The weather and ground proved a perfect addition to the beautiful backdrop of Benevenagh and the hills of Donegal which made a very picturesque scene for the crowds of spectators and competitors alike who attended this year’s Londonderry and Limavady Agricultural Show.
The show jumping events each had good entries but, with the Horse Sport Ireland young classes being held at the Meadows Equestrian Centre in nearby Lurgan, some competitors took their horses there to jump for the very valuable prizes on offer. While this no doubt took its toll on numbers, the show was well-supported with competitors travelling from as far away as Lusk, Co Dublin and Newry, Co Down.
The ever popular Ballymaloe class, now open to both male and female riders, attracted a good entry. In the ladies section Portadown’s Amy Roberts, on board her mother’s horse Cache D’Or, took the top spot while local rider Kevin Mackey held the top qualifying spot in the men’s section with Richard Hughes’s Some Night. The top riders in the development league, within the same class, were Amy Roberts (children on horses), Ellen McCollum (junior), Niamh Rice and Thomas Compton (young riders).
The pony classes were well-represented with Alana Roulston, riding her mother’s Western Flash, claiming victory in the 90cms class. Amy Robert, who was having an extremely successful day, secured the Farming Life Cup and the Freedom Cup with Glenvar Sparky while Olivia Roulston and Sparkling Apache Gold took the top spot in the 148 pony class.
The ridden hunter classes were well supported with the champion spot going to Suzanna Graham and Judith Hamilton’s Drumlane Suzy with Lyndsey Martin, riding Bartez, claiming the reserve spot.
Jean and Frank Dickey’s two-year-old FSD Louisana picked up the youngstock championship title while the mini pony championship was retained by Erin McCartney and Small Land Checkmate.
The pony working hunter championship was won by Niamh Porter with Payne and Wynn Dixie while the horse working hunter championship was won by a delighted Darryl McKinney on board Ballylin Ben.
Loyal show supporter Nikki Burnham, who partnered Rouissillon Silver Rebel, gave an impressive performance to round off the proceedings and take home the family horse shield.