THE weather gods smiled on Raheen na Gun for the competitors contesting the Autumn Dressage and Combined Training League Final when forecasted rain held off well and the 131 runners managed to complete dry and in good style.

Irish-bred ponies dominated the dressage with the First Ridden Dressage League won by Hannah O’Keeffe on Kerry-bred Valmore Muskadet from her sister Sophie, however it was Sophie that won on the final day with a score of 76.19%. The Intro B league was won by Imogen Lawless Greene on the four-year-old Cork-bred Hedgefield Enchantment, with Ethan Hogan Eyre on Tipperary-bred pony Goldengrove Merlyn taking the final win with a score of 80.29%.

The DI 26 league was won by Ellis Kennedy on Joey, however the consistent June Flight with Marie Louise Nolan on board just got the day with less than a point between them. The BD 34 class league winner was Lucy Austin on Scorcher Babe who also won the final.

In the Elementary section DI E46, Keelan Lynch on Harley was equal winner with Lannah Kent on PLS Shannon, however it was Annika Rohrssen on Stan who took the win on the day. Marie Claire Van Hout on Montalbano won both the league and final in the DI Medium 26 class.

The very well-supported DIP5 Class league winner was the pony combination of Aoife Brennan and Goldengrove Sunrise with a huge score of 70 points, on the day there was joint first place on a score of 76.9% with equal collectives between Fidelma Curran on Ballyadam Phillip and Patricia Lawlor on Indy.

Combined Training

The Combined Training started off with the A Transport lead rein competitors with three straight wins. Maeve Griffin on Whitegates Rusty took the honours here in the league and the final, the 40cms league was won by Lucy Sayers on Hillsbrook Lady. However, the Cork-bred Muskerry Rolo and John Doolan took the win on the day.

Three points

Lucy Willoughby and Nutmeg got the 50cm Combined Training League and also won on the day by three points. The 60cm Ballon Shavings League was won by Chantal Whitehead on S’prit de la Forge, Andy Kennedy and Caspar the Ghost taking awards on the final day.

Equine Warehouse were the very welcome sponsors of the 70cm Combined Training and the league in this section went to Anne Doyle on Huntingtown but on the day Emily Flavin Redmond and Single Pringle scooped the honours.

PC Raceware Collection and a Little Bit Racey sponsored the well-supported 80cm Combined Training where Lucy Doyle on the attractive New Forest pony Who’s Jardin B took the league and also the final win.

Brandon Plant were the kind sponsors of the popular 90cm combined training, the league was won by local young rider Aisling Malone on the 133cm Mr O’Malley against many adult competitors. On the final day, this competition was split into two sections due to the large entry, Section A was won by Andrew Walsh on Battlestown Delight and such was the high standard of competition here that the league winner in eighth place was only beaten by three points.

Section B was won by Lilly Larkin on Nancy finishing on their dressage score of 20.75. Plusvital sponsored the one-metre event with Romy McCarthy and Orza taking the league and also the final competition.

Gain Equine Nutrition sponsored the 1.05m class with Sharon Power on Toby taking the honours in the league, however Eliza Kavanagh on Whitetree Sky prevailed on the day. Keelin McCarthy on Kane took the Equisentials 1.10cm League and also the final. The 1.20cm final and league was won by Polly Holohan and her lovely Ballinmertina Brigade.

The Hancock family sponsored a new element with Tiggy’s Trust offering some beautiful prizes, all with a yellow touch for promising riders. There were three close contenders for this with Keelin McCarthy and Kane getting the nod eventually with Aisling Malone on O’Malley and Hazel Barden with Paddy Jo breathing hard down his neck. Many thanks to the Hancock family who have been closely involved with this league for many years.

Valuable experience

The very large entries every week shows that this type of league has huge value to competitors of all ages and disciplines to bring on new ponies and horses, cement new combinations and prepare for showing, eventing, dressage and show jumping. The task of managing these entries at this lovely facility was very well executed by Raheen’s Ger O’Brien and his team.

It is also interesting to note that at this event children can and do compete equally with adults and having the chance to compete regularly during the off season is producing some very exciting young riders for the future.