Letterkenny Riding Club

Christmas ride-out moves to Rathmullan

Not surprisingly, after bringing a new baby and a new business into the world in the last few weeks, John and Sharon could do with putting their feet up in peace and quiet this weekend. We’re going to relieve them of riding club hospitality duty so our Christmas ride-out this Sunday will depart from the Carton yard in Rathmullan instead of from Kellee Stables. Catering at the new location might not be quite up to the truffles and mulled wine standards of Legnahoory but there’ll definitely be some suitable seasonal refreshments.

Start time will be 12 noon. Please let Libby know by Friday evening on 086 830 1392 if you plan to ride (or if you plan to go for a walk on the beach and join in the refreshments afterwards). At present the weather forecast is reasonably benign — if things deteriorate substantially we’ll call things off by Saturday morning so that everyone is free to make other plans.

An important voice for Donegal

With none of our members in a position to attend the Regional AGM held recently in Sligo, little news has seeped through yet of the business conducted on the evening. One very significant fact though has been picked up on an internet snooping mission: Tirconaill’s Charlie Vial has been elected Chairman of the region for the coming term. Congratulations Charlie. Well done for undertaking such a big commitment. It’s great to have a Donegal member in such an influential position and continues the standard set by the Gaeltacht’s Patricia Warren as regional secretary for the past few years.

Bowling night sets the tone for Christmas

Friday evening’s Christmas night out at Arena 7 proved a great success for the third year running. Attendance was in the high twenties, including three non-members, Cecil, Rick and Linda. With so many members happily enjoying good food and animated conversation, it was difficult looking around the dinner table to picture who wasn’t actually there. Tanya, laid low with a broken collarbone after a nasty fall from Al the previous weekend, was a notable absentee. We hope you’re feeling better, Tanya — you’ll be back to remind us of your bowling prowess in 12 months’ time.

Leo regaled his neighbours with hair-raising tales from the hunting field. Sally’s hair was standing on end before long and she politely declined the kind offer of a starter hunt on Grace. Mick and Suzanne were enjoying a night out and updated everybody on Gemma’s progress. Gemma, we hope to have you back in the equestrian world as soon as possible and we think of you all the time.

After an excellent meal, Marina ushered her charges into action in the bowling alleys and the competition began. Despite showing the finest of American bowling style, Rick failed to repeat his winning performance of 2010 and was thwarted by last year’s last-place finisher, Enda, and an energetic Mick. Paddy put up a fine performance on the other side of the field and, together with a stellar performance from playing partner Sally, almost snatched the Pair’s title. Marina and Enda took the honours in suspicious circumstances, thanks in part to Marina’s fine effort in winning the Ladies division. Certain players were aided greatly by the alcohol consumed with the meal beforehand but Hazel, Vera and Finbar weren’t to be helped and took home the coveted “Worst” titles on a great evening’s competition.

The prize-giving ceremony took place in the hidden snug and everybody sat on well into the early hours of the morning before emerging to a night of chilly air and lethal black ice.

It was a most enjoyable way to kick off the festive season. Sincere thanks to Marina for organising the whole expedition and to all members present for providing such plain-ordinary, down-to-earth good company and craic.

2012 membership subscriptions

A quick reminder to everybody that your riding club subscription for 2012 is now due. You may not participate at any riding club event in 2012 (not even our informal Friday evening activities) until you are in possession of your new card. With AIRC HQ closed for two weeks over the holiday season, it’s important that you renew now to ensure that you’re fast out of the blocks in the New Year.

Orla and Francis will both be present at our Christmas bowling evening and this provides an ideal opportunity to get your membership taken care of without a trip to the post office or a drive to Ramelton.

Please support the ISPCA Hay Drive

The ISPCA this week launched its Hay Drive, a seasonal fundraising initiative which allows you donate €3 to buy a bale of hay for horses in need. It’s a wonderful idea and a very, very worthwhile cause. You can make your donation by texting the word ‘hay’ to 57802.

Read more on the ISPCA website and see how donating through the Better Together website can help achieve even greater goals.

Who recognises this young chap?

Who can name the young man helping to drive this donkey and cart? See our When We Were Young(er) feature page…

Obstacle Challenge this Friday, 2 December, Templemore

Many of our newer members might have no idea what’s involved in an obstacle course evening on horseback. Well, the main ingredient is our erstwhile distinguished chairman, Mr Francis McNicholl. Each year Francis reaches back to his not-yet-abandoned childhood and retrieves some challenges that are guaranteed to test the obedience and accuracy of any horse and rider combination.

The pictures below give you the general idea. You’d be amazed at how determined you become to negotiate each of the obstacles. Something as simple as mounting your horse suddenly becomes desperately important while making the blasted animal stand still for 10 seconds in a wall-less sawdust pen is enough to make many riders pull their hair out.

There’s no jumping involved and every level of rider can enjoy the event. One horse can also accommodate several riders so check with your club mates to see who’s planning on going and maybe you can pick up a ride, even if you can’t bring your own horse. And even if you don’t plan to ride at all, it’s a lovely evening’s social entertainment and Francis can always use a few dedicated helpers.

Contact Francis on 086 372 2542 by Wednesday lunchtime at latest if you plan to attend.

Pictured below: Liz, Tanya, Mike and Vera take up the obstacle course challenge at Templemore, December 2009.

Western Region AGM, Sligo, Wednesday 30 November

The Association of Irish Riding Clubs (AIRC) divides the country into eight regions for the purposes of administration and competition (qualifiers for national competitions being a major reason for this geographic breakdown). Donegal belongs to the enormous Western Region which stretches from Ennis in the south to Athlone in the midlands and north to Malin Head.

There’s a wonderful spirit of friendliness and rivalry amongst the clubs in the region and it’s great to be affiliated with such a good group. Our derby, hunter trials, and Spring and Autumn shows form part of various Western Region Leagues, as do at least some of our North West League shows. The downside to our affiliation is of course the geographic spread of the region. Travel is becoming impossibly expensive and the main focus of everybody’s activities is now local.

Regional meetings take place about every six weeks and ideally all clubs should be represented. They cover business such as the allocation of show dates and the arrangement of national qualifiers (e.g. the Team Show Jumping Championship qualifiers). These meetings alternate between Tuam and Sligo, both of which are a good haul on a weekday night.

The region’s Annual General Meeting takes place this Wednesday evening in Markree Castle, Sligo. If any members would like to attend the meeting to represent Letterkenny, please give Orla a shout on 087 643 2458.