THE third week of the Ardnacashel Dressage League kicked off with a bright morning on Sunday, February 12. The little superstars were first in the ring to dazzle and delight Ivan Harper, who was judging. With the Intro Assisted Junior class on the schedule, there is a perfect opportunity to introduce the youngsters to the wonderful world of dressage and, who knows, maybe fan the flickering flame of interest into the full-blown fire of enthusiasm!
Coming out of the ring with a red ribbon and a huge grin was Esther Lowry and her pony ‘Hope’. Also in the prizes were second placed Sarah Herron and ‘Clantara Little Star’ and third placed Breagh McGoran riding ‘Kuoros Little Gem’.
After these talented young folks had melted everyone’s hearts and, let’s face it, put some to shame with their ability to ride, it was the turn of the Junior section. It was here that the familiar smiling face of Erin West rode straight down the centre line and into the judge’s good books. A smashing test saw her pick up first place in this section for the second week in a row.
A quick cup of coffee delivered to the judge’s car and the hotly contested Intro Senior section kicked off. Having finished in second place the week before, Nicola Caughey was clearly determined to move up the ranks this time around. And she did, finishing in first place with her gorgeous ‘Draughtons Cobweb’. Gillian Wilson came in second with ‘Lola’ and Jane Bruce showed consistency with her ‘Ringneil’s Minx’ picking up third for the second week in a row, adding points to those league tables. Fourth place went to Rebecca Patterson on board ‘Mistress Rigsby’, fifth to Cara Norman and her mount ‘Walter’ and sixth to Lisa Smiton on board ‘Cochise’.
The Newcomers class was won by Holly McCarroll, who picked up a second in this section the previous week. Holly’s ‘Ballydearg Zara’ was not to be knocked off the top spot two weeks in a row.
Debbie Smith took the ideal opportunity of the friendly atmosphere and experienced judging to educate her four-year-old ‘Breaffy Heaven’. And was rightly rewarded with a first place!
The same could be said of Caroline Heron and ‘Louis’, who won the Five and Six-year-old class with a smashing score of 73.33%.
Ardnacashel prides itself on creating a relaxed and calm atmosphere, perfect for the education of young horses. This atmosphere of course also suits veteran horses, such as Suzanne Cobain’s ‘Elsa’, who had a fantastic day and came home with a red ribbon for the second week in a row. Suzanne then also piloted her second ride of the day, ‘Nora’, to victory in the Traditional Breed section.
Rounding up the festivities was the Prelim Senior class, which was won by Lisa Torrens and ‘Gerrit VDL’, followed closely by Diane Hamiton and her ride ‘Henry’. With third going to Nicola Caughey and ‘Draughtons Cobweb’. These three ladies were highly competitive, with less than a mark separating them.
The Dressage fun and frolics will continue next week. Please enter online at ardnacashelequestrian.co.uk and check out Black Horse Photograghy for the photos from the fun in February.
RESULTS
Sunday, February 12
Dressage League – week 3
Intro Junior Assisted: 1) Hope, Esther Lowry; 2) Clantara Little Star, Sarah Herron; 3) Kouros Little Gem, Breagh McGoran.
Intro Junior: 1) Paddy, Erin West.
Intro Senior: 1) Draughtons Cobweb, Nicola Caughey; 2) Lola, Gillian Wilson; 3) Ringneills Minx, Jane Bruce; 4) Mistress Rigsby, Rebecca Patterson; 5) Walter, Cara Norman; 6) Cochise, Lisa Smiton.
Newcomers: 1) Ballydearg Zara, Holly McCarroll.
Four-year-old Horse: 1) Breaffy Heaven, Debbie Smith.
Veteran Horse: 1) Elsa, Suzanne Cobain.
Connemara/ Irish/ Draught/ M&M: 1) Nora, Suzanne Cobain.
Prelim Senior: 1) Gerrit VDL, Lisa Torrens; 2) Henry, Diane Hamilton; 3) Draughtons Cobweb, Nicola Caughey; 4) Beau, Lucy Marshall.
Five & Six-year-old Horse: 1) Louis, Caroline Heron.
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