MORE than 65 combinations compete in the third leg of the Kavanaghs of Newbridge autumn dressage league, which was hosted by Dunbyrne Riding Club.

Judging duties at the O’Hare family’s Dunbyrne Stud in Kilmeague, Co Kildare were undertaken by Pat Creighton in the intermediate, advanced intermediate and open classes and competitors in the primary, advanced primary and sportsman classes were judged by Grainne Sugars.

Dunbyrne members Rachel O’Sullivan and Clare Harrington did their club proud in the primary class taking first and second place. O’Sullivan competed with Firones Spear and won the class on 59%, while Harrington and Hunting Princess were second on 58.25%.

The advanced primary class had 18 entries and the winner was Fiona Doggett from Cill Dara RC who scored 70.36% with her mare Jasmine. Mark Howe from Killcarrick RC took second place in the class for his club, scoring 62.50% on board grey gelding Millridge Kalmar.

The sportsmans class was open to riders graded intermediate and above for dressage and attracted 10 entries. The class was won by Deirdre Kane from Greenhills RC, who finished on 62.14% with Connemara mare Stoneybog Stripes. This was Kane’s first show after the birth of her baby daughter just six weeks ago and she was delighted with her result. Second place in this class went to Michelle Byrne on 60% with Little Miss Daisy.

Of the 18 entries in the intermediate class the highest score of the class and of the day went to Katie O’Riordan. She competed with coloured gelding Lyra Khazar for Cill Dara RC and won with 79%. Olwyn Butler from Greenhills RC took second place with Santero with 72.25%.

It was battle of the chesnuts in the advanced intermediate class. Lisa Doran from Calliaghstown RC won with chesnut gelding Ringwood Spongebob on 74.19%, ahead of Lorna Keogh and chesnut mare Killmac Z from Greenhills RC on 72.26%.

In the open class Sarah Quaid and chesnut gelding Riverstown Express won with 66.50%. This is a new partnership from Cill Dara RC and Quaid was delighted to pick up her first red rosette of the dressage league. Second place went to Louise Wilson and Cloon Bright Cloud from Calliaghstown RC who scored 61.75%. A coffee shop was manned on the day by Dunbyrne RC, with all proceeds going to the Irish Horse Welfare Trust. The West Leinster region would like to thank Kevin Kavanagh of Kavanaghs of Newbridge for his sponsorship of this league.

The next leg of the league will take place on Monday, October 27th and will be hosted by Calliaghstown RC at Calliaghstown EC.