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.

Working hunter activity with the Tirconaills

Working hunter classes will soon be vying with actual hunting for popularity, albeit amongst a somewhat different crowd. The ongoing NWWHA league in Coleraine switches venue to Eglinton after Christmas which is good news for anybody from our area who wants to give it a shot.

And it’s great to see that our neighbours in Tirconaill Riding Club are hosting a working hunter and showing demonstration with highly-acclaimed coach and showing expert, Toni Donnelly. (Many of you will remember that Erica organised a very successful working hunter day with Toni at Cyril’s last year.)

The event will be held in Deane’s Equestrian Centre in Bruckless on Wednesday, 7 December at 7.30pm. Toni will finish the evening with  a Q&A session.  Admission is €10 adults, €5 child/student. If you are interested please text/call Brenda on 087 631 7425 so that adequate seating can be arranged.

There will also be a Working Hunter Show in Deane’s EC on Sunday 11 December.

Ray (of) sunshine on a Sunday afternoon

On a weekend of truly awful weather, the riding club managed to come out on top with two hours of brilliant sunshine and just one fleeting shower in the final 100 meters of a most enjoyable ride-out.

Zak and Fenway escorted their band of grey mares (Lizzie, Hannah and Sapphire) along tiny little roads north of Ray up into Glenalla before turning west and taking the off-road track back across the hill towards Lough Swilly. The horses were fresh and stepped out at a great pace and the riders had plenty of time for leisurely conversation and enjoying the scenery.

As true club gentlemen, the geldings looked after gate duty for the mares, with Francis and Libby both having their difficulties at times getting back in the saddles of their keen mounts. By the time the group returned to the trailers, the cobwebs were well and truly blown away and five contented horses headed for home with their riders.

Pictured below: Francis and Zak manhandle a slap at the highest point of the route while the girls enjoy the view south east over Lough Swilly. More photos in the Gallery.

Ride-out this Sunday from Ray

This Sunday, some members may travel the long road to Knock for the final of the Western Region Autumn Show Jumping League while others will be ferrying their little horrors to the East Donegal Pony Club’s rally at Templemore. Another few may be soaking in hot baths recovering from a great day’s sport with the Donegal Harriers at Peter & Richard Smyth’s famous Victoria Bridge meet on Saturday.

For anybody who’s at a loose end, Libby will lead a ride-out from the football pitch at Ray Bridge, between Ramelton and Rathmullan. The circular route will cover the area north west of Ray, taking riders along tiny roads and some untarred tracks. Beautiful scenery is guaranteed and at present the weather forecast looks promising.

Contact Libby on 086 830 1392 in advance if you plan to ride. Start time will be around lunchtime — exact time to be agreed amongst those who are going.

Demonstration with Peter Smyth, Necarne, Thursday 24 November

Local international showjumper, Peter Smyth, is giving a demonstration in Necarne Equestrian Centre on Thursday 24 November at 7pm sharp. He will work three different horses and demonstrate suitable warm-up procedure for a novice horse, warm-up and riding a course with an experienced horse and finally jumping a Grand Prix course. Prices are £10 general admission or £5 for students.

Friday evening practice makes for perfection on Sunday

A small band of six members turned up at Templemore on Friday evening and enjoyed a great session of clear round jumping and socialising. Leo, Liz, Vera, Cormac, Karen and Laura made the most of their time using both the indoor and outdoor arenas. Leo and Cool put in a speedy round at 70cm before Leo dashed off to honour his civilian obligations. Liz, Karen and Cormac coached each other around the course at increasing heights while Vera and Karen burned off some equine energy outdoors on their own. Karen then tackled the course in fine style on Jack while Cormac popped a nicely warmed-up Tia around the jumps.

Strictly speaking puissance is a word that we’re not allowed use at riding club events but surely Cormac, who finished the evening with a meter round on Charlotte, is entitled to puissance-style honours for his efforts?

Height isn’t everything and whatever work Laura did with Jessie paid off in spades on Sunday. Congratulations to the pair on winning their class at the Working Hunter Show in Omagh. Very well done!

Pictured below: Laura on Jessie beautifully turned out for their victorious appearance at Sunday’s Omagh Working Hunter Show.

NWL 2012 meeting, Tuesday 22 November

With 2012 now just around the corner, next Tuesday sees the first meeting of the three Donegal riding clubs to get the ball rolling for our fourth annual North West League. Paddy, Cormac and Libby are Letterkenny Riding Club’s coordinators this time around. If you have any bright ideas for the league, contact any of the trio in advance or feel free to stick your head into Tir na nOg on the evening.