A first for many at Hagans Croft Working Hunter
Sun shone on competitors on Saturday before Storm Ashley descended on Sunday
The sun came out on Saturday, October 19, just before Storm Ashley descended upon most counties. This sunshine was much to the delight of all the competitors and spectators heading to Hagans Croft Equestrian for the third week of their five-week Working Hunter league and NIF Qualifiers.
The day started out with an earlier start time of 9.30am with the horse classes. Everything was on offer from the 60cm and four-year-old class up to the 1m Working Hunter horse class.
Hello and welcome to Horse&Field. Our aim is to support local, grass roots equestrian enthusiasts and competitors and keep you all informed of what’s happening in the horsey world, as well as covering all things agricultural. If you haven’t already subscribed you can do so below:
The day was memorable for quite a few individuals, including Louise Reid and 'Stella', who won the 60cm four-year-old class. This was a first of many for ‘Stella’… first time on a horse box, first time in a warm up, first time competing and to place first on their first ever outing is a very exciting prospect of what is to come for this little mare and testament to Louise for all her hard work getting to this point!
Helen Barbour's hard work over the past couple of weeks’ Working Hunter shows has paid off, with her and 'Sparkling Boom's Clover' taking the win in the 70cm class - this has set them in good stead for league placings.
Michaela Glass and 'Lurganbane Sally' had a standout performance in the 80cm class, where the pair took the win and then went on to capture the judge’s eye in the championship class to be awarded Reserve Champion on the day. Michaela was delighted to say the least and organisers would encourage them to go on to enter NIF and aim towards this prestigious competition in 2025.
It was Jessica Byrnes and 'Carryon Platinums Edition's' first ever Working Hunter competition together and they certainly made their mark on the 85cm Small Hunter class, where they claimed the first place ribbon. Hopefully, this will encourage them to take part in Hagans Croft's league for the remaining two weeks.
Once again, Megan Norton had a successful day, winning the 90cm class and going on to claim the title of Champion Horse on the day. Organisers look forward to see how they get on during the rest of the league, as they are proving to be on winning form.
Katie Creegan and 'Holiday Izzy' had another successful week in the 1m class, taking the win for a second week in a row! Well done!
The afternoon saw the ponies take on the challenging course of rustic fences. A huge cheer and round of applause could be heard from outside the arena, when Connie Watt and 'Ballyrainey Jack' won the 60cm class. The pair scored highly for their manners and performance in both their jumping and ridden show phase and top marks for their tack and turnout, giving them an overall score of 92/100! Well done!
Holly Webber took over the ride of her mum's horse for the day and it looks like she may not be getting 'Sim' back any time soon. The pair achieved a lovely clear round and took home the first place ribbon in the 70cm class!
Katie Annett and 'Illane Duke' took first place in the 80cm class, which granted them access to the championship class, where the pair walk, trotted, cantered and galloped their way to be awarded Champion Pony on the day. Reserve Champion Pony went to Julia Kerr and 'Tyssul Quartz' - what an achievement for this pair, as they are only at the beginning of their partnership together! Hagans Croft looks forward to being a part of their journey together and seeing what the future holds.
Taylor Ferguson and 'Corglass Sandra' bagged first place in both the 90cm and 1m classes on the day and it was lovely to see this pair jumping these higher heights so successfully.
Hagans Croft would like to thank everyone who supported the third leg of their five-week working hunter league and NIF qualifiers. This league is made possible with the following people’s help: judge Connor O'Hare and scribe Katie. Thanks also to Black Horse Photography for covering the event. All photographs can be viewed and purchased from the Black Horse Photography website.
This league runs every Saturday until November 2 and is open to everyone, especially those wanting to qualify for the NI Festival at Cavan. Entries are via Hagans Croft’s website www.haganscroftequestrian.co.uk or you can also enter via the Hagans Croft App. Entries close each Thursday at 9pm and times are posted late on Thursday evening.
To qualify for the final in week four, each horse/ pony and rider combination must compete in three out of the four weeks and within the same class. Competitors must compete in the final to be eligible for league placings, prizes and the overall league horse and pony Working Hunter Champion and Reserve Champion. Placings will be based on a points system. The final is open to everyone with a separate prize giving taking place for competitors on the day and league competitors.
To find out more about the league, please contact Gillian on 07849 106453 or go to the website: www.haganscroftequestrian.co.uk
RESULTS
Saturday, October 19
Working Hunter League & NIF Qualifiers
WORKING HUNTER HORSES
Champion Working Hunter Horse: Megan Norton, BT Rock and Roller; Reserve: Michaela Glass, Lurganbane Sally.
Class 1 - 60cm Working Hunter Horse & Four-year-old Working Hunter Horse NIF:
1) Louise Reid, Stella; 2) Victoria Graham, Lady; 3) Grace Harney, Kylestone Diamond Lass; 4) Willie Irvine, Willow; 5) Holly McCandless, Sir Max.
Class 2 - 70cm Working Hunter Horse:
1) Helen Barbour, Sparkling Boom's Clover; 2) Claire Mackay, Crannard King of Hearts; 3) Willie Irvine, Willow; 4) Rachel Baird, Reuben; 5) Rachel Baird, Lee; 6) Alex Greer, Phoenix Spark; 7) Sarah McPolin, Rebel.
Class 3 - 80cm Working Hunter Horse NIF:
1) Michaela Glass, Lurganbane Sally; 2) Marina Stewart, Troy; 3) Emily Jayne McPolin, Honey; 4) Helen Barbour, Sparkling Boom's Clover; 5) Rachel Baird, Lee; 6) Joanna Tarasewicz, Prince Harry Trotter; 7) Rachel Baird, Reuben.
Class 4 - 85cm Small Working Hunter Horse (not exceeding 158cm) NIF:
1) Jessica Byrne, Carryon Platinums Edition; 2) Joanna Tarasewicz, Prince Harry Trotter; 3) Leah Chambers, Clooniereen Silver Knight.
Class 5 - 90cm Working Hunter Horse NIF:
1) Megan Norton, BT Rock and Roller; 2) Katie Creegan, Holiday Izzy.
Class 7 - 1m Working Hunter Horse NIF:
1) Katie Creegan, Hoilday Izzy; 2) Megan McCombe, Sid.
WORKING HUNTER PONIES
Champion Working Hunter Pony: Katie Annett, Illane Duke; Reserve: Julia Kerr, Tyssul Quartz.
Class 8 - 60cm Working Hunter Pony NIF Starter Stakes & M&M:
1) Connie Watt, Ballyrainey Jack; 2) Julia Kerr, Tyssul Quartz; 3) Julia Kerr, Cheerna; 4) Alex Hemsley, Calypso; 5) Alex Hemsley, Enzo; 6) Aoife McBratney, Parker.
Class 9 - 70cm Working Hunter Pony NIF Starter Stakes & M&M:
1) Holly Webber, Sim; 2) Sophia McKay, Knowehead Belle; 3) Alex Hemsley, Calypso.
Class 10 - 80cm Working Hunter Pony NIF 133cm also M&M:
1) Katie Annett, Illane Duke; 2) Violet Campbell, Mourne Maverick; 3) Sophia McKay, Knowehead Belle; 4) Emily Adamson, Little Squire.
Class 11 - 90cm Working Hunter Pony NIF 143cm also M&M:
1) Taylor Ferguson, Corglass Sandra.
Class 12 - 1m Working Hunter Pony NIF 153cm:
1) Taylor Ferguson, Corglass Sandra.