DESPITE the wind and rain there was a good turn out to kick start the Caldene Eastern Region Dressage Winter League at Marlton Stud in Co Wicklow last weekend.

The judging duties went to Vida Tansey, Jane Whitaker and John Lyttle. The first class of the day was the intro class which was won convincingly by Margaret McMullin riding Alfie. This is a new combination that looks sure to have a bright future.

The welcome to dressage class is for non-members to encourage people to try out dressage and is included in the winter league. This class always has good entries and despite the weather conditions Kathy Lester produced a super test to win the class with score of 74.09%.

The highest score of the day went to junior rider Rebecca Payne and Casper the ghost with a very impressive 75.75%.

Another impressive junior rider who made her trip from the west of Ireland worthwhile was Alana Cazabon Sullivan who had two wins on the day. She won the medium BD73 with the Connemara pony Carn Verdon Boy and the took the advanced medium with her other ride Zazou on a score of 68.09%

The advanced BD105 was won by Roisin Henry and Warrington and the combination also took second place in the Prix St George.

One rider who didn’t have too far to travel was local girl Amy Jo Peskins who was riding the very smart Irish Sport Horse Harley. The 18-year-old was kindly loaned to Peskins by Fiona Kavanagh only four months ago and the pair are quickly making their mark in the dressage world. The combination won the Preliminary BD15 class and were third in the Novice BD39.

The Preliminary BD7 class went to Deborah Freeland riding Diamond Chancer. Both elementary classes were won by junior rider Bonnie O’Reilly and the ever consistent Don Quoixite 111.

Marlton Stud’s Barbara Delahoyde took the honours in the medium BD75 while her daughter Josephine won the Prix St George riding Lets Go. Another rider from Marlton Stud who had a successful day was Jane Carroll riding Kadinsky 6 when they won the Novice BD39 class.

The next leg of the Caldene winter league takes place on Saturday, October 15th in Marlton Stud.