Equestrian action from Omagh Show 2023
The prize fund of around £16,000 helped to attract some 1,000 horses, ponies and riders to Omagh
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THE 181st annual agricultural and horse show, hosted by Tyrone Farming Society, unfolded on Friday, June 30 and Saturday, July 1, in much improved weather conditions from that experienced last year. It once again showcased a remarkable representation of the agricultural and equine sectors and the rural community and, for this annual show, the country had truly come to town. With the huge range of events and exhibits to view, trade stands to visit and entertainment to enjoy, there was something to capture every interest. The huge crowd in attendance was an indicator of how happy people were to see a break in the recent wet weather and have an opportunity to enjoy the summer sunshine.
The equestrian section launched the Show on Friday, June 30, with horses and ponies performing in all corners of the 20-acre grounds. There were four showing rings, two horse jumping arenas, a pony jumping arena and a Working Hunter arena for ponies and horses. The prize fund of around £16,000 helped to attract some 1,000 horses, ponies and riders to Omagh, many of whom regularly compete on the national circuit and some show jumping competitors had just returned from competing abroad.
The all-weather warm-up arena was thoroughly watered in advance of the Show and it proved to be an invaluable facility in enabling horses to warm up
successfully before venturing to tackle inviting courses in one of the two all-weather grass horse arenas, which were in excellent condition after some intensive and diligent treatment ahead of the Show.
With competitions such as the Four-Year-Old Performance class, sponsored by J D O’Hagan, Consulting Engineer, Eskra; the GAIN/Alltech National Grand Prix League, sponsored by Mr and Mrs Alan Duncan of the Silverbirch Hotel and ShowJumping Ireland; the new TRM Mini Grand Prix, sponsored by TRM’s MD, Mr Raoul Masterson, who makes the journey every year from his Kildare headquarters to be in attendance to present the rosettes and bags of his company’s products to the winning line-up; the National Ladies League, sponsored by the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel and Lodges, Enniskillen; the Accumulator, sponsored by local rider and veterinarian, Mr E Smith; the Ulster Region Grand Prix Tour, sponsored by Mrs E Waterson and family, the Speed Event, sponsored by Ms V Loane from Loaneden Caravan Park; to name but a few, together with a range of sponsored classes for riders and their horses jumping at the lower heights of 90cm to 1.20m, riders had many opportunities to secure for themselves worthwhile outcomes from their visit to Omagh Show.
Sponsors of horse show jumping classes also included The Cedar Country Hotel, Baronscourt; Mrs Constance Curran, in memory of her father Mr Paddy McEvoy, a former course designer at Omagh Show; Blackfort Driving Range; Ms J Lyons, Veterinary Physiotherapy; Baronscourt Estate; Mr W Swindle, Farrier; WW Tyres; Ms S McAleer, Irish Equestrian Mental Health Project; Mr R Scott, Scotts Fuels; Horse First; Botanica Herbal Creams; Amy McMenamin, Spectra-Therm, Thermal Imaging.
Sponsors of pony show jumping classes included stalwart Omagh Equestrian and Country Wear; Mountfield Kitchen Centre; Mr R Black, in memory of his father and McFadden (Civils) Ltd, Civil Engineering. This local support and that from further afield greatly enhances the Show and adds colour and interest. Competitors and show organisers are delighted when sponsors take the time to present their rosettes, rugs or numnahs.
Each year, local horse enthusiasts very kindly spruce up their stables and are on standby to play hosts to long distance competitors and their horses, should stabling be required. The Show organisers are eternally grateful for their support.
The all-weather grass cattle arena was the ideal setting (and in prime condition from recent reconditioning) on Friday for the four showing rings, where horses and ponies of all sizes were presented to the expert judges, who hailed from Counties Offaly, Galway, Roscommon and Down. Young enthusiasts could flex their arena skills and practise the art of showing in presenting their special four-legged friends to best advantage. Commentator Mrs Jane Somerville once again kept the public fully informed of progress at any given time in all four Showing Rings. The prize fund in the Racehorse to Riding Horse class was generously contributed by Mrs I McAleer’s Splash in the Pan.
The Working Hunter classes were enthusiastically supported and are going from strength to strength, taking advantage of Alan Lynch’s inviting tracks, varied jumps and generously sponsored prize funds from sponsors Boyd Bedding for all pony classes and Gortrush Foods for the horse classes. Their attractive prize fund was supplemented by Richard Barbour, who very kindly provided a bridle, numnah and head collar and Lynette McKeown, who supplied a numnah and a variety of soaps.
The 4YO Performance class, sponsored by Mr J D O’Hagan, Eskra, is ever favoured and it offers an opportunity for owners and competitors alike to give their young animals an early outing and introduce them to the sounds and colour of a typical show. Jennifer Torrens, riding Harry Marshall’s 'El Classico', gained the highest overall score of the three judges on the ground, followed by Ellen Thompson, another young rider on her father Andrew’s horse, 'Fee Nix'. Third place went to Ellen’s cousin, Michael Roche, riding 'ESI Othello'.
The 1.10m Horseware National Ladies League is always a popular event and this year’s was equally so, with some 25 competitors seeking to gain a share of the generously contributed Killyhevlin Hotel and Lodges, Enniskillen, prize fund. Local rider, Roisin Donnelly, riding 'Ballynamurra Eargon', secured first place, followed by Lisa Rosbotham on 'Erico'.
The one round speed Accumulator class, sponsored by Mr E Smith, proved a popular choice with 28 competitors. Jonathan Smyth, from Victoria Bridge, riding Brian McAuley’s 'Larkhill Cruisette', took first place, followed by fifth place, riding Willie Craig’s 'Castle Ferro Cruis', the first two places of some 11 winning positions of the Show.
The Grands Prix always attract particular spectator interest and, with the 1.35m Ulster Region/ Wilson’s Auctions Grand Prix Series on Friday, the TRM Mini Grand Prix and the 1.40m GAIN/Alltech National Grand Prix League on Saturday, there was plenty of high quality jumping to view. For the second successive year in the Ulster Region/ Wilson’s Auctions Grand Prix, Jonathan Smyth, riding Ann Doherty’s 'Crystal Graf' secured first place and third place on 'Mr Kannan Ball', jointly owned by Noletta Smyth and Roy Craig. Nicole Kershaw, riding 'Clovalent', secured second place.
The 1.30m TRM Mini Grand Prix proved a popular competition, new on the schedule. Once again, Jonathan Smyth was in winning form, taking first
and sixth places.
Meanwhile, in the 1.40m GAIN/Alltech National Grand Prix Clement McMahon from Scotstown, Co. Monaghan, riding Derry Kingston’s 'Athea Clover Trend', secured the top position and gained 10 points on the League’s Leader Board, together with a significant share of the €4,000 prize fund. Jonathan Smyth continued his winning ways taking second place on 'Crystal Graf' and sixth place on 'Mulvin Lights Out'.
Arena 2 had a very busy weekend with the Ulster Region/ Wilson’s Auctions Grand Prix Series, together with the new Show Jumping Ireland Summer Series qualifiers. The classes were well supported and there was excellent jumping over Ray Buchanan’s inviting, yet challenging tracks. Ground conditions in both arenas remained excellent throughout the Show. All classes over the two days were very generously sponsored.
Arena 3 Pony competitions were once again competing for riders, against the final RDS qualifier at Cavan Equestrian Centre, also in the Ulster Region, on Saturday, July 1, where many riders aimed to avail of their last qualifier to secure their entry to events in the August RDS Dublin Horse Show. Those remaining had the opportunity for gaining points in the pony leagues and experience good jumping over inviting courses set by Alan Lynch, William Brown and Andrew Bogle.
The show was very ably served by a wonderful team of dedicated, highly qualified and experienced professionals, who set very high standards and are not shy of long days and hard work, from course designers, judges, accounts clerks, starters, jump stewards, sound engineers, caterers, arena maintenance workers and first aiders, not forgetting sponsors and competitors. Many of them return year on year to Omagh.
The Show organisers could not operate without such expertise and greatly appreciate all the help, which is carried out so diligently and professionally and is key to making Omagh Show’s horse and pony events a success.
RESULTS
Friday, June 30
Arena 1 Horses
4YO Performance Class, sponsored by J D O’Hagan, Consulting Engineer, Eskra:
1) Jennifer Torrens (YR), El Classico; 2) Ellen Thompson (YR), Fee Nix; 3) Michael Roche, ESI Othello; 4) Mackenzie Healy (YR), Kleio De Muse; 5) Peter
Smyth, Urbalreagh Candy Joker; 6) Ryan Stewart, Ollie 4; 7) Megan McGettigan, Altaskin Jane; 8) Michael Roche, Little Cornet; 9) Barry McCormack, Fee Dallas Debut.
1.10m National Ladies League Qualifiers, sponsored by the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel and Lodges:
1) Roisin Donnelly (AA), Ballinamurra Eargon; 2) Lisa Rosbotham, Erico; 3) Hannah Thompson (JU/YR), Neat Regina; 4) Louise Thompson, Pacini; 5) Antoinette Burns, Joltin Joe Di Maggio (LHI); 6) Jennifer Torrens (YR), Powder Puff (IHR); 7) Caitlin Taggart, Nahan DVH; 8) Mackenzie Healy (YR), Contemporary Rock.
The Accumulator, sponsored by Mr E Smith, MRCVS, Seskinore:
1) Jonathan Smyth, Larkhill Cruisette; 2) Nicole Kershaw, BP Elvandas; 3) Cian Harrison, Florida Springs; 4) Katie Scott, Gelvin Rock; 5) Jonathan Smyth, Castle Ferro Cruis; 6) Megan McGettigan, Tullabeg Jackson.
1.35m Ulster Region/ Wilson’s Auctions Grand Prix Series 2023, sponsored by Mrs E Waterson & Family, Omagh:
1) Jonathan Smyth, Crystal Graf; 2) Nicole Kershaw, Clovalent; 3) Jonathan Smyth, Mr Kannan Ball; 4) Aoife Owens, Omard Connery; 5) Paul Caves, CAFRE Quality Clover; 6) Heinrich Anhold, Landlord 56.
Arena 2 Horses
90cm Ulster Region/ Wilson’s Auctions Grand Prix Series 2023 and SJI Summer Series 2023 Qualifier. Ms J Lyons Veterinary Physiotherapy very
kindly contributed £100 to the Prize Fund and a free service to winner:
1) Conrad McGuinness (S), Coolrock Dark Angel; 2) Lesley Coey (S), Alfie II; 3) Mollie Crossley (A), BGS Little Cadet; 4) Tyrone Flanagan, Simple Vision; 5) Una McSorley (A), Kilmainham Roan; 6) Demilee McKenna AA (YR), Diamond Cascade; 7) Avril Mackarel (A), Ashtree Apple Blossom; 8) Ellen McCollum, Trendsetter (HSI); 9) Maeve Lunny (A), Kippure Steepleview Jack; 10) Jennifer Robinson (A), Ardragh Dancing Lady; 11) Chloe Gannon (S) Pine Croft Fleet; 12) Nicola McDermott, King of Connacht; 13) Ava Stubbs (JU/YR), Sapphire Sparrow Star.
1m Show Jumping Ireland Summer Series 2023 with sponsor Blackfort Driving Range:
1) Avril Mackarel (A), Ashtree Apple Blossom; 2) Eric Smith, Corkhill Black Ice; 3) Chloe Gannon (S), Pine Croft Fleet; 4) Ellen McCollum, Trendsetter (HSI); 5) Jenna McConnell, O Coevers Dream; 6) Sasha Milne, DSTUD Ashton; 7) Jenna McConnell, Glenfinnan; 8) Stephen Smith, Ardess Carrera VDL.
1.10m Show Jumping Ireland Summer Series 2023 Qualifier with sponsors Baronscourt Estates and Mr Wayne Swindle, Farrier:
1) Niamh McFall (AA) Bay of Biscay; 2) Frances Kealey (A), Danny Boy II; 3) Antoinette Burns (AA), Joltin Joe Di Maggio (LHI); 4) Kevin Mackey, Caugherty Ronan; 5) Jason Patterson (AA), Downshire Game of Thrones; 6) Deane Rogan, MCG Emerald.
1.20m Show Jumping Ireland Summer Series 2023 Qualifier with sponsors WW Tyres and Ms S McAleer, Irish Equestrian Mental Health Project:
1) Jessica Thompson, Stellor Skipon; 2) Lynne Russell, Akasha; 3) Jonathan Smyth, Fyfin Glenn Boy; 4) Kevin Mackey, Val De Mazeroy; 5) Lynne Russell, CAFRE Olympic Dream; 6) J P Meegan (YR) Pacino Endor.
Arena 3 Ponies
128 80cm, very kindly sponsored by McFadden (Civils) Ltd, Civil Engineering:
1) Emma McFadden (U), Goldie Locks II.
128 90cm (UR Points Cup) very kindly sponsored by McFadden (Civils) Ltd, Civil Engineering:
1) Emma McFadden (U), Goldie Locks II; 2) Elle-Mae McCrory (U), Cool Addiction.
138 80cm:
1) Callie Cooke (U), Loughbeg Dunby.
138 90cm:
No clear rounds.
138 1m (UR Points Cup) very kindly sponsored by Mountfield Kitchen Centre:
No clear rounds.
148 90cm:
1) Zara Smyth (U) (COH/JU), Rakish Talisman.
148 1m:
No clear rounds.
148 1.10m (UR Points Cup):
1) Connie McFadden (U) (JU), Infinity; 2) Josie Doherty (U) (JU/YR), Millparks Silver Rascal.
148 1.20m:
1) Connie McFadden (U) (JU), Infinity; 2) Connie McFadden (U) (JU), Candy Floss (IHR).
Saturday, July 1
Arena 1 Horses
Ulster Amateur Cup for A and AA Riders. Prizes very kindly sponsored by Horse First, Botanica and Amy McMenamin, Spectra-Therm, Thermal
Imaging:
1) Paddy Ward (A), Ardnaglass Lizzy; 2) Egle Zakaraite (A), Talbot Siss; 3) Roisin Donnelly (AA), Ballinamurra Eargon; 4) Roisin Donnelly (AA), Seaforde Rebel; 5) Natalie Somerville (AA) (YR), Harlequins Butterfly; 6) Jason Patterson (AA), Downshire Game of Thrones.
1.25m Horse Speed Event, Table A. Prize Fund contribution Ms V Loane, Loaneden Caravan Park, Kesh:
1) Nicole Kershaw, Novellent; 2) Olivia Roulston, Sydney PMD; 3) Eric Smith, Ember ISH; 4) Michael Roche, Mr Rocky Blue; 5) Barry McCormack, Louieland; 6) Jonathan Smyth, Castle Ferro Cruise.
1.30m TRM Mini Grand Prix, very kindly sponsored by Mr R Materson, MD of TRM:
1) Jonathan Smyth, MB Sandro Star; 2) Nicole Kershaw, BP Elvandas; 3) Michael Roche, Mr Rocky Blue; 4) Clem McMahon, Grand Prix Dk; 5) Sean Foley, Ugadi Hero Z; 6) Jonathan Smyth, Keelnacally Cobra Clover.
1.40m GAIN/Alltech National Grand Prix very kindly sponsored by The Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh:
1) Clem McMahon, Athea Clover Trend; 2) Jonathan Smyth, Crystal Graf; 3) Catherine Thornton, Coachella; 4) Dermott Lennon, Gelvins Touch; 5) Mackenzie Healy (YR), Domar Van De Neerheide; 6) Jonathan Smyth, Mulvin Lights Out; 7) Jonathan Smyth, Premier Spirit; 8) Nicholas Bothwell, Newberry Cleverleaf.
Arena 2 Horses
1m Ulster Region/ Wilson’s Auctions Grand Prix Series 2023 including Amateur A, very kindly sponsored by The Cedar Country Hotel, Baronscourt:
1) Fiona Thompson (AA), O’Harabrook; 2) J P Meegan (YR), Drumavrack Max; 3) Egle Zakaraite (A), Talbot Siss; 4) Amy McLaughlin (JU/YR) Rhonda IHR; 5) Courtney Sloan (AA), Golden Korona; 6) Hannah Maneely, Amigo VH Winkenshof Z.
1.10m Ulster Region Grand Prix Series 2023 including Amateur AA. Mrs Constance Curran very kindly sponsored the prize fund in memory of her
late father, Mr Paddy McEvoy:
1) Sarah Kinnear (AA), Elf Queen; 2) Victoria Brown, Calgot Cruise; 3) Sarah Moore (YR), GSS Mircino; 4) Niamh McFall (AA), Bay of Biscay; 5) Kevin Mackey, Val De Mazeroy; 6) Lisa Patterson (AA), Little Miss Shutterfly.
1.20m Ulster Region/ Wilson’s Auctions Grand Prix Series 2023. Scott’s Fuels very kindly sponsored the prize fund for this class:
1) Barry McCormack, Louieland; 2) Lynne Russell, Akasha; 3) Barry McCormack, Cazadee; 4) John O’Hagan, CAFRE Scarlett Luxann; 5) Nicole Kershaw,
Novellent; 6) Sarah Moore (YR), GSS Mircino.
Arena 3 Ponies
128 50cm, incorporating Walter Reape Newcomers League:
=1) Rory McBride (U), Back to Black; Zoe Smyth (U), Brynsion Good Looking; Elsa Lee (U), Caerserennog Amethyst; Lily McBride (U), Chaple Lane Trigger; Mark Brown (U), Derrylanghan Sparrow; Cara Grant (U), Lady Pokerface; Jack Bell (U), Muskerry Crusader; Caleb Mitchell (U) Smokey Joe (HPA); Miley Ella Jo Rouke (U), Super Cinnamon; Jack Bell (U), Tuity Fruity.
128 60cm U8 National Discovery League Qualifier:
=1) Rory McBride (U), Back to Black; Amelia Gallagher (U), Borderview Misty; Zoe Smyth (U), Brynsion Good Looking; Charlie McCann (U) (COH), Capparoe Chic; Lily McBride (U), Chaple Lane Trigger; Mark Brown (U), Derrylanghan Sparrow; Cara Grant (U), Lady Pokerface; Poppy Coulter (U) Millstone Flight; Jack Bell (U), Muskerry Crusader; Caleb Mitchell (U), Smokey Joe (HPA); Ellie Baxter (U), Sparkling Class Act; Jack Bell (U), Tuity Fruity.
128 70cm O8/U10 National Discovery League Qualifier:
=1) Tim Morton (U), Aghaderg Stepping Delight; Rory McBride (U), Back to Back; Alyssa Smyth (U), MHS Nutcracker; Amelia Gallagher (U), Borderview Myles; Lily McBride (U), Chaple Lane Trigger; Charlie McCann (U) (COH), Capparoe Chic; Elsa Lee (U), Little Dazzler.
128 80cm, incorporating Mullingar Equestrian, Irish Sport Horse Auctions National Young Pony Series 2023 for 4/5 YO:
=1) Tim Morton (U), Aghaderg Stepping Delight; Amelia Gallagher (U), Borderview Myles; Emma McFadden (U), Goldie Locks II.
128 90cm, incorporating Mullingar Equestrian, Irish Sport Horse Auctions National Young Pony Series 2023 for 6/7 YO, very kindly sponsored by Omagh Equestrian and Country Wear. UR Pony Points Awarded:
No clear rounds.
138 80cm:
=1) Megan Louise Rouke (U) (COH/JU) Crosskeys Beauty; Callie Cooke (U), Loughbeg Dunby.
138 90cm, incorporating Mullingar Equestrian, Irish Sport Horse Auctions National Young Pony Series 2023 for 4/5 YO, very kindly sponsored by Mr
R Black:
=1) Megan Louise Rouke (U) (COH/JU), Crosskeys Beauty; Rebecca Coulter (U) (COH), Sam’s Secret; Pippa Moore (U), Seapatrick Make a Move.
138 1m, incorporating Mullingar Equestrian, Irish Sport Horse Auctions National Young Pony Series for 6/7 YO, very kindly sponsored by McFadden
(Civils) Ltd, Civil Engineering:
1) Pippa Moore (U), Seapatrick Make a Move.
148 90cm, very kindly sponsored by Omagh Equestrian and Country Wear:
=1) Shauna Murray (U) (COH/JU), Bundoran Bay; Lily Beatty (U) (COH/JU), Newtown Melody.
148 1m, incorporating Mullingar Equestrian, Irish Sport Horse Auctions National Young Pony Series 2023 for 4/5 YO:
No clear rounds.
148 1.10m, incorporating Mullingar Equestrian, Irish Sport Horse Auctions National Young Pony Series 2023 for 6/78 YO. UR Pony Points Awarded:
1) Connie McFadden (U) (JU), Infinity.
148 1.20m:
1) Connie McFadden (U) (JU), Infinity; 2) Connie McFadden (U) (JU), Candy Floss (IHR).
For the Ridden and In-hand showing and Working Hunter results, click here