Connell Hill extends a warm welcome this Autumn

Competition moves indoors as Autumn/Winter Training Shows continue

Connell Hill Equestrian Centre, Randalstown has wrapped up outdoor competitions for the season and moved the jumps indoors, as Training Shows continue each week throughout the Autumn/Winter season.

Saturday, October 12 saw the Indoor Arena kick into action, with six-year-old Dolcie Moore and her pony ‘Gucci’ jumping a lovely clear round in the pony cross-poles class at their first big outing! Other winning riders were Mia Connor, Lucy Maybin, Ryleigh Wilkin, Sarah Kirkpatrick and Jessica Park, who all went on to collect brightly coloured rosettes, kindly sponsored by Doagh Equestrian.

Ryleigh Wilkin and ‘Cody’ with mum Jamie-Leigh jumped clear in the cross- poles class at Connell Hill’s Training Show on Saturday. PICTURES: courtesy of Lyndon McKee

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Jessica Park with her pony ‘Princess’ and Sarah Kirkpatrick on ‘Volvo’ jumped again in the 50cm class, alongside Rebekah Todd on ‘Cody’.

Sarah Kirkpatrick on ‘Volvo’ took up the challenge to jump her first 60cm course, achieving another lovely clear round! Allister Doyle and ‘Sparrow’ took joint first place with Diane Scott and ‘Myagi’ in the 70cm and Robin Park took a close second place on ‘Cooper’. The next junior rider to move up the heights this week was Allister Doyle, bravely taking on the 80cm class with another lovely round on ‘Sparrow’.

Sarah Kirkpatrick and ‘Volvo’ jumped their first 60cm course at Connell Hill’s Training Show and were clear all the way.

Aimee Fleming and ‘Jess’ were joint first in the 90cm class, with Jodie Creighton on young horse ‘Charlotte’. Karen Walker and ‘Ellie’ took first place in the 1m class, going on to win the 1.10m as well, with Oliver Doherty taking a very close second. Wrapping up the 1.20m was Oliver Doherty again, with a super double clear round in the final class of the day. Well done to everyone who took part!

Connell Hill training shows resume again on Saturday, October 26, starting at 10am with a HALLOWE’EN SHOW. There will be Hallowe’en goodies for all the children. Fancy dress is welcome!

The day starts with the popular pony cross-poles class (assisted/unassisted), kindly sponsored by Doagh Equestrian - all competitors in this class will receive lovely colourful rosettes just for taking part.

Classes run from cross-poles up to 1.20m/1.30m. Entries taken on the day - £12.

Diary Dates

Saturday, October 19 - Connell Hill TRI Equestrian and Ulster Region Autumn Pony Tour

Saturday, October 26 - Connell Hill Hallowe’en Show

Saturday, November 2 - Connell Hill (Unregistered Jumping) Training Show

Horse and Pony SJI dates for Registered Shows are available on www.sjilive

Connell Hill is an excellent venue to school around on a Saturday morning, with classes to suit all levels. Indoor and outdoor arena hire ia available seven days a week.

Details of all events can be found on Gillian Creighton or Connell Hill Facebook pages.

Come and join in! Everyone is very welcome.

RESULTS

Saturday, October 12

Autumn Training Show

Pony cross-poles (sponsored by Doagh Equestrian):

Dolcie Moore, Gucci; Lucy Maybin, Piccalo; Mia Connor, Ash; Ryleigh Wilkin, Cody; Sarah Kirkpatrick, Volvo; Jessica Park, Princess.

Six-year-old Dolcie Moore on ‘Gucci’ pictured at Connell Hill, on their first outing, when they jumped clear.

50cm:

Sarah Kirkpatrick, Volvo; Rebekah Todd, Cody; Jessica Park, Princess.

Jessica Park and ‘Princess’ jumped clear in both the cross-poles and 50cm classes at Connell Hill’s Training Show.

60cm:

Samantha Hamilton, Zuri; Sarah Kirkpatrick, Volvo; Robin Park, Cooper; Rebekah Todd, Cody; Caroline Gaston, Stella.

Samantha Hamilton and her young mare ‘Zuri’ jumped clear in the 60cm class at Connell Hill’s Training Show.

70cm:

Allister Doyle, Sparrow; Diane Scott, Myagi; Robin Park, Cooper.

80cm:

Allister Doyle, Sparrow; Nicole McGarvey, Miller.

Nicole McGarvey and ‘Miller’ jumped clear in the 80cm class at Connell Hill’s Training Show.

90cm:

Jodie Creighton, Charlotte; Aimee Flaming, Jess.

1m:

Karen Walker, Ellie.

1.10m:

Karen Walker, Ellie; Oliver Doherty; Gary Close, Izzy.

1.20m:

Jodie Creighton, Cotton; Oliver Doherty.