THE week commencing Monday, November 7 saw Ardnacashel Equestrian dedicate itself to Working Hunter wonder. This started off earlier in the week, with the Wednesday evening training show – a less formal event giving riders a chance to learn and practice their technique. This was an opportunity for competitors to try their hand at the discipline without the added pressure of a qualifying class.
Starting off at 50cm, Mia Jackson piloted her pony ‘Molly’ expertly to a clear round. Holly Webber won the 70cm on her ‘Bluebell’, with Connie Grey coming in second, riding ‘Joker’. Meanwhile in the 80cm class, first place went to Shannon Cairns on board ‘Granstown Ninja’; second was Caroline Crossin with ‘Ronnie’ and third was Claire McKay with ‘Crannard King of Harts’.
Then on Sunday, November 13, the tweed jackets, coloured ties and hairnets came out. With everyone looking so elegant and photogenic (a shout out must ge given to Blackwater Photography!) the scene was set for a day of fun-tastic fabulousness! With classes from cross-poles to 1.10m, there was something for everyone.
Lily Henderson on board ‘Emily’ rocked the cross-poles course to come home with a red ribbon, while in the 50cm section, Gail Hadden won with her own ‘Diesel’; second place went to Mia Jackson on ‘Molly’.
Victoria McCurdy won the 60cm in style riding ‘Templebui’, with second place going to Siobhan Clarke, third to Gail Hadden, fourth Madison O’Kane and fifth to Anthea O’Kane.
The first Northern Ireland Festival qualifying class, the 60cm Starter Stakes, was won by Tilly Ham riding ‘Olly’. There were then three 70cm sections to choose from; horse and pony, starter stakes and four-year-old. First in the horse and pony class was Victoria McCurdy taking her second win of day. The blue ribbon was picked up by Karina McVeigh, with third going to Karuna Gourley, fourth to Tilly Ham, fifth to Sophie Ham and sixth to Siobhan Clarke.
The four-year-old class was won by Madison O’Kane on board the wonderfully named ‘My Friend Fred’.
The next class of the day was the NIF qualifier 80cm, with Emma Jackson securing her ticket, winning with ‘Archie’. Second was Katie Scott, third was Karina McVeigh, fourth was Sophie Ham, fifth was Eabha Mallon and sixth was Karen Connolly.
Next was the 80cm NIF qualifier (133cm) won by the awesome Abi Gardiner and her mount ‘Hillside Nicely Dun’; this young lady will be busy next year, having previously qualified for the Pony Club Championship in Scotland. Second place went to Shannon Cairns and third went to Tilly Ham.
Emma Jackson cleaned up in the M&M 80cm NIF qualifier, taking first, second and third on board ‘Digger’, ‘Cassie’ and ‘Luigi’ respectively.
Moving up the grades to the 90cm NIF qualifier, saw Sophie Ennis claiming top spot with ‘Rainbow’. Second went to Robert Newell, third to Danielle Connolly, fourth to Emma Jackson and fifth to Gillian Wilson. The 143cm qualifier section went to Kez Boyce riding ‘Errismore Black Log Lady’.
In the Small Hunter qualifier, Emma Jackson took another win with ‘Archie’. In second was Eabha Mallon and third, Liz Sherry.
Max McDonnell won the 153cm metre qualifier on ‘Chloe’, while in the horse and pony metre qualifier, Emma Jackson continued her winning streak with ‘Nico’ and took second place as well with ‘Tommie’, third place went to Charlotte Brown and fourth to Jessica Knowles.
Finishing off the day in style, Emma Jackson clocked up yet another win in the 1.10m on ‘Nico’. Huge thanks go to Rosie Alcorn and Coastal Vets for sponsorship of this league. Get your entries in for next week online at ardnacashelequestrian.com
RESULTS
Wednesday, November 9
50cm: Molly, Mia Jackson; Priah, Megan Cairns; Skippy, Connor McCluskey.
60cm: Skippy, Connor McCluskey.
70cm: 1) Bluebell, Holly Webber; 2) Joker, Connie Grey.
80cm: 1) Granstown Ninja, Shannon Cairns; 2) Ronnie, Caroline Crossin; 3) Crannard King of Harts, Claire McKay.
Sunday, November 13
Coastal Vets Working Hunter League
Cross-poles: 1) Emily, Lily Henderson.
50cm: 1) Diesel, Gail Hadden; 2) Molly, Mia Jackson.
60cm: 1) Templebui, Victoria McCurdy; 2) Apollo, Siobhan Clarke; 3) Diesel, Gail Hadden; 4) Florence, Madison O’Kane; 5) My Friend Fred, Anthea O’Kane.
70cm Horse and Pony: 1) Templebui, Victoria McCurdy; 2) Coco, Karina McVeigh; 3) KGS Murphy, Karuna Gourley; 4) Lily, Tilly Ham; Lucy, Sophie Ham; 6) Apollo, Siobhan Clarke.
70cm Starter Stakes: Shadow, Harley McKeag.
80cm NIF Q: 1) Archie, Emma Jackson; 2) Duke, Katie Scott; 3) Coco, Karina McVeigh; 4) Lucy, Sophie Ham; 5) Fragile Dreams, Eabha Mallon; 6) Herbie, Karen Connolly.
80cm 133cm NIF Q: 1) Hillside Nicely Dun, Abi Gardner; 2) Grantstown Ninja, Shannon Cairns; 3) Lily, Tilly Ham.
80cm M&M NIF Q: 1) Digger, Emma Jackson; 2) Cassie, Emma Jackson; 3) Luigi, Emma Jackson; 4) Erismore Black Log Lady, Kez Boyce.
90cm NIF Q: 1) Rainbow, Sophie Ennis; 2) Bruno, Robert Newell; 3) Code Red Ruby, Danielle Connolly; 4) Tommie, Emma Jackson; 5) Elamo Little Diamond, Gillian Wilson.
90cm 143cm NIF Q: 1) Errismore Black Log, Kez Boyce.
90cm Small Hunter NIF Q: 1) Archie, Emma Jackson; 2) Fragile Dreams, Eabha Mallon; 3) Monty Millar, Liz Sherry.
1m 153cm NIF Q: 1) Chloe, Max McDonnell.
1m NIF Q: 1) Nico, Emma Jackson; 2) Tommie, Emma Jackson; 3) Carrignard Rosie’s Touch, Charlotte Brown; 4) Pinecroft Jedburgh, Jessica Knowles.
1.10m NIF Q: 1) Nico, Emma Jackson.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
