Jumping for joy as equine activities kick off for 2024
Flexi Eventing, Arena Eventing, show jumping and more local updates
Hello everyone,
I’m sure anyone who was out competing at the weekend will agree, we were so fortunate with the weather! It may have been a bit chilly, but there were blue skies and sunshine in many places - a stark contrast to the snow-filled skies of Monday and the snowy and icy conditions on Tuesday.
This meant that the various local equestrian activities were able to proceed at the weekend and many of us got to quench our horsey thirst!
This Horse&Field newsletter brings you the reports, results and photos from these local events, as well as details of forthcoming activities and, of course, the calendar.
All roads led to the Meadows, Lurgan on Saturday, as the Northern Region of Eventing Ireland commenced their popular Flexi Eventing series. There was a super turnout of competitors, all keen to be in with a chance to win a share of the £1,000 prize fund, sponsored by Baileys Horse Feeds.
Meanwhile, near Randalstown, Connell Hill got their 2024 schedule underway with an unregistered show jumping competition, with horses and riders showing their skills and just how keen they are to get going for the year ahead.
Ardnacashel Equestrian, Comber, held the second week of their Arena Eventing and Show jumping series on Sunday, with the course providing both challenges and education for competitors and their mounts.
Ecclesville held the second week of their show jumping league on Friday evening, with this popular venue once again attracting a good turnout.
Antrim Chase held their annual meet at Bellaghy on New Year’s Day as a very successful fundraiser for Marie Curie. Click on the story below to read more about the funds raised and to see some great pictures, including those of the famous big Bellaghy hedge!
More details on these and more are available by clicking on the stories below or visiting Horse&Field and having a scroll through!
There are plenty of activities currently listed in the calendar for this weekend, but with weather conditions as they have been and with high winds currently forecast for the weekend ahead, please do check that activities are going ahead before you set off.
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 currently lists shows and events right up until September, so if you know of any events that aren’t yet listed, please let us know!
To new subscribers, welcome! You will receive this newsletter twice each week, as well as occasional emails in between - we want to keep you informed, but do not want to overload your inbox!
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Have a great weekend!
In the news
Here are some of the latest articles on Horse&Field…
Please click on each story to read the article and see more photos:
Flexi Eventing first leg attracts huge numbers
It was definitely a case of all roads leading to the Meadows Equestrian Centre, Lurgan on Saturday, for the first leg of the Baileys Horse Feeds Flexi Eventing League. This very popular Series, run by Eventing Ireland’s Northern Region in association with the Meadows, got underway at the weekend, with a very generous £1,000 prize fund from the faithful …
Exciting start to action-packed programme at Connell Hill
An exciting and action-packed programme of events for the year ahead kicked off at Connell Hill, Randalstown, on Saturday, January 13, with all competitors and horses at the unregistered show jumping competition on top form. All riders started out showing off their skills with enthusiasm and all at Connell Hill look forward to seeing everyone progress u…
Another brilliant day at Ardnacashel
It was another brilliant day at the second week of Ardnacashel’s Arena Eventing and Show jumping series in Comber, Co Down on Sunday. There was a great turnout and it was a busy day, with multiple on-the-day entries. Thanks go to everyone who came along and a massive well done to all of the competitors. There was great feedback on the course and it seeme…
Ecclesville’s Show jumping League continues
Week two of Ecclesville’s Show jumping League on Friday evening was again very popular, as competitors took on Raymond Caldwell’s challenging courses. Hello and welcome to Horse&Field. Our aim is to support local, grass roots equestrian enthusiasts and competitors an…
Fun at the fundraiser with Antrim Chase
The Christmas dinner had only just been finished when George Graham and his team of fence builders went out, in all sorts of weather, working off the calories, building and preparing jumps, hedges and the route for the Antrim Chase New Year’s Day meet at Bellaghy.
Please visit Horse&Field to read more on each of these stories and others!