Helen shines for Strule Valley at NIRC Show Jumping Championships

Helen Badger has won the 95cm senior individual class for a second time

Strule Valley Riding Club member Helen Badger and ‘Gamble on Cruise’ competed at the recent Northern Ireland Riding Clubs’ (NIRC) Outdoor Show jumping Championships at Knockagh View Equestrian Centre, Greenisland, in the 85cm and 95cm senior individual classes.

Helen Badger and ‘Gamble on Cruise’, representing Strule Valley Riding Club, won the 95cm senior individual classes at the NIRC Outdoor Show jumping Championships.

Helen and ‘Gamble on Cruise’ jumped faultness rounds to claim first place in a competitive 95cm class against other riding club members from Portmore, Lecale, Sixmilewater, Kilkeel and District and Craigantlet. Back in 2019, Helen on her previous horse, ‘Beauty Spot’ also won the 95cm senior individual class.

Helen Badger and ‘Beauty Spot’ winning the 95cm senior individual class at the NIRC Show Jumping championships back in 2019!

What an incredible achievement for Helen on two different horses and both grey mares!

Helen Badger and ‘Gamble on Cruise’, representing Strule Valley Riding Club, with the prizes they won in the 95cm senior individual classes at the NIRC Outdoor Show jumping Championships.

Strule Valley Riding Club members are looking forward to cross-country training with Chris Bogues at Ash Hollow Equestrian this weekend, followed by a pleasure ride at Baronscourt Estate on Bank Holiday Monday, by kind permission of the Duke of Abercorn and Lord Hamilton.

The summer schedule commences at the start of June, with show jumping training with William Anderson at Necarne for three weeks. Wednesday, July 3 sees the start of the Annual Summer Show jumping League at Ecclesville, Fintona, continuing on Wednesdays, July 10 and 17, with the final scheduled for Wednesday, July 24. Each night will start at 7pm with 60cm, 70cm, 80cm, 90cm and 1 metre open. Everyone is very welcome, members and non-members, ponies and horses.

There will be perpetual cups for the league winners on the final night – The AJS Promotions Perpetual Cup, The Strule Valley Riding Club Perpetual Cup, The LW Surphlis and Son Perpetual Trophy, The Good Gracious Perpetual Cup, The Omagh Equestrian and Countrywear Perpetual Cup and The Fordie Cathers Perpetual Cup to the highest placed Strule Valley Riding Club member.

Generous prizes so far have been kindly sponsored by Botanica International Ltd, British Horse Feeds and Bailey’s Horse Feeds in Ireland (Judy Maxwell).

Another cross-country training session has been planned in July, with Chris Bogues and a barbecue at Ash Hollow Equestrian.

August will see Mary Devine from Devine Equine return to take members for further dressage training at Ami Kwaniewska’s arena, as well as the monthly pleasure rides at Gortin Glens.