Difficult decisions at Connell Hill Working Hunter
Horses and ponies turned out to contest the various classes at Randalstown venue
It was a busy weekend at Connell Hill, Randalstown, with a Working Hunter competition for both horses and ponies being held on Sunday, following the popular unregistered show jumping on Saturday.
150 competitors competed over the two days, and the Creighton family would like to thank each and every one who helped in any way, with particular mention to esteemed judges, Mr Paddy Traynor, Mr Billy Gault and Mrs Sharon Gault, for giving up their time to offer valuable knowledge, experience, feedback and encouragement to all riders, who were being assessed in the Working Hunter classes throughout Sunday’s competition.
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There was some fantastic competition across both the horse and pony classes, with the decision on the championships being difficult for the judges in both sections. Judges Mr Billy Gault and Mrs Sharon Gault found their Horse Champion in Sophie Clugston with ‘Something Similar’, who won the 90cm class en route to the championship, while Reserve Champion, Erin Dunseath and ‘Diamondaire Brilliant Cut’ was the winner of the Small Hunter class.
The afternoon pony classes saw judge, Mr Paddy Traynor, select Eva O’Melvena and ‘George’ as his champion, after they won the 80cm class, with the Pony Reserve Champion title going to Laoise Clancey on ‘Tessa’, who had won the 60cm pony class.
Well done to everyone who took part!
Connell Hill is an excellent venue and first-class facility to school around on a Saturday morning with classes to suit all levels. There is always a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
This Saturday, February 22, Connell Hill will host the TRI Spring Pony Tour - entries are online at www.sjilive
The next training show will be held on Saturday, March 1, starting at 10am with classes from pony cross-poles (assisted/unassisted) up to 1.20m, and everyone is very welcome. Entries are taken on the day.
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
Indoor and Outdoor School Hire available seven days a week (subject to availability)
Additional Dates for your Diary
Connell Hill will be hosting their Spring Extravaganza Working Hunter two-day Show over the weekend of April 19 (Ponies) and April 20 (Horses). The event will showcase all classes in good time to brush up on all preparations for the forthcoming Northern Ireland Festival, and is one not to be missed. Entries online and further details available on Gillian Creighton Facebook pages.
Photography for all Connell Hill Events is available on Lyndon McKee Photography Facebook page.
RESULTS
Sunday, February 16
Working Hunter Series
Horses
Judges: Mr Billy Gault, Mrs Sharon Gault
Champion: Sophie Clugston, Something Similar; Reserve Champion: Erin Dunseath, Diamondaire Brilliant Cut.
70cm Horses:
1) Aoife Hagan, Chantilly on the Rock; 2) Grace Morton, Kinnego Glencorran Archie; 3) Tracey Manson, Dunraven Cleo; 4) Ryan Stewart, Dunnygarran Diamond Lady.
Four-year-old Horses:
1) Sammy Weston, Lavender; 2) Gwen Scott, Tokyo; 3) Ryan Stewart, Dunnygarran Diamond Lady.
80cm Horses:
1) Gwen Scott, Star; 2) Grace Morton, Kinnego Glencorran Archie; 3) Nicky Nesbitt, Kinetic Blue; 4) Emma McGowan, Bonnie; 5) Rebecca Millar, Ballygowans Ready Teddy Go.
Small Hunter:
1) Erin Dunseath, Diamondaire Brilliant Cut; 2) Sophie Clugston, Question Mark.
90cm Horses:
1) Sophie Clugston, Something Similar; 2) Raisa Doherty, Jerry; =3) Rebecca Millar, Ballygowan’s Ready Steady Go; =3) Emma McGowan, Bonnie; 4) Sammy Weston, Ella.
1m Horses:
1) Charlotte McAllister, Captain Missy Finn; =2) Sammy Weston, Cherrie; =2) Sophie Clugston, Spot the Difference; 3) Ben Foster, Doyle’s Romeo.
Ponies
Judge: Mr Paddy Traynor
Pony Champion: Eva O’Melvena, George; Pony Reserve Champion: Laoise Clancey, Tessa.
Pony Cross-Poles:
1) Pippa Leathem, Flash Harry; 2) Emily McClelland, Evie.
50cm Ponies:
1) Pippa Leathem, Flash Harry; 2) Emily McClelland, Evie.
60cm Ponies:
1) Laoise Clancey, Tessa; 2) Lauren O’Rourke, Remo; 3) Pippa Leathem, Flash Harry; 4) Alex Hemsley, Palo; 5) Rosie May Duggan, Heides.
70cm Ponies:
1) Alice Duddy, Lenamore Miss Utopia; 2) Alex Hemsley, Dale; 3) Lauren O’Rourke, Prince; 4) Katie Surgenor, DS Ebony Bay; 5) Ciara McLea, Newline Golden Secret; 6) Erika Dixon, Woodlands Wonder; 7) Laoise Clancey, Tessa; 8) Kate Surgenor, Carnaghy Joey.
80cm Ponies:
1) Eva O’Melvena, George; 2) Annabell Manson, Dunraven Jolie; 3) Annie Morrow, Liberty Benjamin; 4) Katie Kirkpatrick, Vales Roe Sparrow Gem; 5) Katie Surgenor, DS Ebony Boy; 6) Erika Dixon, Woodlands Wonder; 7) Abbey Chambers, Kungfu Spartacus; 8) Alice Duddy, Lenanmore Miss Utopia; 9) Ryan Stewart, Jimmy.
90cm Ponies:
1) Annabel Manson, Dunraven Jolie; 2) Annie Morrow, Liberty;s Benjamin; =3) Katie Kilpatrick, Valesrose Sparrow Gem; =3) Sienna Savage, Follis Princess; 4) Eva O’Melvana, George; 5) Annie Connell, Battlebridge Alfie; 6) Ryan Stewart, Jimmy.