THE Barrow Valley Riding Club Summer Show was hosted at Carrigbeg Riding Stables, by kind permission of Susan Patterson, last Sunday with 43 dressage and 50 show jumping competitors. John O’Dwyer (Thomastown) took on the first centre line of the day, riding My Oscar Wild to a third-place finish as the top two placings for the RC P1 class went to the host club’s own members. First spot went to Jacqueline Kellet-Bevan, riding Macroney Sue, on a score of 69.81% to secure the lead over Amanda Sheehan and Ballyteague Girl, on their debut competition, in second place.
The RCP1 Open turned out to be a head-to-head between Barrow Valley and Horetown. Jacqueline Kellet-Bevan’s winning form continued as she claimed her second red of the day, leaving Elaine Howlin riding My Blessington Lucky Clover in second place.
The biggest class of the day was the RCP2 and Isobelle Gould and Foxy Furisto’s performance put them into first place on a score of 72.32% for Barrow Valley RC, closely followed by fellow club member Ann Murray riding Blakehill Columbo in second place. Third went to Anne McGrath (Warrington) on Mahanagh Heather. The Ballycanew club took the red in the RC Young Horse class, as Jennifer French guided Leia to a 69.82% score to seal the win, ahead of Niamh Roche (Barrow Valley) riding Banaglen Beau in second and Geraldine Leete (Russellstown) on Bennekerry.
The RCP2 Open class saw another one-two finish for Barrow Valley for a third time, as two members tied on 74.11%, the highest achieved score of the day. Collective marks decided the winner, giving the red to Margaret Byrne riding MHS Brillio, while earlier winner Isobelle Gould took the blue. Jennifer French (Ballycanew) added the third-place rosette to her earlier success. A judge change saw Susan Patterson take over before the RCP3 class got underway. Vanessa Dooley (Thomastown) riding the eye-catching chesnut mare Georgetown Princess impressed to win on 66.54%, with host club member Harry Doran riding Jackson taking second and Ruth Gibbons (Nuenna Farm) securing third.
The final two classes of the day turned out to be hotly-contested competition between the host club’s own members. In the RCP3 Open, Keith Smith with Springsteen scored 66.73% to take the lead, ahead of Harry Doran securing his second blue ribbon of the day. Valerie Crean riding Samona danced into third. The RCN class rounded off the dressage, with Caoilfhionn Stoiri exceptionally busy riding two horses. Ballymakea Gamble led the way on 66.54%, followed by her second mount Macimor R. Bridget Hearne, making her debut with the full Irish Draught grey gelding Paddy, secured third.
Show jumping
The show jumping got underway under the watchful eye of judge Rory O’Sullivan-Hennessy. It was great to see a large entry for the Newcomers class, which was won by Dympna Gibbons (Nuenna Farm) riding Yorky to a clear round, finishing within four-hundredths of a second of the optimum time.
Barrow Valley members on their debut for the club followed, as second went to Bridget Hearne riding Paddy and Ballyteague Girl, this time piloted by Michelle Moloney, claimed third. A quick course height adjustment followed prior to the RC70 Open commencing. Greenvalley member Martina Mulligan clocked up the closest to the optimum time of 47 seconds on a clear to take pole position. Barrow Valley members again secured second and third, Patricia Fisher on her newly-acquired five-year-old steed Loki finished ahead of Isobelle Gould riding Foxy Furisto.
The next class up was the RC80, which was won by host club member Caoilfhionn Stoiri riding Ballymakea Gamble, who was a sure bet to win with a clear round just under the optimum time of 43 seconds. Thomastown riders took the next two placings, Edwina Dooley riding Ridgecross New Arrival placed second and Margaret Bolger on Inbhear Lady Lauren took third. In the RC80 Open, Edwina Dooley (Thomastown), secured a second double clear, this time adding the red to her earlier success, while Martina Mulligan (Greenvalley) added a blue to her earlier victory. Barrow Valley member Patrick Byrne riding Macimor R rounded out the top three.
Clear rounds were hard to come by in the RC90 class, with only two achieved. Stephanie Hoyne (Thomastown) riding Midnight Mischa stopped the clock in a time of 38.55 seconds to take the lead over Patrick Byrne and Macimor R on their debut to this height, who had also finished clear of jumping faults. Third went to Faith Morris riding Lachstone Abbey giving Thomastown a first and third place finish. Thomastown continued their winning form, as Gillian Cody jumped to the top of the podium in the RC90 Open, ahead of Joy Ffrench (Carne) on Lily’s Rose.
It was an impressive win for Mary Hickey (Barrow Valley) in the RC100, as Seabanks Pappen Boy stopped the clock in the fastest time to have more than a five-second advantage over Joy Ffrench (Carne) on Lily’s Rose to take their second blue rosette of the day. Stephanie Hoyne (Thomastown) on Midnight Mischa added a third place to her earlier victory. The final class of the day, the RC100 Open, was won by Jennifer French (Ballycanew), having jumped clear, she took the lead over Mary Hickey (Barrow Valley) on Seabanks Pappen Boy. Next week the riding club fun continues, as Ballycanew Riding Club are due to host a cross-jump event at Frankfort Stud.