THE Midland and Western Region’s second show of the year was held last Sunday at Annaharvey Farm where the Deverell family’s recent extension to their outdoor arena saw the Co Offaly venue offer competitions in a long arena on sand for the first time.

“We were delighted to have so many local riders competing but were also pleased that other riders travelled over three hours to the show,” said organiser Aisling Deverell mid-week. “I have had several riders email since Sunday, thanking us for such a friendly, well organised show – it’s always nice to get positive feedback – and a huge credit to all the volunteer stewards helping us on the day. I’m fortunate to have a great team working behind the scenes.”

The only score over 70% in the three-runner Elementary DI56A was recorded by the home-based Maeve Deverell on Annaharvey Dunowen (70.16) with whom she also topped the leaderboard in the second Elementary class (DI55) on 67.32.

Maeve is delighted to have been selected for Horse Sport Ireland’s dressage high performance children on horses squad with Annaharvey Dunowen, a nine-year-old dun Radoin gelding who was bred by her grandfather, Henry Deverell.

Winning double

Following a two-year break from action, Nessa Toher Shannon won both Advanced Medium classes with her ISH mare Furst Fendi, a nine-year-old by Furstenball on whom she was delighted to achieve qualifying scores for DI’s winter finals. Northern Region member Lana Cheney posted the highest Medium score (65.15) with her Belgian Warmblood gelding Confession Z, an 11-year-old bay by Clarence C.

Sinéad Heffernan had mixed luck at Novice level with her Irish Draught gelding, Liskillen Grey Mist. She and her 18-year-old grey by Dunkerrin Grey Mist scored 66.03 to beat their sole rivals, Shauna Hughes and Tierhogar Seve (62.76), in the DI27A but, in the DI24A, they had to settle for third on 59.67 behind Eilis Kennedy on Joey Joseph (67.17) and Hughes and her 12-year-old Connemara gelding (63). Kennedy, who is a member of the South East Region, only began competing her 11-year-old grey cob in affiliated competitions in May last year.

Falkhede claims win

There were three Preliminary classes on Sunday.

In the DI4, the honours went to Matilda Falkhede riding her ISH gelding Darrara Shanbeg (73.8), a 13-year-old bay by VDL Arkansas. In the DI8, Falkhede and Darrara Shanbeg achieved a score of 70% which saw them narrowly beaten into second by Niamh Mahon with her 20-year-old ISH gelding Royal Ark (70.58), who is also a son of VDL Arkansas.

Mahon and Royal Arkir also topped the leaderboard on 73.96 in the DI18 where their closest pursuers were again Falkhede and Darrara Shanbeg (72.71).

Sophie Mahon won the three-runner DI Introductory class on Pete Moss (71.94).

Meawhile, action in the Midland and Western Region continues tomorrow (Sunday) at the Ower Equestrian Centre in Co Galway.