BOYNESIDE Riding Club proudly hosted the final of the GoTu Trailers AIRC North East Show jumping League on March 22nd at the National Horse Sport Arena. The expertly-designed course, built by Shane Brooks, provided a fitting challenge for competitors, while Gaye Parkinson officiated with her characteristic professionalism. The atmosphere of the day was brilliantly captured through photos, videos and reels by McNicholas Media, ensuring lasting memories for all involved.

Generous support from sponsors added to the occasion: Higginstown House awarded the Best Turned Out prize, selected by Gaye, to Linzi Sullivan (Boyneside RC) and Laura Bell-McKevitt (Ard Lu RC), and MyCheval kindly gifted every competitor a voucher for their app, contributing to a rewarding and celebratory finale to the league.

With a total of 46 entries across all classes, competitors didn’t have too early a start with the first rider entering the arena at 10.30am and all was wrapped up before 2pm. In the clear round newcomers 50cm class, Drynam’s Sabrina Bermingham with Killineck Lady jumped a fantastic round to kick off the day’s competiton. Clear rounds were produced by Finola Clogher (Killolan Grey Mist) from Kilrany RC to take the win in the newcomers 60cm and the host club Boyneside’s Emma Keane on her real-life unicorn Bhinn Sleibhe Charlie Tango won the Graded RC70 class. In the RC70 open class, Meath RC’s Joan Brady and Bobby Dazzler were closest to the optimum time to take the class win. In the RC70 open league standings, Karin O’Hare and Santiago Sky from Boyneside was the overall league winner.

Domination

Drynam riders dominated the RC80 Graded class, with Lee Kelly winning on the day and taking the overall league win with Blue Eyes Baby. Second place in the league and second place on the day went to Drynam’s Megan Fowler and Please the Court and third place in the league went to Jennifer Doyle and Forever Fudge also from Drynam.

In the RC80 open class, Brook Lodge’s Emily Horne on Lux Like a Cruiser took the class win, followed by the ever-popular Thomas (Tommy) McGrane with Castlerea Silver from Ard Lu. Tommy went on to take the league win with Boyneside’s Karin O’Hare taking the second league place.

The RC90 and RC90 open league winner was Castle Hill’s Rebecca Matthews and Benvarden Dakota. Rebecca’s club mate Elaine Mulligan and DMF Alphabet took the win in the RC90 with a speedy round against the clock in 31.44, followed closely by Cheval’s Sandra Hannigan and Yukon Clover in a time of 33.18. Ard Lu’s Tommy McGrane took second in the RC90 league. Rathfarham’s Amy Rafferty on Elina took first in the RC100 with Boyneside’s Linzi Sullivan on Foxcovert Dancingintherain taking second place.

Mullaghmore’s Katie Creegan and the ever-consistent Holiday Izzy took the league wins in both the RC100 open and RC110/R120 classes. On the day, Calliaghstown’s Alan McCormack and Millridge Porthos won both the RC100 open and RC110/RC120 Graded classes, with Katie Creegan taking second in both classes on the day.