Crawford sisters take the 'Biscuit' at Connell Hill Training Show

Elsie and Lily reap success at Randalstown venue

The weekend got off to a great start, with competitors loading up and making their way to Connell Hill, Randalstown, for a fun-filled competitive day of training. It was a team effort on Saturday morning, as parents, grandparents and friends all joined in and played a big part in the show.

Junior rider Elsie Crawford took the prize and mini trophy for the first clear round on ‘Biscuit’ in the pony cross-poles class.

Next up, Leah Rees and ‘Bybeck Stanley’ very confidently claimed joint first place in the 50cm class, along with Penelope Robinson on ‘That’ll Do’.

Lily Crawford, pictured on ‘Biscuit’, had a great day, jumping four double clears on her two ponies in the 60cm and 70cm classes at Connell Hill’s Training Show. PICTURES: courtesy of Lyndon McKee

Hello and welcome to Horse&Field. Our aim is to support local, grass roots equestrian enthusiasts and competitors and keep you all informed of what’s happening in the horsey world, as well as covering all things agricultural. If you haven’t already subscribed you can do so below:

The course was adjusted for the 60cm class and Larne rider Lily Crawford and her first pony, ‘Biscuit’ jumped double clear and went on to secure her second double clear on ‘Wilber’. James McCracken rode his first double clear at his debut show and matched this super performance in the next class up.

The 70cm class was well-supported and saw local rider Eileen Carlin jump a lovely round on her six-year-old horse ‘Maine Attraction’. Also competing in this class on her two ponies was Lily Crawford attaining her third and fourth double clears of the day!

Penelope Robinson on ‘That'll Do’ and Leah Rees on ‘Bybeck Stanley’ receiving their Trophy and Easter Eggs for the 50cm class at Connell Hill’s Training Show.

This good day’s jumping then saw the 80cm class set and open for walking, with Anna McCaig on ‘Harley’ and Elsa O’Kane on ‘Peaches’ tying for joint first place. The 90cm class opened with Jessica Halliday displaying her jumping talent on ‘Douglas’, with a double clear round and going forward to match this lovely performance in the metre class also. Jessica took joint first place with Lily McKenzie on her second mount ‘Phoebe’.

Finishing off in the 1.10m class was Kyla McLaughlin on ‘Ballyrobin Benson’.

Kyla McLaughlin and ‘Ballyrobin Benson’ jumped the sole clear in the 1.10m class at Connell Hill’s Training Show.

Training shows will continue at Connell Hill on Saturday, April 26, with classes starting with pony cross-poles (assisted/unassisted) up to 1.20m; entries taken on the day.

This weekend will see the Easter Showing and Working Hunter Festival to be held on April 19 and 20. Ponies will compete on Saturday and Horses on Sunday.

• English judges with three rings in operation

• WH inside, showing outside - entries online via website

• Top Spec sponsoring supreme horse and supreme ponies for showing and WH 100s of prizes and sashes for champions

Connell Hill is an excellent venue to build confidence week by week and is a first-class facility to school around on a Saturday morning with classes to suit all levels, with lots of achievement opportunities and confidence-building going on. There’s always a friendly and welcoming atmosphere and it’s a great start to any weekend for riders, owners and spectators to socialise with a cup of coffee and snack.

Details of all events can be found on Gillian Creighton/and Connell Hill Facebook pages, and SJI Registered show dates are available on www.sjilive

Photography for all Connell Hill events is available on the Lyndon McKee Photography Facebook page.

RESULTS

Saturday, April 12

Connell Hill Training Show

Class 1 - Pony Cross-poles:

Elsie Crawford, Biscuit.

Elsie Crawford and ‘Biscuit’ receiving their Trophy and Easter Egg for the cross-poles class at Connell Hill’s Training Show.

Class 2 - 50cm:

Leah Rees, Bybeck Stanley; Penelope Robinson, That’ll Do.

Class 3 - 60cm:

Lily Crawford, Biscuit; James McCracken, Louis; Lily Crawford, Wilber; Harlow Robinson, Holly; Carla Dolan, Dekota; Leah Rees, Bybeck Stanley.

Class 4 - 70cm:

Lily Crawford, Biscuit; Lily Crawford, Wilber; James McCracken, Louis; Kristianne Lyttle, Rosanna; Anna McCaig, Harley; Elsa O’Kane, Peaches; John McKirgan, Dolly; Eileen Carlin, May; Barbara Murtland, Florence.

Eileen Carlin and ‘May’ (‘Maine Attraction’) jumped double clear in the 70cm class at Connell Hill’s Training Show.

Class 5 - 80cm:

Anna McCaig, Harley; Elsa O’Kane, Peaches; Carraig McLarnon, Clover; Kristianne Lyttle, Rosanna; Anthea Moffett, Pablo; Lily McKenzie, Sunshine.

Class 6 - 90cm:

Jessica Halliday, Douglas; Katie Kilpatrick, Peggy; Sarah Bailie, Leo; Freya O’Kane, Blossom; Conan Boyle, Tullyrow Butternut; Jamie Smyth, Sort Code; Carraig McLarnon, Clover.

Class 7 - 1m:

Jessica Halliday, Douglas; Lily McKenzie, Phoebe; Kyla McGlaughlin, Ballyrobin Benson; Ruby Hitchenor, Misty; Philip Gaw, Boy.

Ruby Hitchenor and ‘Misty’ jumped clear in the 1m class at Connell Hill’s Training Show.

Class 8 - 1.10m:

Kyla McLaughlin, Ballyrobin Benson.