News from HQ

David Abbott from AIRC HQ has asked Orla to ensure that a couple of items of news are well publicised amongst members:

Membership Cards

Members, club officials and event organisers are being reminded that all riders taking part in any AIRC activity must produce a valid membership card. Under rule 4, c, members are not permitted to take part in any activity until they are in possession of their membership card. If a member is unable to produce their membership card, they are not permitted to take part in the activity. Any breach of this rule can incur automatic suspension and a fine of up to €1,000. Club officials and event organisers are also reminded to check the grade of any rider on their membership card before accepting an entry from that competitor. Please ensure to remind your members of this rule and also any officials, in particular those accepting entries at any AIRC activity.

And on a slightly lighter note:

Equestrian Ski Trip

We’ve organised a totally new and completely social ski trip to Austria in February where there will be an opportunity to go horse riding on Icelandic ponies. It’s open to anyone, members and non members, equestrian enthusiasts and those who don’t know what a horse is! We can accommodate groups and single folk on this trip.

We hope and your members will consider joining us on we hope it will be a chance to meet new friends and old, all with a common interest. We may even introduce a club skiing championship!

Further information is available on the AIRC website or you can contact our Topflight representative Maurice on 01 240 1700.

At last! A local equestrian laundry and repair service: Sharon & John’s Equi-Wash up and running

Sharon and John’s rug wash, reproofing and repair service at Kellee Stables near Kilmacrennan is now up and running. “Equi-Wash” is the only such business in our area and it’s bound to prove very, very popular. See the Equi-Wash website for full details or contact Sharon on 086 338 9166 or 074 913 9436.

The first riding club pick-up date is this Saturday at our show in Eglinton so get your rugs together and get in the queue.

The very best of luck to Sharon and John with the business. It’s lovely to see local enterprise and initiative.

Equi-Wash Pricelist

Teams take shape for defence of cup

Francis has worked his magic again and has drafted four teams from the riders who have made themselves available for selection for Saturday’s Team Show Jumping Challenge. There might be a bit of chopping and changing yet but this will give everybody a rough idea. If you’re placing a bet, place it on the club rather than on a specific team — we don’t mind which one wins!

Team 1  Marina, Paddy, Leo, Dave
Team 2  Damien, Anne, Keary, Enda
Team 3  Erica, Francis, Mick, Christopher
Team 4  Tanya, Libby, Annette, Karen

The best news of all is that our club talisman, Armstrong, will be competing on the day.

Hands up: Volunteers for Saturday please

Many members have already been in touch with Martina to offer their services for Saturday’s show at Eglinton. If you haven’t done so yet, expect a call from the chief of operations. It’s always better to take the initiative yourself — that way you might have some choice in what job you land!

As always, it’s worth pointing out that helping run the show is not only your responsibility as a member of the club, it’s actually great fun!!!

Time for teambuilding **change to team formats**

Just ten days to go until our Autumn Show at Eglinton on Saturday 22 October. Last year’s event was a mighty success with the biggest ever turn out of riders from our own club. Our Donegal neighbours turned up in numbers also and we welcomed a few visitors from as far afield as Galway and Clare.

The Team Show Jumping Challenge is the main feature of the day and all eyes are fixed on the P. Mulrine & Sons Northwest Challenge Cup. You don’t need to do any additional jumping to be on a team — your round in the individual graded class counts towards the team competition.

**Teams of four must comprise two riders from each of the two lower grades (Primary, Advanced), and an Intermediate rider. The fourth member may be of any grade.** Francis is the chief team selector and he needs to know as soon as possible whether you plan to compete on the day. Contact him on 086 372 2542 to let him know whether he can include you in his plotting and scheming.

Pictured below: The team that kept the Challenge Cup in Letterkenny Riding Club’s trophy cabinet in 2010: (Paddy on Lizzie standing in for) Keary (AP) on Joe, Libby (I) on Armstrong, Francis (I) on Zak and Annette (P) on SonnyB.
(Photo courtesy Gamble Photography)

Working Hunter in Omagh RDA, Sunday 16 October

‎Omagh Riding for Disabled Centre is holding a working hunter show on Sunday 16 October. Classes to suit everyone including those wishing to qualify for the Northern Ireland Festival 2012. Classes will commence at 10am with a cross pole competition, followed then by a cradle stakes qualifier, and will then move up the heights. Further details on the schedule can be found on the NI Festival website.

Knock-out reappearance from Mick and Angel

Friday evening’s clear round jumping evening at Glenleary was notable for the quality of the simple but challenging course as well as for the helpful and instructive advice provided by Mary Finneran. But it will be remembered best as the evening when Mick was reunited with Angel. The pair flew around the course with energy and enthusiasm and Mick’s smile reached from ear to ear. Suzanne watched with pleasure with Basil from his stable door and she looks forward to getting back on board sooner rather than later.

While Mick has retained all his riding skills despite the 4-month break in equestrian activity, some other skills seem to have deteriorated slightly. Between untacking Angel and returning her saddle to the tack room, he succeeded in plunging the yard into total darkness. Desperate efforts were made by several able-bodied men to resuscitate the electrical system but it all came to nought.

This week we move to Templemore for some indoor clear round jumping in anticipation of our show at Eglinton the following weekend. Full details shortly.

Pictured below: Friday evening’s crime scene, Glenleary.