7pm. For further information contact the clinic on 048 7138 2636.