Business as normal at Flexi Eventing

Competitors take the opportunity to train in a proper competition environment

The snow and ice may have reduced the numbers of competitors on Saturday, but it certainly did not stop play for Week 2 of the Bailey’s Horse Feeds Flexi Eventing at The Meadows Equestrian Centre, Lurgan.

Sadly, a number of enthusiastic entrants had to make the decision to withdraw, as frozen conditions in yards and laneways made the journey impossible and safety must always be first and foremost.

Katie McKee and ‘Bear’, winners of the Intro A Dressage at week two of the Flexi Eventing. PICTURES: courtesy of Tori O’Connor

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However, for those not affected by the glacial conditions, it was another great training opportunity in a setting which replicates a proper competition environment, with flowers in the arenas, banners surrounding the arenas, music transmitted across all disciplines etc.

Once again, the emphasis was on the Intro classes, which required a two-way split. Topping the ‘A’ section, judged by Lucinda Webb-Graham, was law student, Katie McKee, with a score of 75%, riding her skewbald gelding, ‘Bear’ (Water Paint). This combination is continuing the great form they displayed in the latter part of last season, which included a win in the EI90 class at a heavily subscribed Tullymurry 2. They also picked up a fifth place in the Pre-Novice class. Second place and also scoring consistently above the 70 mark, was Drumbo schoolgirl, Zara Reid with ‘Greylands Diamond Girl’. This is a partnership ‘made in heaven’ and one we are privileged to watch, as they go from strength to strength.

The ‘B’ section this week was judged by Penny Sangster, who awarded her top mark of 78.5% to the experienced combination of Kaitie McCann and ‘Boyher Cookies N Crème’, who enjoyed back to back victories, adding another seven points to their tally in the League. A delighted Marina Stewart took second place with ‘Troy’, in only his third dressage test. ‘Troy’, bred by Gareth Swail, is out of a ‘Master Imp’ mare and, with Marina, does a little bit of everything from Working Hunter to Show Jumping etc.

Indie Bingham and ‘One in a making’ jumped clear in the 70cm Show jumping class at week two of the Flexi Eventing.

Angeline Nicholson reserved her top mark in the Pre-Novice class for Richhill rider, Zoe Daniel, with her mother’s 17-year-old gelding, ‘Anvil Lodge Pinnochio’, with whom she only took over the reins from Hollie Smith last July, and has already gained very impressive results. The runner up spot went to Grassroots graduate, Claire Ireland, riding the very accomplished ‘Goin’ For Gold’. As if this result wasn’t exciting enough, Claire and her family got caught up in further drama, as their lorry developed an electrical fault as they were preparing to leave the venue. They have expressed their enormous appreciation to everyone who helped to evacuate humans, horses and dogs and provided fire extinguishers to extinguish the fire.

16-year-old Newtownabbey girl, Erin McCrea, no stranger to success, added another string to her bow with the arrival of ‘Eisfee’, the Hannovarian mare, which represented Ireland in the Junior European Championships last year at Hartpury with Susan Shanahan. Erin has only had the lovely grey ‘Embassy’ mare for three weeks, but galloped to the top of the Novice class with the Lucinda Webb-Graham awarded score of 76%, proving that they mean business in the year ahead.

Last week’s Pre-Novice winners, Alex Houston and ‘Dinky’ (‘My Atlantic Encore’), moved up a level and settled into second place.

Nichola Wray and ‘Dyln’ had no opposition this week in the Intermediate class, but didn’t rest on their laurels, picking up a score of 64.6% in dressage and delivering a clear round cross-country.

Louise Reid and ‘Norris’ jumped clear in the 90cm cross-country class at week two of the Flexi Eventing.

Show jumping and cross-country judges were kept busy with, again, a strong emphasis this week on the lower classes.

Sincere thanks to the large team of helpers across all three disciplines, who worked hard to ensure that the day ran seamlessly and, of course, most sincere thanks to Judy Maxwell of Baileys Horse Feeds for the very generous sponsorship. Organisers are also grateful to Treo Eile, who are presenting a cash prize of €150  to the highest placed Thoroughbred in the League.

The Flexi Eventing continues every Saturday until February 24, with points being awarded for performance and attendance up until the previous week (February 18), with another special prize for the highest placed Riding Club and Pony Club member, as well as prizes for the top six Pony Club members in dressage. The prize giving will take at The Meadows on February 24 at the completion of competition.

This is open to absolutely everyone and, as the name suggests, riders can choose to do any or all of the three disciplines. Dressage enquiries to Dora on 07876 758979 or dorabeacom@live.co.uk.

Enquiries re: Show jumping and Cross-country should be directed to the Meadows on 028 3832 2417.

RESULTS

Saturday, January 20

Flexi Eventing - Week 2

Dressage

Intro ‘A’ – Judge: Lucinda Webb-Graham:

1) Katie McKee, Bear; 2) Zara Reid, Greylands Diamond Girl; 3) Carys Black, Glencairns Little Monkey; 4) Eimear Watson, Gaurlin Lady; 5) Ellie Rose Sands, Rosie; 6) Amy Smyth, Lisross Irish Knight.

Intro ‘B’ – Judge: Penny Sangster:

1) Kaiti McCann, Cookie; 2) Marina Stewart, Troy; 3) Suzanne Maguire, Felix; =4) Robyn Rice, My Isabella; Penny Logan, Izzy Wonderful; 6) Barbara Johns, Drumhowan Darlin Jazz.

Zoe Daniels and ‘Pinnochio’, winners of the Pre-Novice A Dressage at week two of the Flexi Eventing.

Pre-Novice - Judge: Angeline Nicholson:

1) Zoe Daniel, Pinnochio; 2) Claire Ireland, Goin’ For Gold; 3) Ian McCluggage, Lir; 4) Olivia Johns, Lagans Peter; 5) Katie McKee, Bear; 6) Charlie Watson, Leamore Girl.

Novice - Judge: Lucinda Webb-Graham:

1) Erin McCrea, Eisfee; 2) Alex Houston, Dinky; 3) Anita Doherty, Goldiva; 4) Erin McCrea, Rubane Candy; 5) Alex Houston, Indy; 6) Katie McKee, Murray.

Intermediate - Judge: Angeline Nicholson:

1) Nichola Wray, Dylan.

Nichola Wray and ‘Dylan’, winners of the Intermediate Dressage at week two of the Flexi Eventing.

Show jumping (double clear)

70cm:

Edna Lyness, Thunder; Indie Bingham, One in a Making; Eimear Watson, Gaurin Lady; Molly Reid, Little Me; Holly Carville, Roxy.

80cm:

Karina McVeigh, Cococabana; Amy Smyth, Lisross Irish Knight; Katie Clarke, Sue; Catherine Cowan, OSH Atero.

90cm:

Gaby Kirk, Roly; Maisie Anderson, Farhill Captain Harry; Barbara Johns, Drumhowan Darlin Jazz; Ros Murphy, Troy; Ellie Bingham, Drumree Willow; Zara Reid, Greylands Diamond Girl; Katie Flanagan, Million Dollar Bash; Grace McIlroy, Ace; Christine McVeigh, Lenny; Poppy Duff, Kiltiernan Pride; Lee Bloomfield, Sugar.

Jennifer Gilchrist and ‘Rosie’ jumped clear in the 1m Show jumping class at week two of the Flexi Eventing.

1m:

Katie McKee, Noah; Claire Ireland, Goin’ For Gold; Jennifer Gilchrist, Rosie; Maisie Anderson, Farhill Captain Harry; Rachel Williams, Tignabruich; Robyn Rice, Holiday Kruising; Carys Black, Glencairns Little Monkey; Robyn McFadden, Johnny.

1.10m:

Alex O’Hare, Cleo; Sarah Gilchrist, Max; Aimee Webb, Imperial Matriach.

1.20m:

Anita Doherty, Goldiva; Erin McClernon, Seapatrick Beachball.

Zara Smyth riding Tilly, clear in the 1m cross-country class at week two of the Flexi Eventing.

Cross-Country (clear rounds):

Leona Solan, Barnaby; Kate Russell, Bingo; Karina McVeigh, Cococabana; Kaiti McCann, Cookie; Sara Ward, Dotamado Lady; Barbara Johns, Drumhowan Darlin Jazz; Ellie Bingham, Drumcree Willow; Nichola Wray, Dylan; Eimear Watson, Gaurlin Lady; Carys Black, Glencairns Little Monkey; Zara Reid, Greylands Diamond Girl; Lauren Smyth, Hey There Delilah; Robyn Rice, Holiday Kruising; Lilah Boyce, Killea Fizz; Poppy Duff, Kiltiernan Pride; Zara Reid, Kingsman Dave; Olivia Johns, Lagans Peter; Charlie Watson, Leamore Girl; Ian McCluggage, Lir; Amy Smyth, Lisross Irish Knight; Molly Reid, Little Me; Ava Stubbs, Lucy; Sarah McPolin, Magnum; Robyn Rice, My Isabella; Katie McKee, Noah; Louise Reid, Norris; Catherine Cowan, OSH Atero; Jennifer Gilchrist, Rosie; Holly Carville, Roxy; Katie Clarke, Sue; Robyn Rice, Supreme Dream; Claire Smyth, Tilly; Zara Smyth, Tilly; Ros Morgan, Vos Surprise; Emma Wallace, WantsandNeeds.