THERE was a bumper turnout for the league finals of the Dressage and Combined Training at Raheen-Na-Gun Stud, Kilkenny, where young riders from lead rein right up to 1.20m were out in force last weekend.
Bianca Lennon’s Bonnie, ridden by her daughter Lucy, took the PC2013 walk trot test from Sophie Johannesson’s Casper Mountain.
Ultra consistent Shauna Fitzgibbons on Cola took the BE 90-97 (75.5%) and the second slot in the DI Preliminary 15, which was role reversed when Jo Shairp made a welcome return to competing with Carol Gee’s Fernhill Primus to take the DI Preliminary 15 (74.64%).
Lyn Keane and CTS Peppermill scooped the BE111 with 72% while Charlotte Teehan on Knockenpower Minnie won the BE130 on a score of 71.5% ahead of Ruth McDonald and Killoughey Clover.
The combined training catered for all levels and age groups.
Mia Perry and Ellie scooped the lead rein class with a super clear, completing on their dressage score 24.5/0 (24.5), and second was Ted Bjoremark Deegan on Hector, again jumping clear and completing on dressage score of 26/0 (26).
The adults cross-poles class was well supported with Sarah Morton and Pips Delight winning on a score of 24/0 (24) from Sharon O’Brien, who took second and third respectively.
Victory in the children’s cross-poles class went to Aine Delaney and Blaithnaid Deegan was second, closely followed home by Belle Keane.
In the 60cms class, all the riders completed on their dressage scores after posting super clear rounds. Rachel Deegan took the honours from her sister Maeve Deegan, while Rachel Menton took third place.
In the 70cms, the jumping phases caused a few problems for all the riders. However, with an excellent dressage score of 25.5, Mary Hayden and Ash Mara prevailed to scoop the prize from Neasa McEvoy on Tysaxon Girl. In third place were Mary Kate Holohan and Princess, while fourth was Aoife Sherry on Pride of Stonyford.
The 80cms on the day was won by Lee Maher on his own Pippa. However as the pair were not qualified, the overall league was won by the second-placed pairing of Caroline O’Neill and Miss Double Dutch. In third was the ever consistant Jessica Sinnot and McCloud.
The 90cms was split into two sections due to the volume of riders. In section A, Lorraine Hoyne Casey took the honours with Georgie Best, completing after a fence down on 26.5/4 (29.5), from Rachel OConnell and Bolero. Slotting into third was Jerry Lenihan’s Star Smokey and Kate Lenihan.
Section B was won by Lucy Davis and the former racehorse Sizing Columbia completing on their dressage score of 29 and with a higher collective mark than Lorraine Hoyne Casey on Midnight Tango Two, who also completed on 29. Third place went to Molly Shea an Dolmen Deja Vu.
TRIUMPH FOR TEEHAN
The one-metre section again saw consistent jumping prevail and was won by Nicholas Teehan’s Knockenpower Minnie and Charlotte Teehan 23/0 (23) from Sarah Lang’s KEC Diamante 26.5/0 (26.5). Third place went to Rachel Burke’s My Late Find 29/0 (29). The 1.10m section went to Hanna Bjoremark Deegan’s Mathilda 23/4 (27.5).
The best turned out horse award went to Clare Faulkner’s Grey Bird, kindly sponsored by Dapple Equestrian, and best turned out pony went to Shauna Fitzgibbon’s Cola.
Sarah Lang said: “We’d like to thank our sponsors including IMB Design bespoke jewellery who sponsored the dressage, while Gain Horse Feeds teamed up with Raheen Na Gun to sponsor the combined training.
“We would also like to thank all the competitors and judges and ground staff who made this league possible and fun. The next league will be February/March 2017.”