THERE was a mixture of sunshine and hailstones in Danville for the second dressage show for the 2019 season but with the threat of equine flu outstaying its welcome, all riders were keen to be out competing.

The day kicked off with the Trailblazers classes. Kate Murphy riding Sahara Gold won the Mini Intro class (65.3%). Heidi Smyth rode a cracking test to win the Junior Preliminary class with 66.4% on Tin Tin C. Second place went to Isabelle Barry on Sandy Banks (65.9%), with third going to Elizabeth Noble on Drumree Forest Price (56.6%). Isabelle Barry also won the Novice Junior Trailblazer class on Sandy Banks (66.7%).

Deirdre Crowdle Ryan won both Prelim Category 1 classes on Carnagh Pearl (60.6% & 65.2%). The Category 3 sections were dominated by Rachel Dowley and Just A Ball B.S. with scores of 72%+. Emily Kate Robinson was runner-up with Kekepania (65.4% & 58.1%).

In the first Category 1 Novice class, Claire Sammon won with Wallaby (65.3%) and Gemma Ferrer took out second place with Briefield Dawn (63.5%). The Category 2 class was won by Orla Harrington riding Othello (63.3%), with Liz Frayling on Helenaa winning the Cat3 section with a convincing 75.7%.

The second Novice class showed the same order of results for the Cat1 section with Claire Sammon on Wallaby winning with 60.2% and Gemma Ferrer on Briefield Dawn in second (57.9%). The Category 2 section was won by para rider Kate Kerr Horan riding Serafina T (61.5%). Rachel Dowley was back with Insticator B.S. this time, to win the Category 3 section (73.4%). This pair achieved the highest score of the 2018 National Championship last September and look set to continue their winning ways in 2019. Liz Frayling riding Helenaa, came a very respectable second with 70.1%.

WIN FOR OSCAR

Oscar O’Connor won the first Elementary class with his stunning Dutch pony Top Hero 2 (72.9%). Ian Grace was runner-up with Rhaegar WV (68.4%). The Category 2 section of the second class was won by Ian Grace riding Rhaegar WV(64.6%). Oscar O’Connor was back to win the Junior section on Top Hero 2 (62.7%). Rachel Dowley won the Category 3 section on Insticator B.S. with an impressive 69.8%.

Siobhan Schous was in great form with Halcon to win both Medium classes with 70.6% & 61.9%. Pam Kerr was runner-up in the second class on Broomfield Master M (61.8%). he Para Grade IV classes were won by Rosemary Gaffney riding her beautiful grey gelding, Bink (72.6% & 65.6%). Both Advanced Medium classes were won by Sive Kearney and her ever consistent gelding Rob Roy (67.9% & 68.7%).

In the FEI classes, Cillian Curran wowed with Charlotte winning the children on horses test (68.4%). Her Highness Willow, ridden by the talented Anne Marie Dunphy, was very consistent in the PSG and Inter I classes winning with 67.1% and 67.8% respectively. Rachel Dowley was back with her top horse Cadens, to win the Inter II class with an impressive 66.6%.

Special thanks went to all volunteers and Barbara Stallard of Danville House Farm EC. The next show is the Winter Regional Finals at Spruce Lodge in March. The AGM is Thursday, February 21st at 7.30pm in the IFA centre, Enniscorthy, all are invited.