CO Cavan’s Lakelands Riding Club may have missed out last year but 12 months on they claimed the top spot at the 35th anniversary AIRC Festival in The Irish Field Musical Ride class.

Their imaginative floor plan suited the Top Gun-themed music with all six horses and riders suitably attired as characters from the iconic movie. In front of a big crowd in the Aloga international arena on the Saturday evening, judges Maire Quinlan Pluck and Michael Moore awarded them a total of 112 points, six ahead of the Shrek-themed entry from Earls Well Riding Club based in Ballinhassig, Co Cork.

Moore was on hand to present the Lakelands team of Áine Tully (Ballywillpower), Caroline O’Reilly (Lus na Meala Ruby Tuesday), Clare Turner (Sharks Gold), Ellen Rudden (Syruss Blue), Rosemary Armstrong (Capella Star) and Sharon Shanley (Sam) with their winning rosettes.

Kilcarrick Riding Club’s Rachel O’Reilly came out on top in The Irish Field Prix Caprilli (RC P3 and RC N) class on a score of 70.56% with Reddragon Paparazzi. Máirín Cassidy was the judge for the The Irish Field Prix Caprilli (RC P1 and RC P2) class, which saw Laura Reynolds and Barryswell Rachet post a very impressive total of 81.94% to claim the win for Drynam Riding Club.

Amy McGarvey from Stracomer Riding Club won The Irish Field Dressage to Music (RC P1, RC P2 and RC P3) class with the 18-year-old thoroughbred gelding Fin Rough Diamond.

“I live in a rural area outside Dungloe on the west coast of Donegal, the next stop is America!” said Amy.

“It has been a bit of journey for my horse Fin Rough Diamond, as he used to compete in flapping races. I avail of the online dressage classes as there is very little opportunity to compete in dressage competitions where I live. I selected cowboy-themed music for my floor plan. I’ve been a member of Stracomer Riding Club for two years and I’m really delighted to win with him on our first outing at the festival.”