Fabulous day of fun at Tullylish
Talented Tilley claims victory in 1m class
In the absence of a Northern Region event and in an attempt to provide sport for their members and potential members, the Region ran a Derby at Tullylish, courtesy of Jim and Bronagh Stevenson, on Saturday, September 2.
After a hazy start, the sun shone brightly and it was a very enjoyable day for riders, who travelled from Coleraine to Dublin to Galway with lots of places in between, organisers and the large group of spectators.
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Attention to detail at Tullylish is second to none. The meticulousness with which the conifers are clipped into geometric shapes beggars belief to even the most discerning topiarist.
Northern Region’s resident Course Designer, Adam Stevenson, was working on home turf and built three fabulous courses, which really tested even the most experienced competitors.
There were amazing sponsors, in the form of Sweet Wall Eventing, Henry Evans Fencing and Linda and Paul Baxter - their generosity is very much appreciated and the prizes of rugs, saddlecloths etc were very well received.
12-year-old Tilley Tumilty from Banbridge, who has taken the Eventing world by storm since signing up earlier this year, won the 1m class on ‘Millbarr Phynix’, her mother’s 13-year-old Connemara Pony by ‘Ballinavilla Prince’. They were foot-perfect throughout the 23 jumping efforts to finish just inside the Optimum Time. This super combination now head to the National Championships next weekend at Kilguilkey.
Also going clear jumping, but exceeding the time allowed, was Amateur athlete, Ann Bowe and her trusty steed, ‘Festy Breeze’, her 16-year-old home-bred mare by ‘Ashfield Festy’, whom she introduced to eventing at Tullylish back in 2011.
They finished second equal with Suzanne Hagan riding ‘Flossie’, AKA ‘Karolita O’, owned by Jane Hancock and Anne Magee.
30 combinations took on the 90cm class, which had 20 jumping efforts, but minimal faults. Jonathan McCallion took centre podium position, competing at only his second ever Eventing Ireland event, with ‘San Sebastian’, the 12-year-old ‘Camiro De Haar Z’ gelding, owned by Naomi Buchanan. Jonathan, who has transitioned to equestrianism from rugby and motorbikes, piloted ‘Sebastian’ to a fourth place finish at Vesey Lodge the previous week.
Regular eventing duo, Orla Sheehan and ‘Bear With Us’, from Emyvale, Co Monaghan, added just three time penalties to their clear jumping to take second place.
Jenni Hanninen from Drogheda occupied the top spot in the 80cm class with ‘Goldielocks’, whom she has owned for over six years, having bought her from a local Riding School. Jenni says that she has competed ‘Goldie’ in Hunter Trials, Show Jumping, Working Hunter, Dressage and she excels in any discipline. To upkeep ‘Goldie’s’ lavish lifestyle, Jenni works as a Senior Account Manager in a very hectic FinTech company, but looks forward to her weekend equestrian activities.
15-year-old Poppy Duff from Holywood, riding ‘Kiltiernan Pride’, was the only other combination in the class to go clear and inside time. This combination started competing under Eventing Ireland rules earlier this year and now have completed four events.
A huge thank you goes to Jim and Bronagh Stevenson for opening the gates of their beautiful farm for the Northern Region’s use and to Adam for his fabulous work on the course.
Thank you to the car parkers, Terry Johnston and Mags Magdalena Oleszek, who then double-jobbed to do call up, along with her daughter, Olivia.
Jonathan West was a very efficient Lane Crossing Steward, while Fiona and Alison McCurdy and Sharon Cullen were the Judges of the day.
Thankfully, Anthony from AESCU, had a very quiet day.
Stuart Stirling oversaw the technical side of the Derby, while Ronnie Beggs was Chief Scorer and David Lowry managed the Prize Giving.
John Gibson of Sporting Images was on hand to capture all the action from his lens - his images may be found on sportingimagesni.co.uk
As usual, Hungry Ginger and Bunelos completed the line up by ensuring that everyone enjoyed their scrumptious food. All in all, it was a brilliant day of fun with a great team.
The next Northern Region event takes place at Hazeldene on Saturday, September 23, courtesy of Andrew and Laura Napier. Entries are now open and helpers in any capacity will be most welcome. Please contact Dora on 07876 758979.
RESULTS
Saturday, September 2
1m:
1) Tilley Tumilty, Millbarr Phynix; =2) Ann Bowe, Festy Breeze; Suzanne Hagan, Flossie; 4) Gemma Esler, Punter’s Dream; 5) Robyn Rice, Holiday Kruising; 6) Natasha Byrne, Tisrara Captain.
90cm:
1) Jonathan McCallion, Sebastian; 2) Orla Sheehan, Bear With Us; 3. Ailish McBride, Tek Time Captain Cruise; 4) Laoise O’Farrell, Poppy; 5) Sophie Price, Molly; =6) Lorna Costelloe, Luna; Tilley Tumilty, Barnadown Lad.
80cm:
1) Jenni Hanninen, Goldielocks; 2) Poppy Duff, Kiltiernan Pride; 3) Zara Reid, Greylands Diamond Girl; 4) Sophie Nesbitt, Glencairn Melanie; 5) Sara Ward, Dotamado Lady; 6) Holly Wray, Henry.
