GLENAVY’s Joanne Jarden, owner/breeder of MJI Wendy, missed seeing the nine-year-old Gee Apollo mare win the CNCJ* at Killossery Lodge on Saturday as she was at the Bramham International Horse Trials in England.

Joanne attended the west Yorkshire event to watch MJI Limmerick Bell, who she also bred, compete in the CCI***. The 2004 Limmerick gelding has been ridden since he was a five-year-old by Jarden’s good friend Rachel Robinson. MJI Limmerick Bell is out of the thoroughbred Belle Canna who Joanne also rode at three-star level, representing Ireland at the 1999 European eventing championships in Luhmuhlen, Germany.

This weekend, Joanne is away again as she is on the ground jury for both CIC** classes and the CCI* at the Hopetoun international in Scotland.

On Monday, the Co Antrim rider/coach/breeder has a less pleasant engagement to fill as she has to have her knee injected with the latest wonder drug which hopefully will work so she doesn’t require surgery. She plans to return to competition next year.