Arena Event concludes Lusk's competitions for 2023

Stiff contest for qualifiers for Pony Club Spring Festival at Necarne

Lusk Equestrian (Lisburn) held their postponed Xmas Arena event on Sunday, December 17. The event was also a Qualifier for the Pony Club Spring Festival at Necarne.

The classes were 70cm, 80cm, 90cm and 1m, all over six show jumping fences, which were not timed, followed by 12 cross-country jumps, which were timed; the winner being the combination clear and nearest the optimum time.

Sarah Gilchrist on ‘Hazeldene Mighty Max’ won the 1m class at Lusk’s Arena Event and qualified for the Pony Club Spring Festival at Necarne. PICTURES: courtesy of Martin O’Neill

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There were competitors representing many of the local Pony Clubs, North Down, East Down, Iveagh, Killultagh and Mid-Antrim and, as you can imagine, many were the best of friends, but who forgot that friendship when they entered the ring!

The day started with Sarah Gilchrist and ‘Hazeldene Mighty Max’ winning the metre class for the East Down, while in the 90cm class, East Down girl Charlotte Glen on ‘Paddy Maloney’ were pipped by the smallest margin by local farrier Rory Lavery on ‘Charlie’.

Rory Lavery on ‘Charlie’ won the 90cm class at Lusk’s Arena Event.

In the 80cm class, the pendulum swung in favour of the Pony Club riders, with Charlotte Betts on ‘Frankie’ winning for the Iveagh, beating North Down’s Ellie Donnelly and ‘Sally Star’ by three clear points.

Charlotte Betts on ‘Frankie’ won the 80cm class at Lusk’s Arena Event and qualified for the Pony Club Spring Festival at Necarne.

The final 70cm class went to Heather Steele and ‘Cardi’, the first rider in the class, just two seconds over the optimum time, while Iveagh rider Annabelle Betts and ‘Hacker’ in  second were clear, but so fast they were 12 seconds inside the optimum time!

Heather Steele on ‘Cardi’ on their way to winning the 70cm class at Lusk’s Arena Event.

First and second placings in each class were presented with a chocolate orange covered with a hat knitted by Sarah Whiteside’s mother, what talent!

Lusk’s resident starter Fran Warden was proud to announce that the event had started and  finished on time, as she has done at all the other events throughout the year - great thanks go to Fran for making Lusk events run smoothly and on time.

Organisers were sorry not to have Denise Withers in the  judge’s box, as she was laid up with ‘flu, but hopefully she is soon up and going again.

Aimee Webb on ‘Nala’ came second in the 1m class at Lusk’s Arena Event.

Jenny and Harold thank all the helpers at Lusk Equestrian; Events Director Sarah Whiteside; secretary Gail Davidson; Arena helpers Sharlene Scott and Photographer Marty O’Neill for all their hard work throughout the year.

Lusk’s next event is the Pony and Horse Working Hunter competition on January 28, February 25 and March 25.

Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and a healthy and successful New Year!

RESULTS

Sunday, December 17

Arena Eventing

Class 1 - 1m:

1 (Q) Sarah Gilchrist, Hazeldene Mighty Max; 2) Aimee Webb, Nala.

Class 2 - 90cm:

1) Rory Lavery, Charlie; 2 (Q) Charlotte Glenn, Paddy Maloney; 3 (Q) Eve Lindsay, Arctic Light; 4) James McEvoy, Jones; 5 (Q) Maeve Clarke, Home Alone Archie.
Also Q: Zara Smyth, Tilly; Riona Savage, Knockash Willis; Ella Lindsay, Willow.

Charlotte Glenn on ‘Paddy Maloney’ came second in the 90cm class at Lusk’s Arena Event and qualified for the Pony Club Spring Festival at Necarne.

Class 3 - 80cm:

1 (Q) Charlotte Betts, Frankie; 2 (Q) Ellis Donnelly, Sally Star; 3) Jim McShane, Denzil; 4 (Q) Cara Napier, Midget G; 5 (Q) Cara Hamill, Bella.
Also Q: Harley McKeag, Lady Maureen; Erin Doherty, Consider it Dun.

Ellis Donnelly on ‘Sally Star’ came second in the 80cm class at Lusk’s Arena Event and qualified for the Pony Club Spring Festival at Necarne.

Class 4 - 70cm:

1) Heather Steele, Cardi; 2 (Q) Annabelle Betts, Hacker; 3) Alice Gilmour, Harvey Moon; 4 (Q) Anna Reid, Dubhaileans Bobcat; 5 (Q) Zac Bradley, Susie; 6) Tabitha Cullen, Marley.
Also Q: Emma Morrison, Kaz.

Annabelle Betts on ‘Hacker’ came second in the 70cm class at Lusk’s Arena Event and qualified for the Pony Club Spring Festival at Necarne.

Eve Lindsay on ‘Arctic Light’ came third in the 90cm class at Lusk’s Arena Event and qualified for the Pony Club Spring Festival at Necarne.