Fabulously presented fences at Glenpatrick

NO stone was left unturned at Glenpatrick for the most recent Northern Region Spring Event, which was held in a myriad of weather conditions, ranging from heavy, persistent rain to high winds, followed by glorious sunshine.

Britt and Anne Megahey and their team of workers had spent many hours preparing the ground to ensure that, despite all the recent rainfall, the event was able to proceed. The three courses, designed by Adam Stevenson, were beautifully presented and the standard of finish, together with the roping, rivalled many International events. John Gibson’s photos on www.sportingimagesni.co.uk are testament to their efforts.

Steven Smith rose to the fore in the EI 110 Open class riding ‘Mike of Mourne’, a seven-year-old gelding by ‘Ringfort Cruise’, who was bred by the Northern Region Treasurer, John McBride. A clear show jumping round moved them up four places and relegated the early leader, Denis Currie with ‘Arodstown Aramis’, into second place after he, unfortunately, picked up eight jumping and some time penalties to add to his super 20.8 dressage score.

A 28 strong EI 110 class saw Hillsborough rider, Clare Abbott, claim the spoils in fine style, despite having one fence down in the second phase with ‘DHI No Fear’, Sarah Riley’s eight-year-old ‘Nonstop’ gelding. Only two of the 17 finishers kept all the coloured poles intact. Clare’s amazing dressage score of 15.3, awarded by Angeline Nicholson, gave her an immense lead of almost 20 over second placed Sarah Ennis and ‘Action Lady M’.

Lucy McIlroy had a runaway victory in the EI 110 J class with her mother, Angela’s eight-year-old mare ‘Imperial Black Pearl’, giving them four consecutive wins.

15-year-old Anya Teuton from Newtownards kept her incredible eventing career to date afloat by securing another win in the EI 100P class partnering ‘Lisrua Star’, her mother’s very striking Connemara Pony. They finished four and a half points clear of Lucy McDowell and ‘Lisnahall Miss Toffee’ on this combination’s third outing.

Anya also picked up a second placing in the EI 100J class on board ‘Painted Cavalier’, her mother’s ‘Cavalier Two For Joy’ gelding, who is showing consistent good form, with a lowest placing of fourth for the combination out of six run, which includes two wins.

They were pipped to the post by a margin of 1.1 by Lara McRobb and ‘Carrickaduff Dame’, a 13-year-old mare by ‘Dancing Boy’, who is also clocking up great results.

Organisers were delighted to host the first leg of the National Gain Equine Nutrition EI 100 League at Glenpatrick. This League, which is running at EI 100 level, is aimed at supporting the grass roots of the sport this season.

The large entry meant a class division and it was a very delighted Hannah Blakely, who took the win in the ‘A’ section with ‘Lougherne Bellissima’, a seven-year-old mare by ‘Viscount’, who was having her first run under Eventing Ireland rules. They led from the outset and finished marginally ahead of Edgar Boggs with his ‘Camiro de Haar Z’ gelding, ‘Camiro de Clover’, who added nothing to their first phase mark.

The ‘B’ section of this Gain League was won by Jonathan Steele on his six-year-old home-bred gelding by ‘Centrestage’ who, again, kept both jumping phases clean and finished fractionally ahead of Steven Smith and ‘Charles Imp’, a six-year-old gelding by ‘Antaeus’.

Sincere thanks to Keith Cooney of Gain for the generous sponsorship of this League. Organisers wish all competitors the best of luck in the remaining legs, culminating in a final at Crecora in July.

Once again, there was a large entry in both EI 90 classes, requiring divisional splits. The ‘A’ section of the main 90cm class saw the red rosette make its way back to Tullymurry with the rider Elaine O’Connor. This was Elaine’s second outing with ‘Sir Barnabus’, a 12-year-old ‘Cyrano’ gelding, with which she has secured back to back wins and finished on her dressage score on both occasions. They finished three points clear of Grace Kehoe and ‘Killeshin Fifty Shades of Grey’, who were enjoying their first outing this year.

Connor Savage made a big impression in the ‘B’ section, where he claimed top honours with Lynn Forbes’s ‘Doctor Pepper’, finishing on his sub-30 flatwork mark, giving him a one point advantage over Beth Hayes and ‘Largymore Lass’.

15-year-old Newtownabbey student, Katie Flanagan, had plenty to celebrate as she topped the leader board of the EI 90 Pony ‘A’ section with Tanya Flanagan’s grey gelding, ‘Son of Loki’. They climbed five places after dressage, after a number of mishaps encountered by her fellow athletes, including a very unfortunate fall on the flat by the first phase leader, Clodagh McBride and ‘CSC Apache Dove’. Erin McClernon, on only her second outing, took the runner up spot with ‘Sundance 111’.

Meantime, the ‘B’ section was won by Lauren Madine on ‘Moonshine Melody’, who were replicating their performance at Frankfort Stud towards the end of last season. They finished clear and inside time, giving them an advantage of almost three points over Katie Robinson and ‘Duncarbery Cascade’, who gained one placing higher than on her first outing the previous week at Maddybenny.

A huge ‘Thank You’ goes to Britt and Anne Megahey for opening the gates of their fabulous premises for Northern Region use. It is always a very special event, where special memories are made and organisers apologise profusely for not having left it in the pristine state in which they found it.

As always, thanks and admiration to all of the helpers, who turned out en masse to fulfil the large number of duties required, some from as early as 6.30am. The Northern Region really is blessed to have such a great band of volunteers, who come week after week to enable the sport to flourish.

Now attention turns to Castle Irvine, Necarne where the Northern Region is resurrecting eventing after an absence of 11 years. Anyone willing to help, should contact Dora on 07876 758979.

Sadly, the event is still obligated to operate without spectators.

RESULTS

Saturday, May 8

EI 110 Open: 1) Steven Smith, Mike of Mourne; 2) Denis Currie, Arodstown Aramis; 3) Sarah Gilkinson, Lush Upgrade; 4) Patrick Eames, Peruising; 5) Holly Wray, Lily Mae; 6) Tori Dixon, Mawillan.

EI 110: 1) Clare Abbott, DHI No Fear; 2) Sarah Ennis, Action Lady M; 3) Steven Smith, Mr Diceman; 4) Sarah Ennis, Dourough Ferro Class Act; 5) Camilla Speirs, BT Roca Rey; 6) Anita Doherty, Threeseas.

EI 110J: 1) Lucy McIlroy, Imperial Black Pearl; 2) Tom Rowlatt-McCormick, Mon Ami Alme.

EI 110P: 1) Caoimhe Crozier, Kildromin Banjo.

EI 100P: 1) Anya Teuton, Lisrua Star; 2) Lucy McDowell, Lisnahall Miss Toffee; 3) Erin McCrea, Knockagarron Fear Bui Phoenix; 4) Alex O’Hare, Greylands Diamond Girl.

EI 100J: 1) Lara McRobb, Carrickaduff Dame; 2) Anya Teuton, Painted Cavalier; 3) Felicity Johnston, Fernisky Fantasy; 4) Bethany Smith, Dun Surprise; 5) Sarah O’Shea, The Cherokee Flight; 6) Sarah O’Shea, Youngstars Cheetah.

Gain Equine Nutrition EI 100 ‘A’: 1) Hannah Blakely, Lougherne Bellissima; 2) Edgar Boggs, Camiro de Clover; 3) Jonathan Steele, Elpaso Rising Storm; 4) Rosie Alcorn, Chrysanthos; 5) Michael McGaffin, Greenhall Rock N Roll; 6) Steven Smith, Jaguar Blues.

Gain Equine Nutrition EI 100 ‘B’: 1) Jonathan Steele, R Showman; 2) Steven Smith, Charles Imp; 3) Corey Mawhinney, Lemme Aine; 4) Anita Doherty, Samphire; 5) Jonathan Steele, Loughehoe Scarlet Fever; 6) Connor McClory, Turn Up Trumps.

EI 90 ‘A’: 1) Elaine O’Connor, Sir Barnabus; 2) Grace Kehoe, Killeshin Fifty Shades of Grey; 3) Jonathan West, Monmurry Sovereign; 4) Mya McCullough, Halleys Hero; 5) Felicity McConnell, Ladida; 6) Emma Irwin, PSH Let’s Tango.

EI 90 ‘B’: 1) Conor Savage, Doctor Pepper; 2) Beth Hayes, Largymore Lass; 3) Ralph Robinson, Lanigan O; 4) Jake Rawlinson, Knockaleery Legacy; 5) Grainne Baxter, Cillbhrid Splash; 6) Rachael Broome, Nature’s Blossom.

EI 90 P ‘A’: 1) Katie Flanagan, Son of Loki; 2) Erin McClernon, Sundance 111; 3) Molly O’Connor, Coolnaleen Rebel; 4) Erin Mathieson, Longwood Dawn; 5) Ella Lindsay, Kilcurry Gem; 6) Lee Bloomfield, Lonely ‘ER’ V/H Juxschot.

EI 90 P ‘B’: 1) Lauren Madine, Moonshine Melody; 2) Katie Robinson, Duncarbery Cascade; 3) Connie Cullen, Finding Nemo; 4) Amy McLaughlin, Knockgraffon Girl; 5) Erin McCrea, Knockagarron Fear Bui Princess; 6) Anna McCaldin, Mon Ami Tonnerre.