Action-packed Derby at Connell Hill

Pony Club Arena Eventing qualifiers held alongside Derby classes

Despite a stormy start to the day, a good number of competitors turned out for the Connell Hill Derby and Pony Club ‘Barrier Spring Festival Arena Eventing’ Qualifiers on Wednesday, December 27. A challenging course and range of fences made for an action-packed event under the watchful eye of course designer, Mr William Crean.

Kym Moore did a Derby double, winning the 1m Pony Club qualifier with ‘Drumcashel Little Legend’ and the 1.10m class with ‘Lily’ at Connell Hill. PICTURES: courtesy of Lyndon McKee

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All classes were timed and well navigated by each and every combination, who put their best foot forward in taking away both Connell Hill Derby prizes and Pony Club qualifications for the Barrier Spring Festival in 2024.

The 60cm class saw Abbie Chambers take first place on ‘Kungfu Spartacus’, closely pursued by Zac Bradley riding ‘Susie’ in second and Sophie Weir on ‘Joey’ in third taking home the prizes. There was more success for Zac Bradley in the 70cm class, where he took a close second place to winning rider Anna McCaig on ‘Harley’.

Abbie Chambers and ‘Kungfu Spartacus’ also did the double, winning both the 60cm and 70cm classes at the Connell Hill Derby.

The Pony Club Qualifiers kicked off with the 70cm class and saw another worthy win for Abbie Chambers taking first place with the best time overall. Christopher Smyth impressed to qualify twice, with a double win in both the 80cm and 90cm classes on his two mounts, ‘Summer Power’ and ‘Ballylurgan Holdup’. Clearing the way ahead to the Spring Festival saw Jessica Mark qualify her two mounts in the 90cm class, with a close second to Christopher Smyth riding ‘Belle’ and also taking fourth place on her second mount of the day, ‘Greena Milo’. Samantha Talbot and ‘Kaher Enda Quality’ separated them in third place.

In the Connell Hill Derby classes, Sophie McKee rode into first place in both the 90cm and 1m classes, while Kym Moore made big tracks on her three rides, having multiple successes in the 1m and 1.10m classes, securing her ticket to qualify for the Arena Eventing and taking home the top derby prizes for Connell Hill’s penultimate and closing classes of the day!

Sophie McKee and ‘Pinecroft Kimiro’ won both the 90cm and 1m classes at the Connell Hill Derby.

To all the competitors, grooms, sponsors, organisers and each and every one who supported Connell Hill Events throughout 2023 – THANK YOU! Organisers look forward to an exciting 2024 and wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year! Keep an eye on the Connell Hill / Gillian Creighton Facebook pages for details of all upcoming events starting in January 2024.

RESULTS

Wednesday, December 27

Derby and Pony Club ‘Barrier Spring Festival Arena Eventing’ Qualifiers

60cm Class Connell Hill Derby:

1) Abbie Chambers, Kungfu Spartacus; 2) Zac Bradley, Susie; 3) Sophie Weir, Joey.

70cm Class Connell Hill Derby:

1) Anna McCaig, Harley; 2) Zac Bradley, Susie; 3) CJ O’Brien, Cool Garrande Candy Pops.

70cm Barrier Animal Health Spring Festival Pony Club Qualifier:

1) Abbie Chambers, Kungfu Spartacus; 2) Katie Surgenor, DS Ebony Boy; 3) Lucy Kirkwood, Dominoes Way; 4) Ava Wickie, Fizz Bomb.

Jessica Finlay, Rosie; Charlotte Rose McCullough, Loughdoo Luna May; Ericka Dixon, Woodlands Wonder; Sophie Weir, Joey.

80cm Class Connell Hill Derby:

1) Victoria Grieves, Tom; 2) Kate Spence, Springburn Cobrella.

80cm Barrier Animal Health Spring Festival Pony Club Qualifier:

1) Christopher Smyth, Summer Power; 2) Amy Lee Hanvey, Arthur; 3) Sam Staats Howard, Sam; 4) Holly Logan, Owen Shadow.

Lucy Rooney, Donegreah Rosanna; Lucy Kirkwood, Dominoes Way; Heather George, Jenson; Laura Dale, J Bot; Carla Dolan, Gypsy Lady; Sophie McKee, Pinecroft Kimiro.

Christopher Smyth and ‘Summer Power’ won the 80cm Pony Club qualifier at the Connell Hill Derby.

90cm Class Connell Hill Derby:

1) Sophie McKee, Pinecroft Kimiro; 2) Keith McDonald, Springburn Shutterfly; 3) Erin Dunseath, Casey.

90cm Barrier Animal Health Spring Festival Pony Club Qualifier:

1) Christopher Smyth, Ballylurgan Holdup; 2) Jessica Mark, Belle; 3) Samantha Talbot, Kaher Enda Quality; 4) Jessica Mark, Greena Milo; 5) Holly Logan, Owen Shadow.

Samantha Talbot, Enda; Lucy Rooney, Donegreah Rosanna; Sophia George, Davinci; Christopher Smyth, Jess.

1m Class Connell Hill Derby:

1) Sophie McKee, Pinecroft Kimiro; 2) Aine Clancy, Bowes Elevator.

1m Class Barrier Animal Health Spring Festival Pony Club Qualifier:

1) Kym Moore, Drumcashel Little Legend.

1.10m Class Connell Hill Derby:

1) Kym Moore, Lily 83.22; 2) Kym Moore, Lucy 83.58; 3) Amie Clancy, Bowes Elevator.

Kym Moore receiving her rosettes from Gillian Creighton for taking a one-two… She secured first and second places in the 1.10m class at the Connell Hill Derby.