Connell Hill hosts opening leg of SJI Ulster Region Spring Pony Tour 2025

Siblings Indie and Georgia set the clock rolling at Randalstown venue

Teamwork was the name of the game on Saturday, February 22, as, with great excitement and anticipation, the first leg of the TRI Equestrian SJI Ulster Region Spring Pony Tour 2025 took place at Connell Hill Equestrian in Randalstown. A strong and cohesive team of athletes got organised, under the scrutiny and close commentary of judges Pat McLaughlin, Denise Withers and Gillian Kiekkas, to jump their way through a staggering 250 entries. Competitors took the opportunity to jump great courses, purposefully built by Mr William Crean, who gave up his time to build an exciting course for the day ahead.

The morning started sharp with the 128 ponies, as Class 5 set the clock rolling for siblings Indie and Georgia Bingham, who took the first top placings of the day. Moving forward with a full programme of well-supported jumping classes, each category sported their talent and skills, with an excellent standard of jumping.

Rosette winners in the 138 80cm class at the SJI Ulster Region Spring Pony Series at Connell Hill. PICTURES: courtesy of Lyndon McKee

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The pony classes wrapped up with the 148cm 1.20m Equine Future Champions Series, kindly sponsored by Bob Sweeney, with the top six combinations being Abbie-Rose McGeady on Lisa McGeady’s ‘Annaghmore Boomahontas’; Zoe Mellett on Martin Mellet’s ‘Victory Day II’ and again on Sparkling Equine’s ‘Creevagh Melody’; Juliana Nelson on Jillian Nelson’s ‘Tully Jim’; Megan Louise Rouke on Tina Rouke’s ‘Seapatrick Quality’ and Sparkling Equine’s second mount, ‘Sparkling Avalon Radisson’, ridden by Adam Adair.

Abbie-Rose McGeady and ‘Boomahontas’ won the 148 1.20m class at the SJI Ulster Region Spring Pony Series at Connell Hill.

Well done to all competitors who took part and thank you to everyone who helped in any way.

RESULTS

Saturday, February 22

SJI Ulster Region Spring Pony Tour 2025

Connell Hill - leg 1

Class 1, 128 50cm inc. Walter Reape 50cm Newcomers - Double Clears:

Caoimhin John O’Kane (U), Alexia (6YO) [Owner: Anthea O’Kane]; Molly McLaughlin (U)(U), DML Pinch Dazzler (4YO) [Owner: Dionne McLaughlin]; Naoishe McPeake (U), Fairfield Donnacha [Owner: Aine McPeake]; Emily Robertson (U), Hillside Nicely Dun [Owner: Rachel Kinnaird]; Lucy Mackey (U), Jula Lady Keeper [Owner: Melissa Mackey]; Ellen Montgomery (U), Knockavoe Harrier [Owner: Cali O'Donnell]; Naoishe McPeake (U), Kroggaardens Harry Potter [Owner: Aine McPeake]; Caoimhin John O’Kane (U), Lily Rose [Owner: Anthea O’Kane]; Carter McManus (U), My Mr Barney B [Owner: Jenni Parker]; Toby Callion (U), Stella (IHR) [Owner: Alison Callion].

Naoishe McPeake and ‘Fairfield Donnacha’ jumped double clears rounds in the 128 50cm and 128 60cm classes at their first SJI Show, the Ulster Region Spring Pony Series at Connell Hill.

Class 2, 128 60cm inc. Ark Equine U8 - Double Clears:

Molly McLaughlin (U) (U), DML Pinch Dazzler (4YO) [Owner: Dionne McLaughlin]; Eliza Burke (U), Drumhass Diamond [Owner: Louise Burke]; Amelia Boggs (U), Erwwastad Hyderus (5YO) [Owner: Lorraine Boggs]; Naoishe McPeake (U), Fairfield Donnacha [Owner: Aine McPeake]; Emily Robertson (U), Hillside Nicely Dun [Owner: Rachel Kinnaird]; Ellen Montgomery (U), Knockavoe Harrier [Owner: Cali O'Donnell]; Naoishe McPeake (U), Kroggaardens Harry Potter [Owner: Aine McPeake]; Caoimhin John O’Kane (U), Lily Rose [Owner: Anthea O’Kane]; Lois Murtagh (U), Manny [Owner: Angela Maguire]; Amy McLaughlin (U) (U), McCleans Bodacious Bee [Owner: Hubert McLaughlin]; Bella Murtagh (U), Mrs O’Shea [Owner: Helen Murtagh]; Cooper McManus (U), My Mr Barney B [Owner: Jenni Parker]; Poppy Coulter (U), PDS Lucky Lady (7YO) [Owner: Alison Callion].

Ross Will and ‘Rocco ACS Brook’ competing in the 128 60cm class at the SJI Ulster Region Spring Pony Series at Connell Hill.

Class 3, 128 70cm inc. Ark Equine O8/U10 - Double Clears:

Rosie May Duggan (U), Heides Lady’s Boy (6YO) [Owner: Shelley Bonten]; Ross Will (U), Westmount Double Dip [Owner: Ruth Will]; Eliza Burke (U), Drumhass Diamond [Owner: Louise Burke]; Amelia Boggs (U), Penanns Smurf (7YO) [Owner: Gareth Barkley]; Zara Moore (U), Capparoe Chic [Owner: Pam Moore]; Alyssa Smyth (U) (U), Dycott Fashion Statement (5YO) [Owner: Fairywater Equine]; Jack Bell (U), Muskerry Crusader [Owner: Katie Bell]; Amy McLaughlin (U) (U), McCleans Bodacious Bee [Owner: Hubert McLaughlin]; Nuala Arbuckle (U) (U), TLC April’s Adventure [Owner: Tyrone Flanagan]; Eliza Burke (U), Blueoak Bonnie [Owner: Louise Burke]; Harry Kelly (U), Ryehall J’adore (7YO) [Owner: Ballymagan Equine]; Zara Moore (U), Oaklea Supreme [Owner: Pam Moore]; Megan Burns (U), Darth Vader (8YO) [Owner: Sarah Burns]; Clara Little (U), Carnlea Bambino [Owner: Edward Little].

Class 4, 128 80cm inc. Elite Equine and Duffy Group Disc. & Mullingar 4/5 YP Series - Double Clears:

Cara Grant (U), Barrera Star Attraction (OS) [Owner: Amy Hamilton]; Eliza Burke (U), Blueoak Bonnie [Owner: Louise Burke]; Maeve Nesbitt (U), Jay [Owner: Samuel Nesbitt]; Poppy Coulter (U), Julie Go Leor [Owner: Lynne Russell]; Khloe McLaughlin (U), K B Airlines (6YO) [Owner: Ronan McLaughlin]; Katie McDonald (U) (U), Loughside Pebbles (8YO) [Owner: Alex McDonald]; Amelia Boggs (U), Penanns Smurf (7YO) [Owner: Gareth Barkley]; Anna Rose Garrity (U), Rosegate Mayfly [Owner: Michael Garrity]; Harry Kelly (U), Ryehall J’adore (7YO) [Owner: Ballymagan Equine]; Poppy Coulter (U), Shanvally Lily [Owner: Lynne Russell]; Georgia Bingham (U), Sweet Lily (CPBS) [Owner: Ashley Bingham]; Ross Will (U), Westmount Double Dip [Owner: Ruth Will].

Class 5, 128 85cm inc. Under 10's Bob Sweeney Equine Future Champions Series:

1) Indie Bingham (U), One in the Making [Owner: Ashley Bingham]; 2) Georgia Bingham (U), Sweet Lily (CPBS) [Owner: Ashley Bingham]; 3) Harry Kelly (U), Ballymagan's Gin & Tonic (7YO) [Owner: Ballymagan Equine]; 4) Megan Burns (U), Darth Vader (8YO) [Owner: Sarah Burns]; 5) Tim Morton (U), Parkhills Jackbequick (8YO) [Owner: Joanne Morton]; 6) Cara Grant (U), Barrera Star Attraction (OS) [Owner: Amy Hamilton].

Class 6, 128 90cm inc. Mullingar 6/7 YP Series:

1) Tim Morton (U), Parkhills Jackbequick (8YO) [Owner: Joanne Morton]; 2) Katie McDonald (U) (U), Barryroe Prince William [Owner: Alex McDonald]; 3) Indie Bingham (U), One in the Making [Owner: Ashley Bingham]; 4) Tim Morton (U), Blueoak Rockstar (6YO); 5) Anna Rose Garrity (U), Boreton Cherokee [Owner: Michael Garrity]; 6) Harry Kelly (U), Paris [Owner: Ballymagan Equine].

Class 7, 128 1m inc. Bob Sweeney Equine Future Champions Series:

1) Anna Rose Garrity (U), Boreton Cherokee [Owner: Michael Garrity]; 2) Tim Morton (U), Blueoak Rockstar (6YO) [Owner: Joanne Morton]; 3) Harry Kelly (U), Paris [Owner: Ballymagan Equine].

Class 8, 138/148 Newcomers 70cm ***Class restricted to 138 and 148 Ponies Only*** - Double Clears:

Lacie McDowell (U), Boskill Diamond [Owner: Matthew McDowell]; Arianna Beales (U) (U), Cartron Chillie (7YO) [Owner: Tyrone Flanagan]; Sophie Burns (U) (U), DML Rockytown Boy (5YO) [Owner: Dionne McLaughlin]; Nuala Arbuckle (U) (U), Fanta Ned (5YO) [Owner: Tyrone Flanagan]; Sofia Taylor (U) (U), Greenfield Apache [Owner: Lisa Taylor]; Cathryn McConnell (U) (U), Kelsha Prince (6YO) [Owner: Jennifer McConnell]; Michaela Craig (U) (U), Knockillaree Sky Boy [Owner: Jackie Craig]; Lilly Mae Murphy (U) (U), Speedy Fegan (5YO) [Owner: Dionne McLaughlin]; Perrie Barkley (U) (U), T.B.S Coco (5YO) [Owner: Gareth Barkley].

Class 9, 138 80cm - Double Clears:

Harry Kelly (U), Ballymagan’s Yabba Dabba Doo (7YO) [Owner: Ballymagan Equine]; Eabha Quinn (U) (U), EQ Little Lucky (8YO) [Owner: Paul Quinn]; Amy McLaughlin (U) (U), Knockbrack (IHR) [Owner: Hubert McLaughlin]; Abbie Chambers (U) (U), Kungfu Spartacus [Owner: Claire Chambers]; Lacey McLaughlin (U) (U), LML Gallileo (6YO) [Owner: Paul McLaughlin]; Callie Cooke (U) (U), Loughbeg Dunby [Owner: Susan Cooke]; Perrie Barkley (U) (U), T.B.S Coco (5YO) [Owner: Gareth Barkley].

Class 10, 138 90cm inc. Elite Equine and Duffy Group Disc. & Mullingar 4/5 YP series - Double Clears:

Amy McLaughlin (U) (U), (Dup) Knockbrack (IHR) [Owner: Hubert McLaughlin]; Miley Ella Jo Rouke (U) (U), Crosskeys Beauty [Owner: Tina Rouke]; Ellie Bingham (U) (U), Currabawn Prada (7YO) [Owner: Ashley Bingham]; Zac Hanna (U) (U), Cynbrook Heiress (7YO) [Owner: Nicole Galbraith]; Ellie Bingham (U) (U), Drumree Willow (7YO) [Owner: Ashley Bingham]; Eabha Quinn (U) (U), EQ Little Lucky (8YO) [Owner: Paul Quinn]; Lacey McLaughlin (U) (U), LML Gallileo (6YO) [Owner: Paul McLaughlin]; Lacey McLaughlin (U) (U), Shorty Boy (7YO) [Owner: Cali O'Donnell]; Faith Lindsay (U) (U), Windyhill Wendy (6YO) [Owner: Susan Anne Stokesberry].

Miley Ella Jo Rouke and ‘Two Socks’ won the 138 1m class at the SJI Ulster Region Spring Pony Series at Connell Hill.

Class 11, 138 1m inc. Mullingar 6/7 YP Series:

1) Miley Ella Jo Rouke (U) (U), Two socks ID [Owner: Mandy Johnston]; 2) Tim Morton (U), Ramiro Van Het Overlede Goed [Owner: Ann Galvin]; 3) Éabha Muldoon (U) (U), Dunlewey Redshank [Owner: Justin Muldoon]; 4) Ellie Bingham (U) (U), Currabawn Prada (7YO) [Owner: Ashley Bingham]; 5) Ellie Bingham (U) (U), Drumree Willow (7YO) [Owner: Ashley Bingham]; 6) Zac Hanna (U) (U), Cynbrook Heiress (7YO) [Owner: Nicole Galbraith].

Class 12, 138 1.10m inc. Bob Sweeney Equine Future Champions Series:

1) Ellie Bingham (U) (U), Little Pretender [Owner: Ashley Bingham]; 2) Perrie Barkley (U) (U), Future Memories [Owner: Gareth Barkley]; 3) Charlotte Nelson (U) (U). Sparkling Taylor Maid (8YO) [Owner: Alwena Nelson]; 4) Éabha Muldoon (U) (U), Dunlewey Redshank [Owner: Justin Muldoon]; 5) Medb Kinney (U) (U), Sparkling Kiowa Moon [Owner: Sharon Margey].

Ellie Bingham and ‘Little Pretender’ took the top spot in the 138 1.10m class at the SJI Ulster Region Spring Pony Series at Connell Hill.

Class 13, 148 80cm - Double Clears:

Éabha Brennan (U) (U), BSH Golden Boy (6YO) [Owner: Shaun Brennan]; Freya Bevan (U) (U), Bud 2 [Owner: Claire Bevan]; Sophie Burns (U) (U), DML Rockytown Boy (5YO) [Owner: Dionne Mc Laughlin]; Annabel Manson (U) (U), Dunraven Jolie (6YO) [Owner: Graham Manson]; Cathryn McConnell (U) (U), Kelsha Prince (6YO) [Owner: Jennifer McConnell]; Zara Smyth (U) (U), Lynncot Lord Saphire (6YO) [Owner: Samantha Smyth]; Shauna McLaughlin (U) (U), Penumbria Glamboy [Owner: Fergal McLaughlin]; Charlotte Nelson (U) (U), Rathcline Joe (5YO) [Owner: Alwena Nelson]; Courtney Lynch (U) (U),Take Two [Owner: Michelle Connor].

Class 14, 148 90cm - Double Clears:

Megan Louise Rouke (U) (U), Anita’s Prince [Owner: Tina Rouke]; Oliver Kinnear (U) (U), Atletico Madrid (6YO) [Owner: Sonya Kinnear]; Shannon Cairns (U) (U), Balcormo Prince [Owner: Andrea Cairns]; Freya Bevan (U) (U), Bud 2 [Owner: Claire Bevan]; Zac Hanna (U) (U), CLF Ember (6YO) [Owner: Nicole Galbraith]; Erin Doherty (U) (U), Consider It Dun [Owner: Karen Doherty]; Eva Omelvena (U) (U), Georginas Boy [Owner: Michelle Omelvena]; Megan Louise Rouke (U) (U), Joaquin Phoenix [Owner: Tina Rouke]; Zoe Mellett (U) (U), Josefina (7YO) [Owner: Martin Mellett]; Lily Brown (U) (U), Lisnagardy Rambler [Owner: Rachael Brown]; Zara Smyth (U) (U), Lynncot Lord Saphire (6YO) [Owner: Samantha Smyth]; Charlotte Nelson (U) (U), Rathcline Joe (5YO) [Owner: Alwena Nelson]; Taylor Barkley (U) (U), Super Martin boy [Owner: Gareth Barkley]; Courtney Lynch (U) (U), Take Two [Owner: Michelle Connor]; Jennifer Tate (U) (U), The Red Fox [Owner: Tricia Tate].

Class 15, 148 1m inc. Elite Equine and Duffy Group Disc. & Mullingar 4/5 YP Series - Double Clears:

Shannon Cairns (U) (U), Balcormo Prince [Owner: Andrea Cairns]; Hannah MacCombe-Funston (U) (U), Berryburn Shooting Star [Owner: Roy Arthur]; Tim Morton (U), Brackhowney Silver (8YO) [Owner: Ann Galvin]; Zac Hanna (U) (U), CLF Ember (6YO) [Owner: Nicole Galbraith]; Holly Savage (U) (U), Coffee Luke Thunder [Owner: Katrina Savage]; Emma Williamson (U) (U), Dernahatten Miller (8YO) [Owner: Stephanie Williamson]; Cara Garrity (U) (U), Diamond Smiles (6YO) [Owner: Michael Garrity]; Zoe Mellett (U) (U), Josefina (7YO) [Owner: Martin Mellett]; Rosa McIlhatton (U) (U), Prince Sparrow (8YO) [Owner: Pamela Lowe]; Abbie-Rose McGeady (U) (U), Robyn’s April Song (7YO) [Owner: Lisa McGeady]; Victoria Grieves (U) (U), Twister D'Euro [Owner: Aileen Browne].

Class 16, 148 1.10m inc. Mullingar 6/7 YP Series:

1) Ted Gibson (U) (U), Glenarousk Flash Bandit [Owner: Edna Gamble]; 2) Zoe Mellett (U) (U), Victory Day II [Owner: Martin Mellett]; 3) Abbie-Rose McGeady (U) (U), Annaghmore Boomahontas [Owner: Lisa McGeady]; 4) Lily Brown (U) (U), Heolas Queen Anne [Owner: Kodie Clarke]; 5) Juliana Nelson (U) (U), Tully Jim [Owner: Jillian Nelson]; 6) Ted Gibson (U) (U), Ballygarris Bui [Owner: Michael Garrity].

Ted Gibson and ‘Glenarousk Flash Bandit’ on their way to winning the 148 1.10m class at the SJI Ulster Region Spring Pony Series at Connell Hill.

Class 17, 148 1.20m inc. Bob Sweeney Equine Future Champions Series:

1) Abbie-Rose McGeady (U) (U), Annaghmore Boomahontas [Owner: Lisa McGeady]; 2) Zoe Mellett (U) (U), Victory Day II [Owner: Martin Mellett]; 3) Zoe Mellett (U) (U), Creevagh Melody [Owner: Sparkling Equine Martin Mellett]; 4) Juliana Nelson (U) (U), Tully Jim [Owner: Jillian Nelson]; 5) Megan Louise Rouke (U) (U), Seapatrick Quality [Owner: Tina Rouke]; 6) Adam Adair (U) (U), Sparkling Avalon Radisson (7YO) [Owner: Sparkling Equine].

Class 18, 1m COH/Junior Class:

Katie Boggs (JU/YR) (U), Our Tom (7YO) [Owner: Lorraine Boggs]; Zara Smyth (JU/YR) (U), Neat Ruby Blue (7YO) [Owner: Samantha Smyth]; Peter Morton (JU/YR) (U), Blueoak Yogi [Owner: Joanne Morton].

Class 19, 1.10m/1.20m Children on Horses & Juniors:

Peter Morton (JU/YR) (U), Blueoak Yogi [Owner: Joanne Morton]; Katie Boggs (JU/YR) (U), Our Tom (7YO) [Owner: Lorraine Boggs]; Sophia Bingham (JU/YR) (U), Strandhill Pacino [Owner: Robin Bingham].