IN association with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, the Dressage Ireland Winter Finals drew large numbers of competitors to Castle Irvine, Necarne on April 2 and 3. The sun shone as competitors enjoyed the fabulous facilities on offer and most of the competition took place in the superb walled garden arena.
Dressage Ireland were delighted that SVS Equine and Freedom Saddlery once again came on board as class sponsors and were in attendance with their stalls throughout the weekend.
It was a successful weekend for many Northern Region riders; Mark Robinson took two championship titles with Deborah Burns’ lovely ‘Master Caledonia’ – this combination proved unbeatable in both the Preliminary Category 2 and the Novice Category 2 Championships, with some incredible scores over the two days.
Laragh O’Grady and the ever-impressive ‘Mullentine Emerald Wolfe Tone’ impressed the judges to clinch both the Inter I and Small Tour Championship titles, while Ellen McDonald took away four titles in total between her two ponies ‘Greenfield Apache’ and ‘Dante Alighieri’.
Local International Para Athlete Lucinda Blakiston Houston had a good weekend, taking joint first place in the Advanced Championship alongside a new young rider combination of Ellen Lonergan aboard the lovely ‘Cadens’.
Joan Adrain, Kirsty Jackson and Denise Kelly Rice, all aboard some very talented younger horses, took a title apiece over the two days with all showing great promise for the future.
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