THE 2015 Silver Spurs League got underway last week with two assessment days being held in Laurelview EC and Spruce Lodge EC respectively. Experienced British selector and trainer Islay Auty returned for the third time to her role as assessor, and she was once again impressed by the standard of rider that came forward.

Both venues were well subscribed, and the organiser of the Spruce Lodge qualifier, Joan Keogh, was quick to attribute the increase in entries to the work of Dressage Ireland’s new chairman, David Keane.

Together with the committee of the Leinster Region, Keane has implemented a new training scheme for young riders, the Leinster Dressage Youth Development Squad, and many of the riders who came forward for assessment are members of this squad.

The under-12 league is currently being led by the joint winners of this section from Spruce Lodge, Ellen Creed and Rebecca Payne. Trained by Jillie Rogers, Creed has been successfully contesting affiliated shows already this year with her veteran mare Miss Delilah. Payne, meanwhile, is a member of the Irish Pony Club, and takes lessons with Ronan Kinsella. Both of these riders scored a total of 24.

HSI pony dressage development squad member Catherine Gorton leads the pony section, earning a mark of 23.6 for her ride on Heartbreaker Junior. While Gorton was pleased with how she “learned so much from Islay in such a short space of time”, she was also quick to credit her “amazing trainer” Kate Dwyer for her success.

Double-handed

The Denise Shawn-trained Bethan Pereira and Ferrari lead the junior section on a mark of 25.5. Pereira is double-handed however, as she also lies in fourth place with Created RW in the open under-25 section for combinations who have competed at medium and above.

Gransha Equestrian Centre’s Courtney Stuart leads this section on an impressive 27.5 with her small tour mount Fanfarron 8.

Rachel Dowley lies just behind her in second, after earning nines across the board for her ride on Cadens.

With her other ride Edward, the Anne Marie Dunphy-trained Dowley also shares the lead in the U25 section, with Northern Ireland-based Sarah Bradshaw and Arabian Knight.

Generously supported by Tredstep Ireland and Horse Sport Ireland once again this year, the Silver Spurs aims to identify and develop talented riders from all disciplines and is open to Dressage Ireland non-members. A further round of assessment days will take place in June.