RAHEEN Na Gun Stud’s Dressage and Combined Training League Finale was held last weekend at the popular Kilkenny venue with bumper entries of qualified combinations.

From lead rein right through to one-star competitors, riders have enjoyed seven weeks of competitions with the inclusion of racehorse to riding horse (RHR) classes.

Across the dressage classes, the lead rein and first ridden dressage was won by Tanya Kent, riding Montalbano 79.50% and 74.83% respectively. Montalbano is a 16.2hh six-year-old Fresian and her mother, Marie Clare Van Hout, made it a triple win for the family securing the closely contested DIN23 dressage on the same horse, scoring 74.83% from second-placed Jo Shairp on Primus 73.87% and third-placed Rachel Carr on Calvalador May Blossom, selected for the Irish Young Rider’s dressage team on 73.50%.

Rachel Menton reaped the rewards of her hard work in the league, securing the red ribbon in the first ridden introduction C class on Bailey (79%) from Paddy Byrne on Lanway Sparkle.

Tiggy Hancock fought off tough competition to win the BE90-92 on Ace 74% with Kylie Woodhan and Milo hot on her heels with 73.50%.

Reigning AIRC dressage champion Caroline O’Neill and Miss Double Dutch scooped the DI Prelim 15 with a whopping 77.14% ahead of second-placed Rose Shananhan and Festy 71.07% and Anne McGrath on her own Managh Heather (67.50%).

With the introduction of the RHR classes to the schedule, it was lovely to see the thoroughbred horses out competing happily. The overall RHR dressage league winner was Zoe Shannon and Dodge City (FR) which was lovely to win as Zoe has decided to retire her horse on a good happy note after many successful years competing.

Other RHR competiors were Pauline Danehill and Tatton Cross who scored a lovely test on 76%, while Joanna Lewis and Get the Picture scored 71.50%.

In the young horse classes, Robin De Pelsmaker riding Lizzy took the four-year-old section 72.5% from Amber Marnane on Bob (69%).

Sarah Lang’s KEC Diamantè took the five-year-old section on 80% from Joanne Lewis and Ballybough Brightspark (71.5%).

COMBINED TRAINING

Combined training sections were extremely popular across the board with the lead rein riders enjoying great competition with each other, all completing on their dressage scores. Ted Bjoremark Deegan on Mayfield Starry Knight completed on 21, Lucy Byrne on 21.5, Rachel Sheean on 22 and Nancy Lyons Deegan on 27.

Intro B 30 was won by Emily Marnane on Henry 18.24 while second-placed was Mia Perry on Ellie 24.12.

Intro B 40 was won by newcomer Camilla Kervick on Veejays Chatterbox 28.1.

The Intro C 50 class went to Evie Kennedy on My Starlight, completing on 24.29 from Abbi Byrne on Bryngwennol Reflection (25.24).

All riders in the intro 60 section completed on their dressage score and all jumped clear. Esta Roche on Parcglas Splendid Rainbow took the honours on 20.48 from Tamara Perry on Molly (21.8) and third-placed Aine Delaney and Jill (24.77). Fourth went to Clodagh Shanahan on Elsie (25.24), fifth to Ciara Bergin Ryan’s Garden Lady (26.2), sixth to Caoifhlinn Lawlor Tuckers Pepper (28.50) and seventh Ellie Kavanagh on Inspector Bob (28.50).

The 70cms class was won by Eliza Kavanagh on Pip (27.5) completing on her dressage ahead of Ruth Gibbons and Spider (48.5) and third went to Dympna Gibbons on Patchy (61).

The 80 and 90cms classes were very well supported with two sections for each class. The 80cms Section A winner was Kate Kelly’s Malachy, scoring 27, and in the 80cms Section B, joint winners were No Forde’s Blue Lake, and Richard and Jane Hancock’s Sparky ridden by Tiggy Hancock, both completing on 23 penalties.

The 90cms section A was won by Rachel Carr on Araglen Bucks Fizz on 26 penalties, from Gloria Nolan and Tilly on 27. Gloria then turned the tables to win Section B of the 90cms class with Major on 22 penalties from Annica Connie on Loughries Look Now (26 penalties).

The four-year-old section was won by Sarah Lang’s RNG Vantage Point, completing on a dressage of 24 penalties.

The RHR one-metre class was won by Lucy Davis and Sizing Columbia who posted a personal best dressage and clear round to scoop the award from Pauline Danehill and her plucky mare Tara Brown.

Grace Tyrell took the BE100 one-metre class on Fionas Fionn (22.5) from Pauline Danehill in second and third respectively on Tara Brown (28) and Glencairn Sixpence (31.5). Louise Moran slotted into fourth on Grantstown Merlin (34.5) and fifth went to Lydia Harper and Ballyfoyle Bella (43).

The 1.10m class was won by Megan Telford Kelly and Mr Chocolate on 28 penalties and she also took third place with Augabeg Dunboy after being split by Charlotte Teehan on Knockenpower Minnie (second with 31 penalties).

Fourth went.to Hanna Bjoremark Deegan on Mathilda.

The league was generously sponsored by TRI Equestrian TRM, Botanica, Gain Equine Nutrition and bespoke handmade jewellers IMB Design.