STARTING at the end of January and running over alternate Tuesday and Wednesday nights, the Bailey’s Dressage League proved a huge success at Wexford EC.
Six weeks of league action concluded with an exciting finish unfolding at the final of the Bailey’s Dressage League on Wednesday. With many combinations within points of each other and double points offered at the final, it was all down to the wire where judge Anne Marie Dunphy had the deciding vote on the day to determine the eventual winning combinations for the overall league placings.
Most promising smallest and cutest rider was Anna O’Connor, making her dressage debut riding Charm in the lead rein class, accompanied by her mother Susie. Anne Marie Dunphy was very impressed with the talent, balance and determination of six-year-old Anna. She took home the top slot and all important sash for lead rein winner. The walk and trot test eventual winner was Patrick Whelan, with his grey five-year-old Steel scoring 58 points out of a possible 60.
Second place and Best Pony award here went to Imogen Whelan on her piebald pony Nibbles with 54 points. Third went to Edie Codd on her new pony Charlie with 52 points. Sarah Murphy secured fourth place with Beano and Micheala Doyle was fifth, while Kitty, ridden by Vicky Cloney, took sixth place in the league.
The under 12s section saw nine riders battle out for a place in the final line-up. The top places going into the final were within a few points of each other and the eventual winner was Taylor Peare, who kept her form on the night to produce five straight wins on Lady Dawn Windsor, gaining the total of a perfect 60 points to claim the winner’s sash and rosette.
Second-place rider Oscar O’Connor finished on Birtley Rainbow Quest with 53 points, with Taylor Peare again claiming third on her young pony Baby Buttons, just introduced to competition this year, with 51 points. Oscar was a busy rider with three ponies and also secured fourth place with Trewfei Pepsi with 49 points and sixth place with Charm on 36 points. Imogen Whelan and her stunning chesnut pony slotted into fifth place on 39 points. Faye Murphy riding Biscuits, Sadbh Darcy with Moelgarneed Dymunaid, and Ava Doyle with Poppett took the remaining places.
HOT CONTEST
The introduction test was probably the most contested class with over 20 riders vying for places. This class also offered a highest placed four-year-old and five-year-old section too with a super sash and rosette for both. The best four-year-old was Fletcher, ridden by Louise Codd, who also took the first place of the league class on 53 points. The best five-year-old winner went to Brickendown Choice and rider Catriona Redmond with 42 points and she took the runners-up slot for this class overall. Ger Hammell, riding TayLor Slaney Cruise, with 40 points, took third place while Rafferty with Cat Fitzpatrick, in fourth, left the top two ponies in the section taking joint-fifth place. These were Churchill Catona, ridden by Naoise Ward, and Casey, ridden by Paula Moriarty, who both gained 30 points total to secure the last rosettes and prizes of the class.
The pre-novice and novice class were secured by Rachel Wall riding HHS Comporta Beach who gained near top marks with 58 points in both classes. There were lots of bags of Bailey’s Horse Feed and sashes with rosettes were loaded in her lorry after the league. Mel Hammel, daughter of Ger, rode Taylor Slaney Cruise in this class to secure second place on 48 points. Rafferty, ridden by Cat Fitzpatrick, and Emma Kehoe with Hugos Knight took third and fourth places respectively. With the novice class secured by Rachel Wall, Patrick Whelan, on his own horse Footfall, took second with 50 points. Kadie Burns and Flagmount got 49 points and Rachel, on her second horse Kachmine Le Beau, was fourth with 40 points.
Many thanks to all the riders and families for their support for the league. Special thanks to Anne Marie Dunphy for judging duties and also to Jill Spring, respected judge and sister of Judy Maxwell of Bailey’s Horse Feeds, for making the presentations.