OFFALY/TIPPERARY LOCAL HORSE RIDERS - 16/06/10
The month of June has started well for some local horse riders. On 12th and 13th, the Association of Irish Riding Clubs held their annual 2 day Festival of Competition at Stradbally Hall Estate, Co. Laois. Slieve Bloom Riding Club brought home ribbons, courtesy of Nina Scott and Blazing Glory (2nd in the Advanced Primary Riding Club Horse). Nina and her mother Louise have nursed Blaze back to health and both were delighted with the result.
Lorraine Coughlan and Moy Elma Dream (Ruby), after taking
2nd place in their section, took the Reserve Championship title in the Horse Sport Ireland Small Riding Horse, against strong opposition.
They then were proud to ride forward with the rest of the best for the Supreme Championship at the end of the day, The Carl Geisler Memorial Trophy. The next day, Lorraine and Ruby lined up for the Pure Connemara showing class, the rider was pleased with the performance and the pair were rewarded with 8th place, receiving very positive comments from the judges.
Success has come to Lavinia Read and Snowdrop Queen who won the Primary Showing class, and then went on to scoop the Frank Mangan Memorial Championship, one of the last classes over a long weekend. Lavinia also won her section of the Primary dressage class, qualifying for the final, and then finishing a very creditable 5th overall. Proving herself as a real contender, Lavinia took top spot in the Primary Dressage Prix Caprilli. A weekend certainly Lavinia won’t forget in a hurry!
In the dressage, Agata Leonard and Eurocent Calletto were placed in the Intermediate section, with a great score around 70%. Anne Little of Arderin Riding Club just missed out on a placing in her dressage competitions, riding the striking grey Ballyphilip Gold (Kal). This is a new partnership to watch out for. Anne’s clubmate Roma Murray was very happy to take a rosette home from the weekend. Roma and her horse Slieve Bloom Kiser claimed 9th place in the Advanced Primary dressage class.
Congratulations to all who participated in this weekend competition.
Eventing enthusiasts have had plenty to cheer about. At Kilguilkey House, County Cork on the 13th, Cloughjordan’s Katie O’Sullivan won her class with Shannondale Que and was 2nd in her next competition with Lowhill Blackout.
The Bank Holiday Monday was memorable for Jane Grace when she was 2nd on Push The Button in the Sportsman B section at Ballindenisk, County Cork.
Just a few weeks earlier, husband John Joe collected 4th place at the same venue in the Sportsman B section on Lough Aidan, following up his 3rd place earned at Ballinaclough, near Tramore.
