BARROW Valley Riding Club hosted the first leg of the AIRC South East Regional Dressage League 2018, which took place last Sunday, at Carrigbeg Riding School in Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow.

With 38 dressage tests to get through, Barrow Valley’s round kicked off under the watchful eye of dressage judge Jillie Rogers.

The open class was battled out between three competitors, but it was Susan Patterson from the host club Barrow Valley who stole the spoils, with her mount Fear Liath, finishing on 77.7%, the highest score achieved on the day.

Ian Grace (Carne RC) took the coveted second position with Raegar on a score of 70.2%. Ann Marie Finn (Horetown RC) finished up in third and fourth position with her two mounts Finchogue Clover Pride and Finchogue Goldilocks.

The advanced intermediate class was contested by four competitors and it was Melanie Hammel (Carne RC), riding Taylor Danny, who finished in pole position on a score of 74%. Madeleine Bradley (Coole-Lane RC), riding Moon Runner, took second place with 64.6%, while third and fourth came down to the wire, with Anne Lynch (Waterford RC) riding User Friendly scoring 62.6% giving her a narrow lead over Anthony Gillespie (Russellstown RC) on Carrabawn Touch, finishing on a score of 62.5%.

The intermediate class again proved to be very competitive, but it was Russellstown rider Neomh Smyth, riding Picasso Splash, who claimed victory, finishing on a score of 73.04%, giving her an unassailable lead over Carne rider Nessa O’Sullivan, on Wexford Moondance’ score of 68.4% and putting them into second place.

A mere 0.2% difference split the blue and yellow rosette placing. Lean O’Connor (Carne RC) riding Diamond Minty Fresh took third place on her score of 67.8%.

The largest class of the day, the advanced primary class, saw 13 competitors vying for the ribbons. It was to be a second win for the Carne club as their member Anne Clune, riding Ragazza Bella, shot into the lead on a score of 71.3%, leaving her over 2% ahead of the host club, Barrow Valley rider Caroline Kelly on Myshall Lester’s finishing on a score of 68.65%.

With just 0.2% separating third and fourth, it was nail-bitingly close. However, it was Ciara Shannon’s (Coole Lane RC) score of 66.9% which saw her take third. Rachel Carroll (Russellstown RC) claimed fourth.

The last class, the primary class, saw victory going to Sandra Doody (Coole-Lane RC) riding Test of Courage. The pair gained a respectable score of 65.26% which kept them aloft of their challengers, Deirdre Deegan (Ballycanew RC) and Jane Mears (Waterford RC) who went on to take second and third place respectively.

The next leg takes place tomorrow (Sunday) at Daneville, hosted by Treegrove RC.