Katie does the double at Flexi Eventing
Excitement as final qualifying day approaches at The Meadows
The excitement at The Meadows was palpable for week five of the Baileys Horse Feeds Flexi Eventing, which took place in much improved weather conditions on Saturday, February 10.
North Down Pony Club member, Zara Reid, continued with her consistent performance across all three phases to maintain her position at the top of the leader board, six and a half points clear of Denis Currie, who had a very successful day, winning both Novice and Intermediate dressage classes on ‘Arodstown Aramis’.
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Lucinda Webb-Graham was doubly impressed with this combination, awarding them 76.8 in the Novice and 70.7 in the Intermediate, both well clear of their nearest rivals. Alex Houston took the runner up spot in the four-runner Intermediate class with ‘Indy’ (‘Minty Imp’) her 14-year-old mare by ‘S Creevagh Ferro Ex Siebe’.
Newtownabbey teenager, Erin McCrea slipped in behind Denis in the Novice class with ‘Eisfee’, the Hanovarian mare, which represented Ireland in the Junior European Championships last year at Hartpury with Susan Shanahan. Erin has only had the lovely grey ‘Embassy’ mare for a few weeks and galloped to the top of the Novice class on her first outing three weeks ago. She also came third this week in the same class on ‘Rubane Candy’.
To accommodate judging requirements, the Pre-Novice class was divided into two sections.
Recently appointed Dressage Ireland List 6 Judge, Corey Mawhinney, reserved his top mark of 72.5 in the ‘A’ section to last week’s winner, Caroline McQuillan with the unraced Thoroughbred mare, ‘Belle Saru’. Grassroots Academy Graduate, Claire Ireland, took second place, just half a point behind, with ‘Goin’ For Gold’. These valuable points plus those accrued for placing sixth in the Intro and competing in the cross-country, keep Claire in a strong fifth position on the leader board.
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Forced by illness to miss last week’s event, Felicity McConnell was determined to maximise the opportunity for valuable points and she certainly did that by scoring Sally Hodgkinson’s top mark of 76.3 in Pre Novice ‘B’ on board her mother’s once-raced ‘Mahler’ gelding, ‘Easy Pleased’. Rachel Ferres slotted into second place on ‘Benny’ (‘Woodbury Tampa’) her nine-year-old Thoroughbred gelding by ‘Born to Sea’.
Final year Law student, Katie McKee, certainly made her mark in the Intro classes by winning two of the three sections. She took the win with an amazing score of 76.8, awarded by Lucinda Webb-Graham in Section ’A’ riding ‘Mia’, (‘Elusive Clover’), owned by Wendy Anderson. Mia competed successfully last year at the Baileys Horse Feeds League with her owner and Katie will compete her under Eventing Ireland rules this year, while Wendy relocates temporarily to Scotland with work. Second place had a three-way split between Kaiti McCann and ‘Cookie’, who have never been out of the top placings in the League so far, including two appearances in the winner’s enclosure and Holly Rice with ‘Supreme Dream’, as well as last week’s runner up, Ros Morgan and ‘VOS Surprise’, who has definitely made her competitive intentions clear since her relocation from the South of England.
The ’B’ section was, again, headed by Robert Newell and ‘Louis’, who also claimed the top spot on his debut two weeks ago. ‘Louis The Thirteenth’ is a 10-year-old ‘Sligo Candy Boy’ gelding that he purchased as a foal for show jumping, but is now intent on making his foray onto the eventing circuit. Second place, just fractionally behind, was claimed by a delighted Gracie Thompson-Logan from Ballycastle with her mother’s Connemara pony, ‘Fiddain Dash’.
Gracie, a Year 11 pupil at Ballycastle High School, is currently juggling her first year GCSEs along with producing and competing her pony, ‘Dash’, whom she has owned for almost two years, having been bought as a very green four-year-old. Gracie’s mentor, and the person responsible for encouraging the eventing route, is Rosie Alcorn who, despite relocating to the South of Ireland, still maintains a keen interest in Gracie’s progress and development.
Gracie, who attended the Alain Ponsot clinic last week, has set her big goal for the year to compete in a Home International and, judging by her passion and drive, that is clearly in her sights.
The Intro ‘C’ section saw Katie McKee take her second win of the day, this time on ‘Bear’ (‘Water Paint’), with a score of 74. ‘Bear’ is a nine-year-old skewbald gelding, whom Katie has been eventing since 2021 with some excellent results, including a win at Tullymurry 2 last July in an EI90 class of 23. Runner up, with a score of 72.3, was Carys Black with Glencairns Little Monkey, a nine-year-old pony, with whom she completed six runs last year under Eventing Ireland rules. 16-year-old Carys from Bangor, a member of North Down Pony Club, has had very consistent results to date at the Flexi Eventing and is currently equal third on the leader board.
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Next week is the final Qualifying day, although Flexi will continue on February 24, after which all the prizes will be presented in a formal ceremony.
As always, huge thanks go to Title Sponsor, Judy Maxwell of Baileys Horse Feeds, as well as Treo Eile and Area 17 of the Pony Club for their generous support of this League.
Thanks, too, to the merry band of helpers, who work so hard on these long, busy days to keep all three phases running smoothly.
RESULTS
Saturday, February 10
Dressage
Intro ‘A’ – Judge: Lucinda Webb-Graham:
1) Katie McKee, Mia; =2) Holly Rice, Supreme Dream; Kaiti McCann, Cookie; Ros Morgan, VOS Surprise; 5) Sophie Clugston, Something Similar; 6) Sarah Cowan, Lady Remarque.
Intro ‘B’ – Judge: Corey Mawhinney:
1) Robert Newell, Louis; 2) Gracie Thompson-Logan, Fiddain Dash; 3) Ella Rose Sands, Rosie; 4) Sophie Cathcart, Maverick; 5) Barbara Johns, Drumhowan Darlin Jazz; 6) Hannah Whittle, Red.
Intro ‘C’ – Judge: Sally Hodgkinson:
1) Katie McKee, Bear; 2) Carys Black, Glencairns Little Monkey; 3) Zara Reid, Greylands Diamond Girl; 4) Jessica McClements, Finlay; 5) Jamie-Lee Mark, Tilly; 6) Eve Lindsay, Arctic Light.
Pre-Novice ’A’ - Judge: Corey Mawhinney:
1) Caroline McQuillan, Belle Saru; 2) Claire Ireland, Goin’ For Gold; =3) Rebekah McKinstry, HVL Jackpot; Katie McKee, Bear; 5) Freya Kennedy, Song; 6) Emma Stewart, Loughnageer Prince.
Pre-Novice ’B’ - Judge: Sally Hodgkinson:
1) Felicity McConnell, Easy Pleased; 2) Rachel Ferres, Benny; 3) Eve Fitzsimmons, Tiboy Des Etisses; 4) Katie O’Reilly, Dreamer; 5) Tilley Tumilty, Wee Fella; =6) Freya Kennedy, Sunny; Kim Constable, Urneypark Big Cat; Ian McCluggage, Lir
Novice - Judge: Lucinda Webb-Graham:
1) Denis Currie, Arodstown Aramis; 2) Erin McCrea, Eisfee; 3) Erin McCrea, Rubane Candy; 4) Kim Constable, Urneypark Big Cat; 5) Alex Houston, Dinky; 6) Claire Ireland, Goin’ For Gold.
Intermediate - Judge: Lucinda Webb-Graham:
1) Denis Currie, Arodstown Aramis; 2) Alex Houston, Indy; 3) Lucy Johnston, Dolce; 4) Nichola Wray, Dylan.
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Show jumping (double clear)
70cm:
Claire Ireland, Molly’s Prince; Edna Lyness, Thunder; Henry McCarthy, Balnashallog Goldfinch; Molly Reid, Little Me; Violet Campbell, Mourne Maverick.
80cm:
Aimee-Leigh Bailie, Villa Prince; Charlie Watson, Lucky; Chloe Hamilton, Spice; Ella Rose Sands, Rosie; Emma Thompson, Lily; Gordon Ireland, Molly’s Prince; Jessica Byrne, Crunchie; Jessica McClements, Mr Murphy; Karina McVeigh, Cococabana; Laoise Clancy, Tessa; Robyn Rice, My Isabella; Rosie Strain, Angel; Sarah Cowan, Lady Remarque; Stacey Watling, Spice.
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90cm:
Abbie Harkness, Melody; Adam Sossick, Loughview Verdell; Aimee-Leigh Bailie, Villa Prince; Annie Connell, Alfie; Barbara Johns, Drumhowan Darlin Jazz; Carys Black, Glencairns Little Monkey; Catherine Sloan, Midnight Fox; Chloe Hamilton, Spice; Darren Irwin, Juno; Gaby Kirk, Roly; Gareth Saunderson, Rocky; Grace McIlroy, Ace; Gracie Thompson-Logan, Fiddain Dash; Isaac McCarthy, Hollywood Pippin; Jamie-Lee Mark, Tilly; Jessica McConnell, Derry; Kaiti McCann, Cookie; Kiera James, Corey; Lucy Bell, George; Isabella Irwin, MollyXX; Sarah Sloan, Lily; Zara Reid, Greylands Diamond Girl; Jenna Morton, Estella Great Expectations; Jenny McCurry, Kate by Echo.
1m:
Adam Sossick, Loughview Diamond Cora; Aine Clancy, Eve; Ellen Douglas, Yogi; Gaby Kirk, Roly; Gareth Saunderson, Rocky; Jenny McCurry, Kate By Echo; Jess Vaughan, Maho Beach; Jim Maneely, Fred; Maya Constable, Rock On Pedro; Jessica McConnell, Derry; Karen Greer, Sully; Maya Constable, Duncarbery Cascade; Maya Constable, Long Way From The White Hill; Megan Stewart, Sid; Robert Newell, Louis; Tara Liggett, Thomas; Tegan McCormack, Heidi; Jane McClean, Minnie; Jacyln Hutchinson, Ashfield Dreamchaser; Hannah Maneely, Freda.
1.10m:
Aine Clancy, Ollie; Darren Irwin, Andy; Ellen Douglas, Dory; Jim Maneely, Billy; Jenny McCurry, Kate By Echo; Rachel Chapman, Paris; Kirsty Bates, Banoffee; Britt Megahey, R Showman; Mark Harley, Jimmy.
1.20m:
Alfie Adair, Beauty; Anita Doherty, Goldiva; Hannah Burns, Beach Buoy.
Cross-Country (clear rounds)
70cm:
Henry McCarthy, Balnashallog Goldfinch; Evie Harcrow, Pony.
80cm:
Ella Rose Sands, Rosie; Lynsey Kennedy, Izzey; Robyn Rice, My Isabella; Rosie Strain, Angel; Sarah Cowan, Lady Remarque; Zara Reid, Kingsman Dave; Hollie Woods, Molly; Holly Rice, Supreme Dream; Isaac McCarthy, Hollywood Pippin; Julie Coombs, Bruno; Karen Pearson, Cora; Kate Russell, Bingo; Katie Boggs, Gorthill Crunch; Kerry Parkhill, Lola; Lisa Mitchell-Talbot, Liadan Gal; Barbara Johns, Drumhowan Darlin Jazz; Caitlin Brown, Rua Rebel; Claire Kirkwood, Dominoes Way; Grace McIlroy, Ace.
90cm:
Catherine Cowan, OSH Atero; Jessica Mulgrew, Knockagarron Emperor; Rosey Herron, Twentypark Emperess; Lucy Bell, George; Sophie Clugston, Something Similar; Stacey Watling, Red; Una McSorley, Holly; Zara Reid, Greylands Diamond Girl; Kaiti McCann, Cookie; Freya Fisher, Hughie; Gracie Thompson-Logan, Fiddain Dash; Isabella Irwin, Molly xx; Kaitlyn Mallaghan, Mr Pitt; Katie McKee, Noah; Alex Houston, Dinky; Amy Smyth, Lisross Irish Knight; Anna Morrow, Squirrel; Beatrice Brown, Dartry Ranger; Carys Black, Glencairns Little Monkey; Charlie Watson, Leamore Girl.
1m:
Katelyn Irvine, Kensington Absolute; Aine Clancy, Eve; Olivia Johns, Lagans Peter; Robyn Rice, Holiday Kruising; Rosie Mullan, Ballymac Boy; Stacey Watling, Belle; Zara Smyth, Tilly; Freya Kennedy, Song; Holly Ross, Star of Hollymount; Freya Kennedy, G; Ian McCluggage, Lir; Kathryn Knox, Springvale O’Grady; Megan Carson, Captain Cruzdown.