Happy Easter, my equine friends!
Bringing you local equestrian reports, results, photos and news
Hello everyone,
It’s Easter weekend and I hope that means you might have a little extra time to spend with your equine friends - the two-legged as well as the four-legged varieties! There has been a definite change in the weather again over the past couple of days… For those who went home cold and damp today, I hope you can make up for it tomorrow, by staying cosy with a hot cuppa and maybe a bit of chocolate, if there are any Easter eggs on the go…?! And, if you are out with your horse tomorrow, here’s hoping you will have a good day and catch up on the chocolate when you get home (or on the way home, if you can’t wait that long!).
As is becoming the norm, the past week or so has been really busy for those out competing, with a great selection of show jumping, Working Hunter, eventing, endurance and showing… plus the Air Ambulance Show at Ardnacashel, which offered multiple disciplines at the one venue! This trend is set to continue, with the Horse&Field calendar bursting with things to do with your horse or pony.
This Horse&Field newsletter brings you the latest equine news, as well as reports, results and pictures from local competitions and events over the past week or so, including the pony league final at Mossvale; the pairs’ league final at Mossvale; the ILDRA ride at Shane’s Castle; the Air Ambulance Show at Ardnacashel; show jumping at The Meadows; week three of the Working Hunter league at Hagans Croft; the latest Training Show at Connell Hill; Eventing Ireland Northern Region’s Tyrella 3; registered pony jumping at Connell Hill; SJI Horse Show at Connell Hill; the Causeway and Glens Riding Club showing show at RDA Causeway Coast Arena, as well as news on treatment for PPID and, locally, a Belfast Flavours event looks at tackling food waste and celebrating local produce!
Ponies take home prizes at Mossvale
There is always great competition at the pony jumping held by Mossvale Riding Club on Friday nights at Mossvale Equestrian Centre, Dromara.
Pairs league success for Little and Large at Mossvale
Congratulations to the April Pairs’ League winners at Mossvale Equestrian Centre. The Little and Large team, aka Rachel Stranney and Trevor Caldwell, took second place on the final night, which was enough to give them first place in the league. They each took home a lovely numnah and Mossvale rosette for their efforts! Well done to them.
Competitive endurance season kicks off at Shane’s Castle
ILDRA (Irish Long Distance Riding Association) returned to Shane’s Castle near Antrim for their second visit in 2025 on Sunday, April 13, with a spectacular turnout of horses and riders. Offering pleasure rides (PRs), vetted pleasure rides (VPRs) and competitive trail rides (CTRs), several riders chose to take part in a vetted ride.
Sashes and smiles at Ardnacashel's Air Ambulance Show
Ardnacashel Equestrian, Comber, held their now annual Air Ambulance Show on Saturday, April 12, hosting a huge number of classes to suit horses and ponies, whether their preference is Working Hunter, ridden or in-hand! All those who took part helped to support the vital services of Air Ambulance NI.
'Stormbird' soars to Meadows win
The Spring Horse Show and MEC Young Horse Challenge continued at The Meadows, Lurgan on Saturday, April 12, with registered classes running from 80cm up to 1.30m, including sections for four, five, six and seven-year-olds.
Jessica takes two at Hagans Croft
Saturday, April 12 saw the third leg of the Hagans Croft Equestrian five-week Working Hunter league and Northern Ireland Festival qualifiers. With 19 classes on offer, starting at cross-poles up to 1m with two arenas, one on grass and one on sand, there is something for everyone whether riders would like to qualify for the NIF or not - everyone is welco…
Crawford sisters take the 'Biscuit' at Connell Hill Training Show
The weekend got off to a great start, with competitors loading up and making their way to Connell Hill, Randalstown, for a fun-filled competitive day of training. It was a team effort on Saturday morning, as parents, grandparents and friends all joined in and played a big part in the show.
Eventers enchanted at Tyrella 3
Saturday was yet another splendid day at the enchanting Tyrella. Every visit to this remarkable location, gives a feeling of rejuvenation and admiration of the stunning scenery that has inspired countless poets and artists over the years, including the likes of Percy French.
Pony athletes on form at Connell SJI Pony show
Last Thursday at Connell Hill, Randalstown saw the SJI show welcome ponies as well as horses, with classes running from 128 70cm up to 148 1.20m, allowing these young athletes an opportunity for a midweek run out.
Mackey on form at Connell Hill's SJI Horse Show
The SJI Spring League welcomed registered show jumpers to Connell Hill, Randalstown again on Thursday, April 10, hosting classes from 80cm up to 1.30m.
Spring Showing Show success for Causeway and Glens club
Causeway and Glens Riding Club ran a very successful spring showing show on Sunday, April 6 at RDA Causeway Coast Arena, Coleraine. Liz Payne kindly gave her time to judge, starting the day with the horse section.
In local and equestrian news:
Research reveals new knowledge about treatment for PPID horses
New research* published by the University of Melbourne in partnership with the SPILLERSTM brand, is enhancing knowledge about how best to manage horses and ponies with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), ultimately to help to reduce the risk of laminitis.
Belfast Flavours event champions nose-to-tail cooking
An event hosted by Belfast Flavours, Food and Drink Collective, in collaboration with Belfast City Council and funded by DAERA via the Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme, has explored the art and sustainability of nose-to-tail cuisine in a bid to tackle food waste and celebrate local produce.
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The Horse&Field calendar lists local equine activities and is updated on a daily basis. We are trying to make the calendar as comprehensive as possible and it currently lists shows and events right up until the spring, so if you know of any events that aren’t yet listed, please let us know by emailing: horseandfield@gmail.com!
Horse&Field Calendar
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