Dressage training camp

FOLLOWING the hustle and bustle of the Barrier Animal Health Spring Festival for Area 17 Pony Club members at Castle Irvine, Necarne last Saturday and Sunday, the Co Fermanagh estate is the venue this weekend of a Dressage Ireland training camp which should be a lot quieter.

Five coaches are delivering training both days while there will be a rider-balance session for an hour today and tomorrow and a sports psychology session from 5pm to 6pm this afternoon. Clare Maria Campbell will be on site over the weekend for private physiotherapy sessions for horses and/or riders.

On Saturday and Sunday next, May 10th and 11th, seven coaches will deliver training at the Fell family’s busy Co Cork venue, Ballindenisk. There will be an hour’s yoga for horse riders between noon and 1pm both days while attendees will have the choice between two hour-long sessions of sports psychology on Saturday.

Home Nations competition

GIVEN how much Dressage Ireland members enjoyed last year’s senior riders’ Home Nations competition, it wasn’t a surprise to learn that there was a great response when DI advertised for expressions of interest for this summer’s renewal.

At this stage, a good bit of interest has also been shown in the Youths’ competition but a lot less in the Para competition. However, DI are still accepting expressions of interest for all three so the numbers might well increase across the board.

The Home Nations’ dates and venues are – July 4th and 5th, Onley Grounds, Warwickshire (Para), August 2nd and 3rd, Vale View Equestrian, Leicestershire (Youths) and September 6th and 7th, Chard Equestrian, Somerset (Seniors). Full details regarding qualification criteria, the selection process, etc, can be found under ‘Training’ on the DI website.

South Munster summer league

THE opening leg of the South Munster Region’s O’Brien’s midweek summer league was due to take place on Thursday of this week at Ballindenisk Equestrian where the first riders were to commence their tests at 3pm.

The other dates and venues are May 22nd at Maryville Stables, June 12th at Skevanish Equestrian Centre and June 26th at Skevanish – all Thursdays. As numbers will be capped, riders are advised to get their entries in early. The final will be held at Ballindenisk on Saturday, July 12th.

The North Munster Region is holding a show next Saturday, May 10th, at Garranemore Equestrian for which the entries close on Tuesday.