CASTLE Leslie Riding Club hosted the second leg of the Equipet/North East Region winter show jumping league last Sunday and did so very efficiently despite the obstacles they faced.

First of all, due to building work at their Co Monaghan base, the club had to move their qualifier this year out of the castle grounds to Kernans EC in Crossmaglen. There, organisers spent some time on Saturday discussing with centre owner and course builder James Kernan if the show could go ahead the following day as the outdoor arena, which was to be used for warming-up, was quite frozen.

For the show to proceed, it was decided to have the warm-up indoors as well and, while this meant delays for those competing and a very long day for the organisers, plus judge Heather Camblin, riders were very understanding and appreciative of the efforts made to hold the show. The availability of hot food was a bonus!

Winners are always pleased when events under threat of being postponed or cancelled get the go-ahead so five riders were particularly delighted that Sunday’s show was given the green light.

These included Rachel Muldoon who followed up her Advanced Intermediate success at Broadmeadow seven days previously when stopping the clock on 32.21 with Ballymotey Carla Vision, again beating Border Counties’ Aaron Evans into second with Killmarley Sunny Jim (32.98).

Muldoon only joined Tara Hill Riding Club this year having previously been a member of the Meath Pony Club. The 17-year-old Leaving Certificate student at O’Carolan College, Nobber hopes to study Agricultural Science at Dundalk and so is concentrating on her studies at present. She is very fortunate that during the week Ballymotey Carla Vision, a 10-year-old bay mare by Classic Vision, is looked after by her grandmother Nuala, her mother Susan and her stepfather Kieran Clooney.

Cheval’s Sandra Hannigan and Pamela Moffett of Mullaghmore, who had finished first and second in the Intermediate class at Broadmeadow on Yukon Rosie and Golden Bready respectively, again filled the top two places on Sunday but, on this occasion, in reverse order.

Hannigan clocked up a good time of 32.03 with her 15-year-old Connemara mare but Moffett was in no mood to be denied and was home clear in 30.54 with Golden Bready on whom she also competes under Show Jumping Ireland rules.

Another Connemara mare, this eight-year-old by Templebready Fear Bui was bred by John McCarthy out of Corrohoe Judy (by Song Of Freedom).

WINNING DEBUT

Paula Dowling, who joined Drynam this year, made a successful league debut in the Advanced Primary class, stopping the clock .96 of a second under the optimum time with the Irish Draught Lottie who was also competing in the league for the first time. Second place here (+1.73) went to the Broadmeadow winner, Castle Hill’s Oliva Nolan on Bridgemount Eskert Lilly.

A veterinary nurse currently working in men’s fashion, Dowling shares the ride on the mare with owner Roisin Madigan.

Lottie, who is registered as Rebel Countess, is a nine-year-old by Rosheen Yeats and was bred in Co Wicklow by Mary Byrne out of Bella Arabella (by Kildalton Gold).

Frances McLoughlin, a member of the Ard Lú club, claimed the honours in the Primary division when just .85 of a second outside the optimum time. Castle Hill’s Sarah Malone finished second on Jinx GC (+1.59) with a quartet of riders representing Border Counties filling the next four placings.

McLoughlin, who runs her own hair salon outside Armagh city, rode her 12-year-old skewbald mare Sadie.

The League continues tomorrow at the Cloncaw Equestrian Centre, Glaslough – home of the Border Counties Club – and, on Sunday next, at Ravensdale Lodge where the round will be hosted by Ard Lú.

Cheval is also running a series of jumping shows on Saturdays at its grounds in Jordanstown, Oldtown. These shows are open to all.