THE first of Eastern Region Dressage’s winter shows attracted a great turnout of riders and supporters to Boswell Equestrian last Saturday, judged by Mairin Cassidy and Bernie Webb.

The popularity of dressage has increased rapidly in recent years and this is evident in the number of younger riders becoming involved especially in the eastern region.

Stephan Glavin on Dreamer won the training introductory class, which is a walk-trot test, for his very first competition with a super score of 65.57%.

Margaret McMullin’s luck continued after winning the preliminary section in the Tredstep summer league, she went on to win the first two classes of the winter shows. Margaret on her just broken Lily won the welcome to dressage class with a score of 70.23%. She also won the long arena preliminary class with a score of 63.04% on Oakfield Maya’s Wish.

Another rider who had a very successful summer season was Laura Hall who travelled all the way from college in Tralee, Co Kerry, the night before the show. She rode her own Strattonstown Warrior in the short arena preliminary class and won with a score of 68.75%.

Alicia Kestell on Arklow Touch Of Colour won the junior preliminary followed by Aoibhe O’Keeffe on Emir - CL.

Rosemary Gaffney on Ustero won both the para grade III individual and para grade III team. Rosemary who is equine course director at Kildalton College, joined Para Equestrian Ireland in 2010 following a bad fall in 2007 where she had multiple fractures in her knee and leg.

Kathryn Tottenham on Rosheen Diamond Imp won the short arena novice with a score of 65.96%. Kate Morris on Ustero won the long arena novice class with a score of 68.7%.

The highest score of the day went to event rider Sophie Richards on SRS Adventure who won both elementary classes as both of her scores over 72%. The next dressage show will be held on Saturday, October 17th at Boswell Equestrian with ERD hosting classes from a walk/trot-up to medium tests. Entries close Monday, October 12th.