Double act for Katie at Connell Hill

Pony Club qualifiers run alongside Indoor Winter League in Randalstown

On Saturday, November 30, Connell Hill Equestrian, Randalstown, set the course for the next leg of their indoor show jumping league, incorporating classes for the Pony Club Barrier Animal Health Spring Festival qualifiers, carefully co-ordinated by mother and daughter team, Rachelle Mark and Jamie-Lee.

Connell Hill League classes started with the pony cross-poles, where Alice Gregg took first place on her pony ‘Patchy’ and bravely moved on to take joint first place in the 50cm class, with Jessica Park on pony ‘Sally’ and Christine Newton on young horse ‘Ted’.

Pony Club Qualifiers from the 80cm class held at Connell Hill. PICTURES: courtesy of Lyndon McKee

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It was a busy morning for Katie Surgeoner, who jumped into first place in the 60cm class on ‘Joey’, tying with Jodie Anderson on ‘Shamrock’; they were followed closely by Sarah Kirkpatrick on ‘Volvo’ and Robin Park on pony ‘Kipper’. Doubling up with a second win was Katie on ‘Joey’ in the 70cm class, with another super win and double clear for this lovely combination.

Mastering the 80cm class, riding double clears also, were Ellen McGinley on young horse ‘Boe’ and Jack Bell on ‘Sunny’. The opening rounds in the metre class saw Rhonda Carson, partnered with her first mount ‘Koro’, jumping a nice round and going on to jump again on her second mount ‘Tilly’ into first place in the 1.10m. The course was set for the 1.20m class and saw an opening double clear with Catherine Drain on ‘Ellie May’ taking first place.

Ellen McGinley and ‘Boe’ jumped clear in the 80cm class at Connell Hill’s Indoor Winter League.

Pony Club competitors took up their places to jump against the clock, with leading combinations Robin Park on ‘Cooper’ (70cm), Katie Kilpatrick on ‘Valesroe Sparrow Gem’ (80cm) in a time of 32.37 seconds and Katie matching her win and exacting time of 32.37 seconds in the 90cm qualifier also!

Caitlin McCullough on ‘Nonavic Kismet’ won the 1m class, with these riders all taking the red ribbons for peak performance in the fastest times.

Well done to everyone who took part.

All riders who competed in weeks one to five of the Indoor Winter League will be accredited with these qualifying weeks towards their three qualifying shows required to receive prizes, sashes, vouchers, trophies and rosettes in the Christmas Show Final on December 14. The League continues this weekend, Saturday, December 7. This is week six of the Indoor Winter Jumping League. There are classes to suit all levels from cross-poles (assisted/unassisted) up to 1.20m. Entries on the day and everyone is very welcome.

Katie Kilpatrick and ‘Valesroe Sparrow Gem’ won both the 80cm and 90cm Pony Club Qualifiers at Connell Hill.

Please keep an eye out for a host more shows, events and clinics, including details of Connell Hill’s Indoor Winter Show Jumping League. A warm welcome will be extended to everyone who comes along, whether competing, spectating or just socialising with a hot snack and cup of tea from Debbie Dunlop’s cafe.

Further details can be found on Gillian Creighton and/or Connell Hill Facebook pages. Indoor and outdoor arena hire seven days a week (subject to availability).

RESULTS

Saturday, November 30

Indoor Winter Show Jumping League - Week 5 & PC Qualifiers

Cross-poles:

Alice Gregg, Patchy.

Alice Gregg on ‘Patchy’, winner of the cross-poles class and joint winner of 50cm at Connell Hill’s Indoor Winter League.

50cm:

Alice Gregg, Patchy; Jessica Park, Sally; Christine Newton, Ted.

Christine Newton and her young horse ‘Ted’, pictured on their first outing together, were joint winners of the 50cm class at Connell Hill’s Indoor Winter League.

60cm:

Katie Surgeoner, Joey; Jodie Anderson, Shamrock; Sarah Kirkpatrick, Volvo; Robin Park, Kipper.

70cm:

Katie Surgeoner, Joey; Julie Allen, Lily.

PC Qualifier 70cm:

1) Robin Park, Cooper; 2) Maisie Lyons, Timmy.

80cm:

Jack Bell, Sunny; Ellen McGinley, Boe; Rebecca Murphy, Rosie.

Jack Bell and ‘Sunny’ jumped clear in the 80cm class at Connell Hill’s Indoor Winter League.

PC Qualifier 80cm:

1) Katie Kilpatrick, Valesroe Sparrow Gem; 2) Lacie McDowell, Cruvella; 3) Amy Reid, Bright Cherry; 4) Evie Wilkins, Aurora; 5) Aimee Taylor, Unique Diamond; 6) Abbie Chambers, Kungfu Sparticus.

90cm:

Dean Bell, Bunny; Rihanna Wylie, Bessie.

PC Qualifier 90cm:

1) Katie Kilpatrick, Valesroe Sparrow Gem; 2) Eva O’Melvena, Shadows Hulk; 3) Caitlin McCullough, Nonavic Kismet; 4) Sarah Wilson, Barclas Splendid Attraction; 5) Sofie Weir, Ballywrgan Classic; 6) Aimee Taylor, Unique Diamond.

Aimee Taylor on ‘Unique Diamond’ was placed in both the 80cm and 90cm Pony Club Qualifiers at Connell Hill.

1m:

Leah Wylie, Shadow; Stephen Darragh, Tilly; Rhonda Carson, Koro.

PC Qualifier 1m:

1) Caitlin McCullough, Nonavic Kismet.

1.10m:

Rhonda Carson, Tilly; Catherine Drain, Ellie May.

1.20m:

Catherine Drain, Ellie May.