THIS past Sunday, riders from across the South West Region of the Association of Irish Riding Clubs travelled to Skevanish Equestrian Centre to take part in the regional dressage qualifiers.

Two clubs from the region filled teams for the main event, Connolly’s Red Mills team dressage qualifier, which ensured it was going to be a hot competition.

The morning saw Lene Rose Aksoy of Highland Lodge Riding Club whisked down the centre line with the wind. Aksoy, stepping up to Medium level for this year’s competition with her horse Fernhill Nearly Darc, seemed unphased by the blustery conditions and scored 66.77% which saw her team off on the right hoof.

Team South West had a last-minute reserve called up. Astrid Blom and her horse Grelson ZK, riding in the RC E. Blom impressed the judges with her presentation of Grelson ZK, a 15-year-old Polish Warmblood, scoring 70.38% in their first test.

Following the advanced team riders, both teams prepared to battle it out in the RC N, RC P3 and RC P2 grades. Highland Lodge accumulated high 60% scores by riders, Sinéad Vallely RC N 67.58%, Heather Twomey RC N 67.58% and Siobhán Young RC P3 68.2%.

South West riders entered the white boards knowing it was going to be a hard act to follow. Nevertheless, all riders achieved respectable scores, Emma Dair RC N 65.48%, Cara McSweeney RC P2 63.27% and Caitlin Steel RC P2 68.08%. Following the tallying of results from test one, South West had the lead by only 0.58%.

Highland Lodge rode consistently with their second tests bringing their team total to 401.69%.

The final South West rider down the centre line, Caitlin Steel and her 10-year-old cob x Connemara, Ogie, clinched glory for South West Riding Club with a score of 70.19%, raising the team total to 408.35%.

South West Riding Club will now turn their attention to the AIRC National Dressage Championships at Mullingar Equestrian on Sunday, August 17th.

However, it was still a successful day for the Highland Lodge riders, as all of the team riders secured qualification places in their respective individual classes.

Other individual highlights and qualifications also went to other clubs in the region with Finola Craven (Earlswell) placing in the RC N category, Stephanie Marwood (Knocknamanna Country) winning the RC P3 category and Mary Leahy (Kerry) winning the RC P2 Category.

South West Riding Club would like to thank the sponsors of the Team Competition Connolly’s Red Mills, as well as the O’Sullivan family for the use of the venue for the day. The organisers would also like to thank all of the riders and supporters for making it a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, as clubs across the region supported each other throughout the day.