BARROW Valley Riding Club members were on the move early, last Sunday, July 27th, to finish set up for their Barnardos Fundraiser event, being hosted at Carrigbeg Riding Stables by kind permission of Susan Patterson. With a huge entry of over 110 between dressage and show jumping, the scene was set for what was to prove a very successful day.
As the dressage judge Lisanne Kearns took up her post at C and with the photographer Claire Sheehan in situ, the dressage competition began with Cheryl Keogh (Kilcarrick) taking on the first centre line, riding Hodson Bay Lass to victory in the RC P1 class.
It was then on to the largest dressage class of the day, the RC P2 class, which was won by the host club Barrow Valley RC as Isobelle Gould riding Foxy Furisto secured the red on a score of 75.58%.
The Young Horse class showcased three talented youngsters and the win again went to the host club with Paul Roche riding Banaglen Beau to a score of 71.92%.
It was a double win for host club member Isobelle Gould and her 19-year-old home-bred mare Foxy Furisto as they continued their earlier winning form to secure the podium finish for a second time, this time in the RC P2 Open on a score of 76.92%.
The RC P3 class was tight at the top with only 0.4% giving the Rower’s Aileen Walshe riding Lightning the win over host club’s Valerie Crean with her home-bred TB Kildoon Trix on scores of 76.40% and 76%.
In the RC N class, Carne rider Joy French with Lily’s Rose won on a score of 69.52%, taking the lead over Mary Hickey (Barrow Valley) riding Seabanks Pappen Boy, who scored 61.61%. The RC P3 proved to be a Barrow Valley dance off, as Valerie Crean riding Kildoon Trix took a red to add to their earlier blue on a score of 68.41%, putting her second mount Samona into second spot on 64.55%. The last dressage class of the day saw Joanne Threadgold (Barrow Valley) and Ellie win the RC E test on 60.77%
Show jumping
The Newcomers class saw Cheryl Keogh (Kilcarrick) riding Hodson Bay Lass secure their second red of the day, finishing in joint first with Patricia Molloy (Thomastown) riding Lady. The RC 70 class was won by Barrow Valley’s Shauna Meaney riding Mooncon Star, who were the only partnership to secure a double clear. The RC70 Open saw Josephine Britton return to the arena this time to top the podium.
Optimum time was the deciding factor in both the RC80 and RC80 (Open), where the wins went to Emily Cunningham (Kilcarrick) riding Prescotts Belle and Aisling Kirwan (Kilotteran) riding GRC Glacier.
The RC YH class was won by JJ Bolger (The Rower) with his youngster Castlehill Lily. Next up was the RC90, where Caoimhe Curran (Barrow Valley) guided Clonfin Lolalicious around some pretty tight turns to a double clear in a time of 36.69 seconds giving her an unassailable lead.
The RC90 (Open) was won by Rathangan member Lilly Sullivan with Killags Royal Ace and the RC100 win went to Mary Hickey (Barrow Valley) riding Seabanks Pappen Boy.
Top Score
As the day was drawing to a close, the last class of the day, Top Score, drew an audience as four riders went head-to-head to secure the highest number of points in a specific time.
JJ Bolger (The Rower) nosed Misty Princess through the finish on a score of 550 just 0.07 seconds ahead of Roisin Digby (Thomastown) on The Best of Friends, who also finished on 550 points.
Next it was time to run the raffle and prize presentations, which were all kindly sponsored by TRI Equestrian and raffle prizes being sponsored by Paddy O’Donell - Kilfarrasy, Berney Bros Saddlery Kilcullen, BevElle Hair Salon, Lisgarvan House International, Equipark, Quinns Agristore Milford, Dressage at Home and International, Eurofarm Tackshop, C Sheehan Photography, Alan Byrne Art and Bagenalstown Country.