Air Ambulance NI benefits from Connell Hill Charity Show
Randalstown event raises the huge sum of £3,700 in support of this brilliant cause
Connell Hill Equestrian Centre in County Antrim opened its doors to over 150 competitors on Saturday, September 28 to raise funds in support of Northern Ireland’s Air Ambulance.
Organised by Lyndon McKee of Lyndon McKee Photography and hosted by the Creighton family of Connell Hill, a staggering £3,700 was raised in support of this brilliant cause from the generosity of competitors, their friends and families, by way of entries, donations, sponsorship and raffle ticket sales. Lyndon McKee would like to thank each and every one, who helped in any way, for their generosity and kindness in making the day such a big success.
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Sponsors
Rosettes sponsored by Ballybeg Rosettes (Sylvia Thompson); MICT (Maze Investigations Compliance and Training Ltd); Yellowfield Stables; Horse and Field; Pinecroft Equestrian; SM Equine; Chip Chip Hooray; Wear it Out, Larne; Antrim Chase; Graham’s Opticians Randalstown; Bellisle Equestrian Store, Coleraine; Clonkeen Equestrain Store, Toomebridge; Ballylurgan Farms (Sam Smyth and family); Island Safety Services, Larne; Heather and Kathryn Knox; Cathie Carson; Ballyboley Inn; Mossgrove Farms (Kilkeel, Co Down).
Charity Raffle Sponsors
Jackson Butchers, Ballynure; Jackson Coffee Shop, Ballynure; Dunamoy Cottages and Spa; Millside Restaurant, Gracehill; Dirraw Farm; Mackenzies Equestrian Centre; THG Grooming; LM Agri; EC Rugs; CS Equestrian; Samantha Hamilton, Equine Services; J’Adore Hair and Beauty.
The opening class saw the day unfold with more than 20 combinations of cross-pole riders setting off in colour and style, jumping round for fun and taking home the rosettes and goodies. Next up in the morning’s excitement, saw all riders presented with rosettes and equine vouchers for their very capable performance in the 50cm class.
The 60cm and 70cm classes took on a whole new meaning, as the number of entries placed in the first two hours realised a target that broke the £1,000 barrier in entry fees alone and must be attributed to the sheer generosity of all competitors, travelling from near and far, who gave up their time to take part in this very worthwhile event.
Against the clock
The 80cm class was hotly contested and saw Anna Welch on ‘Maeve’ collecting the red ribbons for the fastest time of 26.38 seconds overall. Next in line was Carla Dolan on ‘Lady’, taking the prize money for second place, and third went to Helen Forgraves on ‘Chance’. Junior rider Rhianna Wylie, following in big sister Leah’s footsteps, took her place in the winning line up, with a well-deserved fourth place on her pony ‘Bessie’. Fifth place went to Nicky Smith on Jackson and sixth place to local rider Eileen Carlin on her young horse ‘May’.
The 90cm class saw young rider Jolie Dalton cut a super time of 30.89 to take the win on her first mount ‘Melody’ (Wilma Farquhner’s seven-year-old mare), with Maria McNaughton going on to take a close second on ‘Moneybroom Flamingo Boy’ and Leah Wylie with a very credible third place on ‘Shadow’ in a great time of 32.29. Fourth place went to Nicasha Smyth, followed closely by Sarah Keilly on ‘Evie’ and Caitlin O’Kane on her horse ‘Cally’.
The 1m class saw Alana Lavery take the top spot on ‘Lucy’, with young riders Alexandra McConnell and Sarah Bailley battling it out for a super close second and third places in their respective times of 31.08 and 31.18 seconds! Fourth place went to Jessica Mark on ‘Belle’ and Jolie Dalton took her second double clear, putting her into fifth on her own eight-year-old ‘Glenaguile View’ and picking up a well-deserved sixth place was the talented Rhonda Hall with her horse ‘Piper’.
Setting the bar high in the penultimate class of the day, Sophie McKeen took first place in the 1.10m on ‘Kamero’ in a time of 30.81. Hot on her heels was Jodie Creighton partnered with Rachel Whan’s young horse, ‘Olita’, closely followed by Ian Moore on ‘Lamiro’ in a time of 34.72 seconds. Jolie Dalton moved into fourth place on ‘Sweeney’ with her third double clear of the day and Sarah Bailey on ‘Alis’ came in fifth, with Alana Lavery in sixth with another super double clear round on her second mount of the day.
Securing their places in the 1.20m final were winning riders Victoria Thompson on ‘Finn’, Ian Moore on ‘Lamiro’ and Connell Hill’s Jodie Creighton on ‘Olita’.
For their support and generosity in sending extra prizes on the day for the 50cm, 60cm and 70cm classes, Lyndon McKee extends his thanks to Doagh Equestrian for their mini grooming kits and to Colin Richmond for the numnahs, leather reins and a rug for some prize winners. The 1.10m and 1.20m classes were very kindly sponsored by the generosity of Yellowfield Stables in County Antrim, and MICT (Maze Investigations and Compliance Training Limited) respectively.
Thank you also to Sam, David, Margo, Jenna and Patricia from Antrim Chase for their help with running the Charity Show and Antrim Chase members for all their help and support.
Thanks also to Hannah Thompson, Jayne Smyth and Sophie McKeen and Photographer, Rachael Thompson Photography.
All photographs of the Charity Show are available on Lyndon McKee Photography Facebook page with all donations kindly received.
Connell Hill training shows will resume again this Saturday morning starting at 10am. The day starts with the popular cross-poles class (assisted/unassisted), and kindly sponsored by Doagh Equestrian, with all competitors competing in this class to receive lovely colourful rosettes just for taking part.
Classes run from cross-poles up to 1.20/1.30m; entries on the day £12.
All details can be found on Gillian Creighton or Connell Hill Facebook Pages.
Come and join us this Saturday - everyone is very welcome!
RESULTS
Saturday, September 28
CHARITY SHOW
Cross-Poles:
Lucy Maybin, Wait with Pickle; Sorcha Maher, Angel; Anna Palmer, Smoke; Ruby Mercer, Alfie; Mia Connor, Syion Ash; Ruby Gage, Poppy; Lacie Nicholl, Lilly; Ruby Will, Ben; Amilia Forbes, Bobo; Thomas Forbes, George; Aria Gordon, Lilly; Jessica Park, Princess Sally; Robin Park, Cooper; Heidi Gordon, Lilly; Ruby Gage, Poppy; Ella McGlinchey, Louis; Ruby Will, Rocco; Maisie Wallace, Lucy; Adalyn Wallace, Lilly; Evie McCloskey, Poker; Nora Swann, Ben; Evie McCloskey, Poker.
50cm:
Amilia Forbes, Bobo; Oliver McGlinchey, Louie; Rebecca Milligan, Leo; Eva O’Melvena, Jimmy; Lucy Gillespie, Frazer; Jessica Park, Princess Sally; Robin Park, Cooper.
60cm:
Samantha Hamilton, Zuri; Nick Moffett, Harvey; Oliver McGlinchey, Rosie; Emma Gallagher, Elsa; Grainne McKeever, Seamus; Megan McKay, Mooney; Sharon Kirkpatrick, Blue; Holly Hamill, Big Eagle; Hannah Hill, Ami; Anna Welch, Tammy; Sophie Welch, Tammy.
70cm:
Oliver McGlinchey, Rosie; Bree Rutledge, Jewel; Joe Harding, Ash; Kim Fields, Milo; Emma Gallagher, Elsa; Grainne McKeever, Seamus; Ursula Gettings, Lucky; Megan McKay, Lilly; Leah McCord, Tilly; John McKirgan, Dolly; Jenna Houston, Casper; Sophie Welch, Maeve; Cathy Carson, Ruby; Alana McKeen, Indie; Anthea Moffet, Pablo; Carla Dolan, Carly; Carla Dolan, Lady; Irene McGookin, Jasper; Helen Forgrave, Chance; Lucy McMullan, Barney; Brooke Lavery, Betty Blue; Carragh McLarnon, Clover; Katrina Martin, Ollie; Caitlyn McFadden, Illegally Blonde; Sharon Kilpatrick, Blue.
80cm:
1) Anna Welch, Maeve; 2) Carla Dolan, Lady; 3) Helen Forgrave, Chance; 4) Rihanna Wylie, Bessie; 5) Nicky Smith, Jackson; 6) Eileen Carlin, May.
Christopher Smith, Oreo; Angela Penman, Lysetole; Mark McCord, Piper; Maisie Lyons, Timmy; Joanne Lyons, Sky; Carine Fullerton, Layla; Ben Foster, Mic; Melanie Moorhead, Little Miss Elle; Joe Harding, Ash; Ursula Gettings, Lucky; Ruby Hitchenor, Misty; Naeve McNaughton, Derrycross; Sophie Weir, Vromy; James McKeen, Indie; Caitlin Foster, Ziggy; Lucy McMullan, Barney; Emma Gaston, Dora, Aileen Feeney, Ginger; Carla Dolan, Carly; Holly Surgeoner, Dutchess.
90cm:
1) Jolie Dalton, Melody; 2) Maria McNaughton, Moneybroom Flamingo Boy; 3) Leah Wylie, Shadow; 4) Nicasha Smyth; 6) Sarah Keilly, Evie; 6) Caitlin O’Kane, Cally.
Emma Gaston, Dora; Courtney Lynn, Flicka; Mia McClean, Jazz; Amy Lee Harvey, Arthur; Joanne Lyons, Sky; Eileen Carlin, May; Caitlin Foster, Ziggy; Alex Robinson, Dream; Caitlin McCullough, Kizzy; Robin McFadden, Zephyr,
1m:
1) Alana Lavery, Lucy; 2) Andrea McConnell, Bert; 3) Sarah Baillie, Mia; 4) Jessica Mark, Bell; 5) Jolie Dalton, Sweeney; 6) Rhonda Hall, Piper.
Laura Clockworthy, Chippy; Laura Clotworthy, Alfie; Charlie Henry McCool, Scrumpy; Courtney Lynn, Flicka; Jolie Dalton, Melody; Carine Fullerton, Sully; Caitlin McCullough, Kizzy; Caitlin O’Kane, Callie; Christopher Smith, Fly; Sarah Keilly, Evie; Mia Morrison, Reeva; Felicity McConnell, Merlo; Karen Fleck, Franko; Stephen Darragh, SDS Tilly; Jamie Lee Mark, Teddy.
1.10m:
1) Sophie McKeen, Kamero; 2) Jodie Creighton, Olita; 3) Ian Moore, Lamiro; 4) Jolie Dalton, Sweeney; 5) Sarah Baillie, Alis; 6) Alana Lavery, Poppy.
Christopher Smyth, Jess; Robin McFadden, Piper; Mia Morrison, Reeva; Felicity McConnell; Hanna Thompson, Kelly; Jodie Creighton, Goldie; Victoria Thompson, Finn; Karen Fleck, Franko.
1.20m:
1) Victoria Thompson, Finn; 2) Ian Moore, Lamiro; 3) Jodie Creighton, Olita.
