Blue skies, sunshine, scenery and social life

It couldn’t have been a nicer day. Brilliant sunshine and clear air made visibility perfect for the 2-hour ride from John and Sharon’s Kellee Stables in Legnahoory, near Kilmacrennan. Trailers and lorries assembled at around 3pm and horses were matched with riders so that everybody who wanted to ride got to ride. Our two newest recruits, Hazel and Sally, prepared for their maiden club voyage. Fifteen members headed out from the meeting point and there’ll be a prize for anyone who can still identify each partnership come the end of the year.

The route ascended quietly along tiny roads lined by picturesque green fields until, taking a sharp left along a hard core track, the group climbed steeply to a viewing point that revealed 360 degree views across most of the county. The descent from this peak was across boggy hillside, back to the roads and another stretch around by Harleys at Trentagh. Only at this point did the ride split into two and two thirds of the riders braced themselves for a brisk canter along a long, bushy track. Damien on a delighted Armstrong set the pace. Everybody else kept their heads down and hoped for the best!

Fifteen riders and fifteen horses were safely accounted for back at the yard and once all horses had been assigned to paddocks and stables, the barbeque began. Great food, laughter and chat was topped off by a session from Finbar on the guitar with Marina, Audrey and Maura supplying the vocals. The sun was still shining as everybody slowly made their way back home.

A huge thanks to our three wonderful hosts, Sharon, John and Pippa, for a perfect day. We’ll be back!

Pictured below: Ride-out and BBQ at Kellee Stables. More photos in the Gallery.

Looking forward to a relaxed club gathering, maybe even with some sunshine…

John & Sharon’s Christmas ride-out was a victim of the winter weather last December but it’s looking increasingly likely that tomorrow’s catch-up event is going to escape this summer’s usual treatment.

Meet to ride at 3pm. The group may be split into two groups, depending on how adventurous and energetic people are feeling. John helped his neighbours draw in 1800 bales of hay recently and we’ll reap the benefits of his labour with some cantering around freshly cut fields. Sharon is going to do gate duty and, if anybody needs/wants to bring children, she’ll entertain them in the field with a game of rounders while their old folks are out hacking.

Bring your own fodder for the grill and whatever your horse might need to keep body and soul together while you kick back and enjoy a sociable evening with the club. You can also leave your horse at home and come along just for the barbeque end of things. Contact Sharon for directions to the yard. If the sun shines we should be in for a good old fashioned hoe down!!!

Two new members, one new Secretary’s assistant

There have been several reports recently about the increase in club memberships across a wide number of disciplines. It seems to be one positive effect of the downturn, which is really saying something. Certainly Letterkenny Riding Club’s membership continues to thrive and this week we welcome two more primary level riders to the ranks.

Hazel Mahony lives in the Kilmacrennan area and has kept her horse on livery with John and Sharon for a couple of years now. She’s a happy hacker who looks forward to enjoying a broad range of the club’s activities.

Sally Turnbull is from Craig, just south of Rathmullan, and as a youngster was a partner in pony crime with Libby. She took a long break from riding before beginning lessons at Glenleary a year ago with her twin sons. She’ll share Rachel’s and Libby’s ponies and horses while she finds her club feet.

And as the club continues to thrive, the workload for the secretary increases apace. Orla is stretched to her limit and has called on the able assistance of Erica to make sure things continue to run smoothly. Erica and Orla will decide on a week to week basis how best to divvy up the duties so you may hear from either of them as time goes on. Erica is contactable on 083 370 9333.

Bruce looks for a new life

Bruce, the bay thoroughbred that Rachel brought to the first few legs of the North West League in February, injured a tendon several weeks ago and his racing career is ended. He’d love to continue life as a pleasure horse and, with several months on the easy list, should be well capable of carrying on work at a less competitive level. Now 4 years old, he’s an exceptionally good natured horse who can be hacked out safely from the field in any conditions and is a pleasure to handle in the stable. Bruce is available free to a good home. Contact Rachel on 086 161 7087 for further information.

Pictured below: Bruce at Templemore, Spring 2011.

TREC competitors prove a hardy bunch

Quote of the weekend: “TREC is the sport for hardy feckers!” Orla reports that it was “a good weekend, camping was a challenge, well pretty much everything was a challenge but there wasn’t one single complaint about ground conditions for the PTV and all bar the 30KM route riders managed to get home with only a few showers”.

On a weekend when Falcarragh Gymkhana and Claragh Races bit the dust, it’s quite an achievement to have pulled off the event. Well done everybody.

Ride-out and BBQ at John & Sharons, Saturday 23 July

Close your eyes and imagine a sunny summer’s afternoon… All we can do is hope that the weather plays ball for our ride-out and BBQ at John and Sharon’s Kellee Stables near Kilmacrennan on Saturday coming.

The ride is along tiny quiet roads with stretches along laneways and paths and optional diversions into large, newly-cut hayfields. The ride will set off at (tbc) 3pm and will be followed by a BBQ at homebase. There’s lots of stabling so your horses will be comfortable while you kick back.

Full details from Sharon on 086 338 9166. Let her know in good time if you plan to go along.