Catherine is Flexi Eventing Champion for 2025

Excitement at The Meadows, as final qualifying leg of Flexi Eventing Series takes place

The rays of expectation were shining clearly at The Meadows on Saturday for the Final qualifying leg of the Baileys Horse Feeds Flexi Eventing Series. The weather may have been cold, but it did nothing to detract from the excitement of the competitors, who had everything to play for, as the League Table showed precious little dividing the top 15 for whom the £1,000 prize money was available.

Nerves played their part, as some of the dressage tests reflected tension and there were uncharacteristic faults in both show jumping and cross-country for competitors who had previously been consistently clear.

Catherine Cowan and ‘Lady Remarque’, winners of the Flexi Eventing League, pictured during their cross-country round at the Flexi Eventing final at the Meadows. PICTURES: courtesy of Tori O’Connor

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However, when the final tots were tallied and verified, Catherine Cowan and ‘Lady Remarque’ soared to the top to claim the title of Baileys Horse Feeds Flexi Eventing Champion for 2025. They are the ninth combination to claim this prestigious title since the Baileys Horse Feeds sponsored competition started in 2016, bearing in mind that the 2021 competition was cancelled due to Covid. Scarvagh House stable jockey, Connor McClory, and the Thoroughbred, Bestman Bryan, who missed the first two weeks of competition, was hot on her heels, picking up two thirds plus five points in the jumping phases to add extra points to their tally, ending up just four points adrift of the winner. Zara Reid, who had been leading for three weeks with Greylands Diamond Girl had to settle for third place, as she was on a family holiday and missed out on competing in the final week. She completed on the same points as Connor, who got priority in the placings due to the application of published criteria to be used in the event of equality of points.

Connor McClory and ‘Bestman Bryan’, winner of the Trio Eile Thoroughbred Award, pictured riding their dressage test at the Flexi Eventing final at the Meadows.

It is extremely encouraging to see the number of underage riders, who have finished in the top section of the leader board and, even more so, considering that many of those were making their debut in the League and have attributed the benefits of the League for their tangible progress over the six weeks.

Again, the predominance of entries this week were in the Intro class, which required a two-way split.

Topping the 27 starter ‘A’ section, judged by Janet Hall, was 12-year-old Dromore schoolgirl, Charlie Watson, riding her grandfather, Mervyn Gibson’s, Connemara mare, ‘Leamore Girl’, an eight-year-old dun by ‘Classiebawn Hughs Promise’. This combination, which scored 81.5%, has certainly produced some top-class results, not only two wins in the Flexi, but also under Eventing Ireland rules, where she is the current EI80 Pony Grassroots Champion.

Coming in just over one point behind, was Jackson Laing and ‘Doon Da Vinci’. Jackson, a second year QUB student, studying Food Science and Nutrition, works freelance with horses, mainly show jumpers. ‘Doon Da Vinci’ is a seven-year-old Connemara gelding by ‘Newgrange Lad’, owned by Carol Murdoch, who describes him as her ‘pride and joy’. This partnership finished second in last year’s Balmoral Connemara Working Hunter class and hope to return this year, with the title firmly in their sights.

Ben Plunkett and ‘Lizzie’ jumped clear in the 1m show jumping class at the Flexi Eventing final at the Meadows.

29 hopefuls in the ‘B’ section came under the scrutiny of Coreen Abernethy, who was most impressed with Sophie Clugston and ‘Spot the Difference’, who were rewarded with a score of 72.8. Sophie is a self-employed dog groomer, but also works on a neighbouring dairy farm. She and her father bred ‘Spot The Difference’, a 12-year-old gelding by ‘Lislap Benedict’ and she has been competing him since she was 12, mainly hunting, showing and working hunter, but she decided to venture into new pastures with dressage, which they have both really enjoyed. The accomplished pairing of Kaiti McCann and ‘Boyher Cookies N Crème’ were just fractionally adrift on a score of 72.5.

Vanda Stewart was in the judging seat for the Pre-Novice class of 21, where two combinations broke the 70% barrier. Best of those was 16-year-old Ballycastle schoolgirl, Gracie Thompson-Logan, riding ‘Fiddain Dash’, her sister, Katie Thompson’s, seven-year-old Connemara mare by ‘Fairyhill Hawk’. Gracie is one of the most dedicated and committed equestrians in the Northern Region and invests heavily in her training, both in classroom situations and in practical work with her pony and horses. She clocked up three wins last year, the most recent being at Loughanmore in August. Second place was occupied by another very hard-working young lady, Freya Kennedy, riding her mother’s ‘Clerkenwell’ gelding, ‘Kirktown Bob’s Song’, who gained a score of 70.8.

Nikki Cullen and ‘Gemstone Ruby’, winners of the Riding Club Award at the Flexi Eventing final at the Meadows.

Vanda also had the pleasure of judging the 25 strong Novice class, where the top six reached 70% plus. The class was dominated by Steven Smith, who had all four of his rides in the top six. However, Gillian Beale-King took the win on a score of 73.5 on ‘Bonmahon Triomphant’ (‘Harry’), a seven-year-old gelding by ‘L’arc De Triomphe’, whom Lawrence Patterson bought as a very green four-year-old. This partnership had four outings with Eventing Ireland last year and are now looking forward to the start of the spring season.

Denis Currie was pipped to the win and had to settle for second place, half a point behind, with his ‘Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan’ gelding, ‘Arodstown Aramis’, with whom he finished 11th overall in the League.

There was an interesting scenario in the Coreen Abernethy-judged Intermediate class, where there were joint winners - Erin McCrea and Nichola Wray. Erin was riding ‘Rubane Candy’, a 13-year-old mare by ‘OB Active’, owned by her father Clinton McCrea. The combination has a number of top six placings at EI events over the past few years. Amateur rider, Nichola Wray, was clearly putting all her education from the Alain Ponsot training into action with her nine-year-old Irish Draught-sired gelding, ‘Springhill Showman’. This combination are no strangers to success, having picked up a raft of wins at the Northern Region Ball for the past two years and are avidly waiting for the Two-Phase at Tyrella next month as a prelude to the eventing season.

Saturday also saw Pony Club Dressage Qualifiers for the Barrier Animal Health Spring Festival being incorporated in the Flexi.

Harriet Pele and ‘Dickson’s Gem’ jumped clear in the 1m cross-country class at the Flexi Eventing final at the Meadows.

The prize giving for the Baileys Horse Feeds Flexi Eventing will take place at The Meadows on Saturday at the conclusion of the dressage competitions (approximately 13.30). Full details will be given on Thursday and it would be appreciated if all prize winners were available , on foot, and in proper dress. Only the Champion, Catherine Cowan, and the Treo Eile Champion, Connor McClory need to be mounted.

Sincere thanks go to Title Sponsor, Judy Maxwell of Baileys Horse Feeds, for her incredible support and attendance every week throughout the League, as well as to Treo Eile for their class awards.

As ever, a HUGE thank you goes to every single helper over the past six weeks, whose contribution has been significant to the successful running of this amazing League.

RESULTS

Saturday, February 15

Flexi Eventing - week six (final)

Intro ‘A’ - Judge: Janet Hall:

1) Charlie Watson, Leamore Girl; 2) Jackson Laing, Doon Da. Vinci; 3) Connor McClory, Bestman Bryan; 4) Lauren Smyth, Hey There Delilah; 5) Sophie Ennis, achadh An Luir Rainbow Mirah; 6) Sarah Sloan, Moneyquid Black.

Intro ‘B’ - Judge: Coreen Abernethy:

1) Sophie Clugston, Spot the Difference; 2) Kaiti McCann, Cookie; 3) Robyn Rice, My Isabella; =4) Janice Ireland, Technicolour Dream; Niamh Rooney, Toffee; Molly Goodwin, Otis; Enya McLaughlin, Buddy.

Catherine Cowan and ‘Lady Remarque’, winners of the Flexi Eventing League, pictured riding their dressage test at the Flexi Eventing final at the Meadows.

Pre-Novice - Judge: Vanda Stewart:

1) Gracie Thompson-Logan, Fiddain Dash; 2) Freya Kennedy, Song; =3) Connor McClory, Bestman Bryan; Casey Webb, Evie; 5) Freya Kennedy, Skye; 6) Jo Henry-McCool, Onyx.

Novice - Judge: Vanda Stewart:

1) Gillian Beale-King, Harry; 2) Denis Currie, Troy; 3) Steven Smith, Roller; 4) Steven Smith, Matt; 5) Steven Smith, Alfie; 6) Steven Smith, Jimmy.

Intermediate - Judge: Coreen Abernethy:

=1) Erin McCrea, Rubane Candy; Nichola Wray, Springhill Showman; 3) Anita Doherty, Goldiva; =4) Erin McClernon, Seapatrick Beachball; Erin McCrea, Eisfee; 6) Alex Houston, Indi.

Show Jumping (clear rounds)

70cm:

Perrie Barkley, Coco; Sarah Cowan, Gleann Rua Storm; Yvonne Whiteside, Jack; Niamh Rooney, Toffee.

Sarah Cowan and ‘Gleann Rua Storm’ jumped clear in the 70cm show jumping class at the Flexi Eventing final at the Meadows.

80cm:

Arlene Greenaway, Warrior Bob; Catherine Cowan, Lady Remarque; Emily Anderson, Little Squire; Enya McLaughlin, Buddy; Joanna McCurry, MacD; Karina McVeigh, Cococabana; Susan Hunter, A Touch of Magic; Abbie Harkness, Ballymullan Dawn; Joanna Taraseqicz, Prince Harry Trotter.

90cm:

Ellie Rose Martin, Alfie; Jackson Laing, Gismo; Kaiti McCann, Cookie; Kate Shields, Jimmy; Lauren Smyth, Hey There Delilah; Nikki Cullen, Gemstone Ruby; Rory Lavery, Lola; Sarah Sloan, Moneyquid Black; Sofie Halcrow, Clonminch Sally; Sophie Cowan, Tempo Quickstep; Taylor Barkley, Martin; Maisie Lynsay, Hallie; Ryan Stewart, Tina; Julie Coombs, Bruno; Gareth Nethercote, Hugo.

1m:

Myah McLean, Jazz; Alex Houston, Dinky; Ben Plunkett, Lizzie; Callie Kennedy, Correen Rock N Roller; Denis Currie, Troy; Ellie Rose Martin, Star; Ellie Rose Martin, Alfie; Ellie Simms, Carnone Diamond Beach; Emma Stewart, Loughnageer Prince; Jess Vaughan, Magic; Lois Thompson, Ollie; Maisie Elliott, Sahara; Maria Carr, Texas; Perrie Barkley, Tayto; Rhonda Hall, Pyper; Robyn McFadden, Johnny; Tegan White-McMorrow, Woody; Zara Keys, Flossie; Zara McAleese, Boris; Sarah Sloan, Moneyquid Black; Riana Savage, Fred; Johnny Mulligan, Tetris; Johnny Mulligan, Harry.

1.10m:

Alex Houston, Indi; Ciarrai Rice, Lady J; Denis Currie, Troy; Ellie McDowell, Roscrib Ladybird; Ellie Rose Martin, Star; Lois Thompson, Prada; Lucy McDowell, Esme; Megan Rourke, Pearl.

1.20m:

Ellie McDowell, Vanderbitt; Lesley Jones, Cairnview Redwood Guy; Lucy Gibson, Tara.

Cross-Country (clear rounds)

70cm:

Catherine Cowan, Lady Remarque; Nikki Cullen, Lexi’s Ludo Breezer; Rory Lavery, Dot; Katelyn Thompson, Crackerjack.

80cm:

Arlene Greenaway, Warrior Bob; Catherine Cowan, Lady Remarque; Connor McClory, Bestman Bryan; Isaac McCarthy, Hollywood Pippin; Jane Bruce, Minnie the Minx; Karina McVeigh, Cococabana; Kerry Parkhill, Lola; Nikki Cullen, Gemstone Ruby; Orlagh Massey, Norris; Rosie Strain, Angel; Saoirse Riley, Drumbilla Cohen; Susan Hunter, A Touch of Magic; Joanna Tarasewicz, Prince Harry Trotter; Rachel Hall, Khalessi; Robyn Rice, My Isabella.

Connor McClory and ‘Bestman Bryan’, winner of the Trio Eile Thoroughbred Award, pictured during their cross-country round at the Flexi Eventing final at the Meadows.

90cm:

Anne Killen, Alf; Lauren Smyth, Hey There Delilah; Lesley Coey, Charlie; Michaela Glass, Lurganbane Sally; Rory Lavery, Lola; Sofie Halcrow, Clonminch Sally; Sophie Clugston, Spot the Difference; Kaiti McCann, Cookie; Ben Plunkett, Lizzie; Jessica Byrne, Carry On Platinums Edition; Lesley Jones, Derrylackey Playboy; Orlaith McCarron, Woodhill Star; Sophie Clugston, Something Similar; Johanna Herron, Tara.

Anne Killen and ‘Alf’ jumped clear in the 90cm cross-country class at the Flexi Eventing final at the Meadows.

1m:

Harriet Pele, Monkey; Amy Smyth, Lisross Irish Knight; Denis Currie, Troy; Ellie Simms, Carnone Diamond Beach; Harriet Pele, Dicksons Gem; Jocelyn Hutchinson, Ashfield Dreamchaser; Maria Carr, Texas; Natasha Geary, Coolfin Vivendi; Sophie Cowan, Tempo Quickstep; Tegan White-McMorrow, Woody; Abbie Harkness, Melody Sunrise; Michael McCulloch, Cool; Ben Rainey, Guinness; Myah McLean, Milo; Mya McLean, Jazz; Robyn Rice, Holiday Kruising; Victoria Mullan, Max.

Treo Eile Qualifier:

1) Connor McClory, Bestman Bryan; 2) Jane Bruce, Minnie the Minx; 3) Erin McClernon, Jumper D’Ainay.

Pony Club Qualifier Preliminary PC 70 - Judge: Janet Hall:

1) Tommy Watfer, carmens Novello; 2) Cynthia Jane O’Brien, Drumcaughey Diamond; 3) Leah McCord, Rosedale Tilly.

Pony Club Qualifier Grassroots PC80 - Judge: Janet Hall:

1) Orlaith McCarron, Woodhill Star; 2) Olivia Stewart, RF Oblivion; 3) Katie Kilpatrick, Vales Roe Sparrow Gem; 4) Izzy Napier, Rocky; 5) Orlagh Massey, Norris; 6) Kathryn Walker, Tullaheady Blaze.

Pony Club Qualifier Novice - Judge: Vanda Stewart:

1) Emma Stewart, Loughnageer Prince.

Pony Club Qualifier Intermediate Test - Judge: Coreen Abernethy:

1) Erin McCrea, Eisfee; =2) ErinMcCrea, Rubane Candy; Hannah Thompson, Sam Mar Riverland Imp.