First class ground for Annual May Day Show at Lusk Equestrian
McClurg and King add magic touch to Working Hunter course
For at least 10 years, Lusk Equestrian have secured the date of May Day Monday for their annual pre-Balmoral working hunter and showing show. The showing is normally held on grass, but owing to the wet winter and spring, Lusk took the decision (last week) to host everything on the all-weather sand arenas.
Hello and welcome to Horse&Field. Our aim is to support local, grass roots equestrian enthusiasts and competitors and keep you all informed of what’s happening in the horsey world, as well as covering all things agricultural. If you haven’t already subscribed you can do so below:
Thankfully, the weather was kind to everyone all day. Working hunter riders warmed up in Anne’s Arena and competed in the sand arena with the newly installed bank, with their conformation and ridden phase taking place beside it. The ground was first class, and the course looked in prime condition following the magic touch of David McClurg and Dr Karen King – who spent several hours prior to the show dressing the fences with beautiful greenery.
The working hunter started sharply at 9.30am and classes ran to time throughout the day. Showing started at 10am and, like the working hunter, ran on time, with only a few minor interruptions for riders who were competing in both arenas. This was due to the meticulous planning of show director, Sarah Whiteside, who manned the secretaries and scoring offices throughout the day. Many owners and riders were grateful for the show organisation. This all happened while Sarah awaits her first child in just over two weeks – all at Lusk’s wish her well for the big day, and a speedy return to organise the two-phase in June!
The working hunter judges for the day were Sandra Hamilton (in the jumping phase), Phillippa Auret (proprietor of Lessans Riding Stables) judged the ridden section of the 60cm and 70cm classes. Northern Irish top cob and show hunter producer, Reid Finlay, took over as the conformation and ridden judge for the working hunter for the remainder of the day. Brian Lusk kindly took over both phases to allow judges to have regular comfort breaks.
In the showing arena, Fran Warden made sure everyone was in the arena on time for steward, Paul Horner, to have riders presented for judges George Chapman (Co. Wexford) and Jessica O’Brien (Dublin). The owners of the show horses were delighted to have such a high calibre of judge in George Chapman, and they all complimented the ride judge, who rode with sensitivity and tact. Organisers must also thank a super band of Lusk Livery helpers, who worked tirelessly all day!
The jumps were up to height and demanding over all of the course, giving great preparation for Balmoral. William Steele and Farrah Davidson had been gaining experience from the previous three-week show jumping series, but it was CJ O’Brien with ‘Coolgarrane Candypops’, who took the win in the 60cm on the day. In the 70cm class, the biggest class of the day, local girl Molly Reid and ‘Little Me’ were clear winners, ahead of Lorna Hamilton and ‘Glenwood Oak’ (who were also placed in the 60cm class). Class 3 was for four- and five-year-old horses, and it was Victoria Teuton, riding her smart horse (‘Shannaghmore Inferno’), who took the win. Judge Reid Finlay commented on ‘Shannaghmore Inferno’s’ quality and predicted a bright future for this chestnut gelding.
Lesley Coey, from Moira, claimed the top spot in the 80cm horse class on ‘Tullaher Milo’, while Chloe Rooney on Mandy Boyle’s ‘Markey’ won the 143cm 80cm pony class. Chloe Rooney was demoted to second place in class 7 (the 90cm smalls) by Lisa Dundee on ‘KSH Cardento’. In the 90cm horse class, Sammy Weston, a regular supporter at Lusk Equestrian, piloted the stunning grey mare ‘Stella’ to victory.
Lesley Jones, busy throughout the day, won the 153cm 90cm pony class aboard Paddy McGowan’s ‘Derrylackey Playboy’, and only 0.5 points behind Lesley was Max McDonnell on his faithful ‘Knocklucas Chloe’. Victoria Mullen, who was rarely on her feet during the day, won the hotly contested 1m class on ‘George’, and also placed fourth and fifth. Lesley Jones was back to claim the top two spots in the 1.10m with ‘Quality Choice’ taking the win, with the top score of the day… 97 out of a possible 100.
The three showing championships were kindly sponsored by Brian and Jane McConnell, and it was lovely to welcome them to Lusk Equestrian for the day. The day started off with the four-year-old show hunter class, with Eva Lowry and her smart young horse, ‘Glenveagh Viewpoint’, taking the win. In the five-year-old and over lightweight show hunter class, Victoria Mullen secured top spot on the smart gelding, ‘George’, while it was Chloe Thompson on Alistair McDonald’s ‘Battle’s Gent’ who took the win in the five-year-old and over middle/heavyweight class.
It was Chloe and ‘Battle’s Gent’ who went on to take the overall hunter championship, with the small hunter winner (‘Darrowby Cougar’, ridden by Katie Crozier, recently purchased from working hunter judge Reid Finlay) claiming the title of reserve hunter champion. The ladies hunter class had good entries, with three riders opting to ride side saddle – it was wonderful to see these riders turned out to perfection.
The cob classes were overall, poorly supported, however Rachel Moore and Gwen Scott won the mixed weight cob class and the maxi cob class respectively. There was great quality in the Irish Draught Ridden class, with Victoria Teuton having another win on ‘Shannaghmore Inferno’. The final class eligible for the Irish Horse Championship were the Ridden Connemaras, which was won by Patricia Martin on the lovely dun pony, ‘Hazelwood Prince’. Victoria took Irish Horse Champion, ahead of Rachel Moore in reserve spot.
The last four classes were all eligible for the Riding Horse Championship (which included the coloured horses, riding horses, racehorse to riding horses and veteran horses). The championship went to Brooke Ronan and the smartly turned out ‘Highthyme Spymaster’, ahead of reserve, Sarah McCartney on the stunning coloured horse ‘Inishargy Illusion’.
Photographs of riders can be so memorable, please look at Martin O’Neill’s Facebook to view your photos of the day.
Due to ongoing wet weather, unfortunately Lusk Equestrian have had to reschedule their two-phase to Saturday, June 8, with a go as you please over the course on Sunday, June 9. Details of this will be advertised closer to the time, but entries will be with Sarah Whiteside as usual.
RESULTS
Monday, May 6
May Day Show
Class 1 – 60cm:
1) CJ O’Brien, Coolgarrane Candypops; 2) Farrah Davidson, Rummy; 3) William Steele, Tootsie; 4) Ciara Flavin, Hisley Prince Harry; 5) Amira Greeves, Sadie; 6) Loran Hamilton, Glenwood Oak.
Class 2 – 70cm:
1) Molly Reid, Little Me; 2) Lorna Hamilton, Glenwood Oak; 3) Ciara Flavin, Burtonport Dazzle; 4) Ben Cousins, Highthyme Spymaster; =5) Kate Green, Applejack; =5) Emily Flavin, Newoak Cha Cha.
Class 3 – Four- and Five-year-old horses (80cm):
1) Victoria Teuton, Shannaghmore Inferno; 2) Eva Lowry, Braidview Crawford; 3) Clare Steele, Tim; 4) Lisa Dundee, Most Dignified.
Class 4 – TIH (80cm):
1) Emma Jackson, Ardnacashel Monarch; 2) Catherine Patterson, Castleview Corran; 3) Victoria Teuton, Shannaghmore Inferno.
Class 5 – 80cm Horses:
1) Lesley Coey, Tullaher Milo; 2) Debbie McNeill, KSH Cardento; 3) Kerry Parkhill, Lola; 4) Elizabeth Cherry, Why Larry; 5) Ruth English, Henry; 6) Ellen English, Eagle.
Class 6 – 143cm Ponies (80cm):
1) Chloe Rooney, Markey; 2) Lesley Jones, Derrylackey Playboy; 3) Sienna Savage, Follis Princess; 4) Asya Dixon, Donnaghmore Melody Song; 5) Georgia Shannon, Daisy; 6) Lexi Wallace, Bit of a Pickle.
Class 7 – Smalls/Cobs (90cm):
1) Debbie McNeill, KSH Cardento; 2) Chloe Rooney, Monkey; 3) Gail McIlwaine, Miss Ballyrolly; 4) Kirsty Clingan, Simba.
Class 8 – 90cm Horses:
1) Sammy Weston, Stella; 2) Jayne Moore, CSF Tia; 3) Tracey Manson, Gortfree Merry; 4) Emma Jackson, Ardnacashel Marco Polo; 5) Helen Forgrave, Sun Rich Belle; 6) Rory Lavery, Ardnabannon.
Class 9 – 153cm Ponies (90cm):
1) Lesley Jones, Derrylackey Playboy; 2) Max McDonnell, Knocklucas Chloe; 3) Faith Adair, The Postmistress; 4) Ellie-Rose Dixon, Sliabh Ban Rosie.
Class 10 – 1m Horses:
1) Victoria Mullen, George; 2) Jayne Moore, CSF Tia; 3) Emma Jackson, Ardnacashel Marco Polo; 4) Victoria Mullen, Diamond Yeats; =5) Victoria Mullen, Taptoo; =5) Rory Lavery, Eddie.
Class 11 – 1.10m:
1) Lesley Jones, Quality Choice; 2) Lesley Jones, Cairnview Redwood Guy; 3) Sammy Weston, Harry; 4) Jonny Mulligan, Diamond Queen.
Class 12 – Four-year-old show hunter (mixed weights):
1) Eva Lowry, Glenveagh Viewpoint; 2) Ava Stubbs, Limited Edition; 3) Hannah Whittle, Hi Here’s Henry; 4) Sarah Brittain, Timpany Top Secret; 5) Gwen Scott, Mimi; 6) Gareth Clingan, Crunchie.
Class 13 – Five-year-old and over lightweight hunter:
1) Victoria Mullen, George; 2) Rebecca Gill, Brymar Universal Time; 3) Lisa Dundee, Dunkeeran; 4) Shirley Anderson, Diago.
Class 14 – Five-year-old and over middle and heavyweight hunter:
1) Chloe Thompson, Battle’s Gent; 2) Cheryl Whitley, Moylough Falcon; 3) David Wightman, Ardnacashel Monarch; 4) Rebecca Millar, Ballygowan’s Reddy Teddy.
Class 15 – Small Hunters:
1) Katie Crozier, Darrowby Cougar; 2) Ben Cousins, Duke; 3) Corienne Robb, Braeview Master’s Court; 4) Janice Reddy, Ardnacashel Another Bounce; 5) Victoria Ormedilla, Pico; 6) Rebekah Blakely, Ballygrange Classic.
Class 16 – Ladies Hunter:
1) Lesley Jones, Cairnview Redwood Guy; 2) Chloe Thompson, Battle’s Gent; 3) Shirley Anderson, Diago; 4) Elizabeth Cherry, Why Larry; 5) Julie Donaghy Simpson, Ruby; 6) Billie Wilson, Brisogue Second Chance.
Hunter Champion:
Chloe Thompson, Battle’s Gent; Reserve: Katie Crozier, Darrowby Cougar.
Class 17 and 18 – Combined cobs:
1) Rachel Moore, Morrow’s Dun Deal; 2) Julie Donaghy Simpson, Hobnob; 3) Dawn Hanna Kerr, Monmore Brownie; 4) Wayne Hamilton, Ace of Clubs.
Class 19 – Maxi Cobs:
1) Gwen Scott, Darrowby Bacchus; 2) Ava Stubbs, Draughton’s Wildcard; 3) Michale McGaffin, Willow.
Class 20 – Ridden Irish Draughts:
1) Victoria Teuton, Shannaghmore Inferno; 2) Judith Jackson, Barbara; 3) Janice Reddy, Ardnacashel Another Bounce; 4) Tracey Manson, Gortfree Merry; 5) Rebecca Millar, Ballygowan’s Reddy Teddy; 6) Rebekah Blakely, Balllygrange Classic.
Class 21 – Ridden Connemaras:
1) Patricia Martin, Hazelwood Prince; 2) Asya Dixon, Donnaghmore Melody Song; 3) Lily Beatty, Newtown Melody; 4) Yvie Lewis, Dougal; 5) Ellie Campbell, Killaspic Arya.
Irish Horse Champion:
Victoria Teuton, Shannaghmore Inferno; Reserve: Rachel Moore, Morrow’s Dun Deal.
Class 22 – Coloured Horses:
1) Sarah McCartney, Inishargy Illusion; 2) Sandra Morton, Mountview Misty Morning; 3) Rebecca Belshaw, Hector; 4) Ula McCaffery, Echo.
Class 23 – Riding Horses:
1) Brooke Ronan, Highthyme Spymaster; 2) Pippa Robinson, Arturo; 3) Malachy Casement, Sweet Disposition.
Class 24 – Racehorse to Riding Horse:
1) Gala Rowe-Setz, Pat Costello.
Class 25 – Veteran Horses:
1) Billie Wilson, Brisogue Second Chance; 2) Rebekah Blakely, Ballygrange Classis.
Riding Horse Champion:
Brooke Ronan, Highthyme Spymaster; Reserve: Sarah McCartney, Inishargy Illusion.