Demanding courses at Lusk's Working Hunter
Competitors get good practice for NI Festival and Balmoral Show
The second Working Hunter competition at Lusk’s took place on Sunday, February 25. There was a good turnout and those preparing for the Balmoral Show and the Working Hunter festival were looking for courses, which were somewhat demanding.
Harold and Jenny have continued to support the beginners’ classes, young horse classes and the Traditional Irish Horse classes and particularly in the 60cm and 70cm. It is so interesting to see the children progress from show to show.
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Lauren O’Rourke had three rides in the 60cm class and was able to compete without keeping all waiting and took home first, second and sixth places, well done to her.
Heather Steele won the 70cm class with her stallion in front of Ben Cousins and Lexi Wallace. Vicky Teuton produced her lovely young five-year-old to win the young horse class, with Jackie Conn and Sammy Weston filling the minor places. Local girl Tabitha Cullen won the Traditional Irish Horse class on ‘Micky’, Tara Patterson’s lovely coloured cob.
Lily Murphy and ‘Willow’, both turned out to perfection, won the 143cm Pony class, while Alice Salters and ‘Storm’ took first in the 153cm class.
Jamie Smith brought ‘Highview Tall Order’, a gorgeous chestnut first-timer, for the 80cm class and the Smalls, winning both convincingly. He was the only competitor of the day to get full marks for jumping and way of going and looks certain for bigger things.
The last three horse classes were very competitive, with some very professional riding. Lesley Jones, as always horse and rider turned out to perfection, rode two rounds each on ‘Leo’ and ‘Max’, placing first, two seconds and a third.
As usual, Fran Warden, Director of time keeping, had the classes all on time, which enabled owners, riders and grooms to get into the cafe on such a bright, but cold day for some warming food!
The next Working Hunter is on March 25, with a Derby on April 7 to include the RUAS Performance Qualifiers.
RESULTS
Sunday, February 25
Working Hunter
Note: ‘Q’ denotes partnerships who have qualified for NIF.
Class 1 - 60cm:
1 (Q) Lauren O’Rourke, Prince; 2 (Q) Lauren O’Rourke, Max; 3 (Q) Taylor Lee Doyle, Oreo; 4) Nicci Hall, Benji; 5 (Q) Alex Hemsley, Dale; 6) Lauren O’Rourke, Romeo.
Class 2 - 70cm:
1) Heather Steele, Trehewyd Cardi; 2) Ben Cousins, Little Squire; 3) Lexi Wallace, Birchlane Molly-Mae; 4) Erin Doherty, Jupiter Olympus; 5) Ellen English, Eagle; 6) Daniel Kennedy, Smok’em Benny.
Class 3 - Four- & Five-year-old horses:
1) Victoria Teuton, Fire; 2 (Q) Jackie Conn, Kinnego Glencorran Hendricks; 3 (Q) Sammy Weston, Stella; 4) Lorraine Kennedy, Peggy; 5 (Q) Alex O'Hare, Murlough Beach.
Class 4 - TIH:
1) Tabitha Cullen, Mickey; 2) Ben Cousins, Ruby; 3) Rachel Moore Rooney, JJ.
Class 5 - 143cm ponies:
1 (Q) Lily Murphy, Willow; 2) Heather Steele, Trehewyd Cardi; 3) Lexi Wallace, Lucy Locket.
Class 6 - 80cm Horses:
1 (Q) James Smyth, Highview Tall Order; =2 (Q) Nicola Martin, Misty; (Q) Ruth English, Henry; 4 (Q) Sandra Somerville, Cloonhill Genius; =5) Zara Greenfield, Clerkenwell Supreme; Jim McShane, Denzil.
Class 7 - Smalls (90cm):
1 (Q) Jamie Smyth, Highview Tall Order; 2 (Q) Alice Salters, Wilderwood Silveroo; 3 (Q) Ben Cousins, Duke; 4 (Q) Sophie Nesbitt, Dream Debut; 5) Nicola Martin, Misty.
Class 8 - 90cm Horses:
1 (Q) Gareth Clingan, Sam; 2 (Q) Sammy Weston, Sunny; 3 (Q) Jackie Conn, Kinnego Glencorran Hendricks.
Class 9 - 153cm ponies:
1 (Q) Alice Salters, Storm; 2 (Q) Karuna Gourley, KG Murphy; 3 (Q) Eva Kennedy, Nicely Dun Darcey; 4 (Q) Erin Doherty, Consider it Dun; 5) Martha McMurray, Willow.
Class 10 - 1m Horses:
1 (Q) Lesley Jones, Leo; 2 (Q) Lesley Jones, Max; 3 (Q) Alex O’Hare, George; 4 (Q) Sammy Weston, Harry; 5) Sophie Nesbitt, Dream Debut.
Class 11 - 1.10m Horses:
1 (Q) Janie Cairns, Pixie; 2 (Q) Lesley Jones, Leo; 3 (Q) Lesley Jones, Max; 4 (Q) Rachel McCaughey, Ardglen Stardust.