THE carriage driving section of HSI hosted its first indoor/outdoor competition in the National Sports Centre, Abbottstown in Dublin on May 10th, 12 competitors enjoyed a dry but windy day at the fabulous new venue.

Janos Foeldzin, driving Folke Rohrssen’s third horse Vikki won the novice horse class from Don Walsh who was driving his young section Welsh D cob, Rooster. The novice pony division was easily taken by Linda Applebe driving her Section C, Jack, while Brianna O’Slattara (10) driving the brown pony from her father Brian’s pony team took second place with Michael Ryan at his first ever competition in third place.

Sara Clinghan, driving her new horse Harry in the open horse division, and Richard Logan, driving the left wheeler from his pony team in the open pony division, were unchallenged.

Unusually, the multiple class was the strongest class of the day, with the Rohrssens bringing their two horse pairs with which they hope to represent Ireland at the World Pair Championships in Hungary, plus John Goodwin with his exciting diminutive, (all under 12.2hh), pony team and Brian O’Slattara with a pair of his Connemara-cross ponies.

Annika Rohrssen decided not to compete in the dressage phase but instead volunteered to judge, so did not have a combined score.

The final result was that Folke Rohrssen won with Brian O’Slattara in second place and John Goodwin, who had an exciting round, requiring a course rebuild, coming in third.

The organisers thanked everyone who helped with course building, as well as those who stewarded, scored, judged or helped in any way. The venue attracted high praise from all both for the facilities and the accessibility, as well as the help from the staff on site.