STRULE Valley Riding Club further celebrated 25 years by organising a camp at the wonderful Castle Irvine Necarne and Ash Hollow Equestrian at the weekend in glorious sunshine.
Camp started at 10am on Friday with flatwork training with Penny Sangster and continued throughout the day. Penny is a BHS Stage 4 Senior Coach in complete horsemanship. Her aim is to promote confidence in both rider and horse. She currently holds regular clinics throughout Northern Ireland. Bracken Equestrian Master Saddlers travelled down to County Fermanagh and carried out saddle checking and also gave a very educational talk.
A beautiful meal was enjoyed in Molly’s in Irvinestown on Friday evening after the horses had been tucked up for the night. Pearl and Alison Donnell were presented with gifts and flowers from club members for their 25 years service.
Saturday was show jumping day and again commenced early at 10am. Lessons were taken by William Anderson in the fabulous walled garden of Castle Irvine Necarne. William is a BHS Stage 4 Senior Coach in complete horsemanship. He was first runner up in the BHS Coach of the Year competition in 2010.
Members moved to the fantastic venue of Ash Hollow Equestrian on the Sunday for cross-country with Ian McCluggage from I M Equestrian. Ian was previously a rider at Fox-Pitt eventing and Piggy March eventing.
The club would like to thank the wonderful instructors, Penny Sangster, William Anderson and Ian McCluggage and the superb venues, Castle Irvine Necarne and Ash Hollow Equestrian.
Thanks also to Alison and James Callion for their wonderful hospitality and barbecue at Ash Hollow during the cross-country and to Alan Badger and Alan Gilchrist for manning the barbecue!
Special thanks to Charlene Little and Katie Clarke for capturing special memories for members over the weekend in their photos and videos.
Some of the feedback from camp from members included:
“Thank you all so much Strule Valley for such a warm welcome at the club’s camp, I’m still on cloud nine. It’s great to be back in the saddle again and all of you helped make it happen.”
“Absolutely brilliant weekend all round. Thank you for organising and everyone else who made it happen. Delighted to be back in Strule Valley Riding Club again. Definitely given me some riding motivation and inspiration. Really think it should be an annual event. Lovely end today at Ash Hollow with barbecue and thank you team Callion for hosting.”
“Thanks for a brilliant weekend all. Really enjoyed it. Got some of my confidence back too.”
“A huge thank you for organising such a fabulous weekend. Amazing venues, brilliant instructors and a lovely friend club who all help each other. Thanks also to the Callion family for the use of their wonderful cross-country training field and the fabulous hospitality given to us all. A weekend to remember for a long time.”
Next on Strule Valley’s summer schedule is show jumping training with Ian McCluggage at the Meadows Equestrian Centre during June.
July sees the return of the popular annual summer show jumping league after a break of two years due to covid, at Ecclesville, Fintona outdoor. Dates are Wednesday, July 6, 13 and 20, with the final being held on Thursday, July 28 to avoid Clogher Valley Show. Classes are 60cm, 70cm, 80cm, 90cm and 1 metre open and starts at 7pm each night. The league is open to everyone, members and non-members, ponies and horses. Generous sponsors are Thyolo Equestrian, HF Equine, Bluegrass, Fane Valley Augher, Bailey’s Horse Feeds, Carrie Townsend Physiotherapy and Ash Hollow Equestrian. Perpetual cups are The AJS Promotions Perpetual Cup, Strule Valley Riding Club Perpetual Cup, The LW Surphlis and Son Perpetual Trophy, The Good Gracious Perpetual Cup and The Fordie Cathers Perpetual Cup.
Show jumping training is also planned with Mandi King at Tyrone Farming Society showgrounds in July.
In August, a new instructor for the club, Chris Bogues will take members for show jumping training at Ash Hollow Equestrian and Kyle Hayes will return, also in August, for polework training with members at Castle Irvine Necarne. Monthly pleasure rides at Gortin Glens are also on the schedule.
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