NOT even the weather could dampen anyone’s spirits at the Equine Awards NI Dressage final on Sunday, December 12. The Antwerp arena at Gransha Equestrian Centre, Bangor was transformed into a winter wonderland, with twinkly potted Christmas trees, courtesy of Nash’s, fabulous wooden trees carved out of pallets and enough mulled wine and mince pies to keep everyone going all day. Of course, no Christmas show would be complete without the fancy dress and, with £350 up for grabs, it was a competition like no other!
Pocketing the £100 first prize in the senior category was Karol Nagy as the Winter Queen – Karol has been a valued member of staff at Gransha for over 10 years and he partnered school horse ‘Leigh’ to victory not only in the fancy dress, but also in the Senior Intro league. Karen Jeffrey looked amazing as a snowman on board ‘Junior’ to claim second, while Louise McMinn and ‘Lisbane Wizard’ paired up beautifully in their festive costume with fairy lights and stencilling to take third place.
The junior fancy dress was much more difficult to judge, as ponies and children all ticked the cuteness box! Setting the bar extraordinarily high were twin boys Ollie and Isaac Gordon, with their version of a Christmas sheep and an xmas pudding! In joint second were sisters, Elissa and Rebecca Cowan, who looked great as Santa’s little helpers in matching dresses, hats, numnahs and even bandages!
Judges Elaine Morrow and Lucinda Webb had their work cut out, as a total of 65 tests were judged throughout the day. Kicking off the day in the Antwerp arena was the Mini Intro class, where there was a tie for first place in the assisted class between Grace Jackson riding ‘Trigger’ and Elissa Cowan on ‘Beltoy Panteal’. Ollie Gordon on ‘Maypole Stargate’ were third; Isaac Gordon on ‘Lowland Toy Soldier’ took fourth and Rebecca Cowan on ‘Ruby Tuesday’ were fifth.
In the unassisted class, it was a win for Megan Deerie and ‘Patch’. Erin Gordon and ‘Maypole Stargate’ took second. Combining these results with the best two scores from the qualifiers, gave the placings for the league. First place in every class won a beautiful Le Mieux rug and league rosette, as well as festive treats courtesy of Penny’s for Candy. Lifting this title in the assisted intro class was Grace Jackson; Ollie Gordon took second, followed by Isaac Gordon in third. Erin Gordon won the unassisted class. Scarlett Dodd and ‘Omars Day’ went on to win the junior section.
It was a closely fought battle between friends and work colleagues at Gransha, as Melissa Saulters and Karol Nagy went head to head in the Senior Intro class. It was a win for Melissa on the versatile school pony ‘Sally’. Karol and ‘Leigh’ had to settle for second; Rosemary McCullough and ‘Burnished Denman’ took third. In the league, Karol Nagy was first, Rosemary McCullough second and in joint third were Laura McMaw and Sheila Barclay.
In the first of the Junior Prelim classes, ‘Duke of Down’ ridden by Eva O’Neill claimed first place; Lucy Frew and ‘Monty’ took second and Izzy Stout and ‘Naomi’ were third. Lucy Frew won the league rug for first, while second went to Anne Pawlock and ‘Harvey’. Charlotte McCullough and ‘Burnished Denman’ recorded a win in the second of the Junior Prelim classes. Eva O’Neill took second and Izzy Stout was third. Charlotte McCullough lifted the league prize, closely followed by Anne Pawlock and ‘Harvey’.
One of the largest classes throughout the league was the Senior Newcomers – aimed at horses and riders who are new to this level. Alex Ryan and ‘Dunny’ were the victors on the day, closely followed by Laura McMaw and ‘Bannagher Boomerang’. Third place went to Deborah Donnell and ‘Lusmagh Echo’. ‘Dunny’ and Alex secured first place in the league, Deborah took second and Alex with ‘Fletcher’ were third.
In the first of the regular Senior Prelim classes, it was a win for Angela Fynn and ‘Knock James Jack’; Louise McMinn and ‘Lisbane Wizard’ were second, while Karina McVeigh and ‘CoCo’ were third. Victory in the league went to Georgie Young and ‘Pinecroft Glacier’, with Angela Fynn in second and Karen Jeffrey and ‘Junior’ in third.
Georgie Young went on to win the Senior Prelim DI p5a class, ahead of Laura McVeigh and ‘Milly’. After a very consistent league, Georgie claimed the top spot with ‘Pinecroft Glacier’.
In the first of the Novice classes, it was a win for Robyn McMurray and ‘Rocco Banana Man’ in the Junior section of BD Novice 24. Sharon Getty and ‘Daisy’ took victory in the Senior section; Shenade Duggan and ‘Henry’ were second and Judith Bankhead and ‘Polly’ were third. In the league placings, it was a win for Sharon Getty, a second for Judith and a third for Debbie McAlister and ‘Monty’. In DI n21, it was another red ribbon for Sharon Getty, a second for Claire Bevan with ‘Summer’ and a third for Samantha Edgar and ‘Ballinderry KJ’. Sharon picked up the top spot in the league, ahead of Sam Edgar.
In the Elementary class, it was a win for Sharon McGimpsey and ‘Chilli’, both on the day and in the league. Second place went to Sam Edgar with ‘Ballinderry KJ’.
Michael Boyd made the long journey from his base in Newry at Narrow Water Stud to pick up two first places in the Medium and Advanced Medium classes on board ‘VSH James Bond’.
It has been a very educational league for young horses that made their debut at Gransha earlier in the year. They have really grown in confidence over the duration of the league and Zara Wood and ‘Evaline’ claimed victory, ahead of Angela Penman and ‘Lys Etoile’ – both very talented four-year-olds. Angela picked up the lovely rug for the Young Horse league.
Last but not least was the turn of the ladies in the sidesaddle class. Suzi McClean and ‘Simba’ had a clean sweep, winning on the day and in the league. Sharon McGimpsey and ‘Chilli’ took the second place ribbons.
Thanks again must go to the very generous sponsors of this Equine Awards NI league. Remember nominations can still be made and tickets purchased for this special night by logging on to www.equineawardsni.com
Everyone at Gransha would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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