Northern Lights, building bridges
Riding Club hosts cross-border Inter-Club Show Jumping Challenge
As a club, Northern Lights NI Riding Club likes to bring like-minded equestrian enthusiasts together, to share experiences and support each other. Through an ‘off the cuff’ suggestion to hold an Inter-Club Show Jumping Challenge event, it was agreed to give it a go. However, Northern Lights NI Riding Club are known for not doing things by half, they decided to open the day up to members of any Riding Club or Pony Club, north or south of Ireland. The competition was held at RDA Causeway Coast and Glens Arena, Coleraine.
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:
Through having Riding Clubs and Pony Clubs eligible to compete, it provided a rare opportunity for families to compete together. So, for the first time ever, competitions were held for anyone on the island of Ireland that was eligible to enter.
Well, organisers were not prepared for the overwhelming support; and in particular from their friends in Donegal Gaeltacht Riding Club and East Donegal Pony Club and, closer to home, the Route Hunt Branch, Tullylagan and North Derry Pony Clubs.
The day was aimed at riders of all abilities, starting with 30/40cm individuals up to 1 metre, then separate team combinations from 50/60cm to 90cm/1m. It was lovely to hear the spectators cheering on other competitors, adding to the atmosphere. There were friendships formed and promises of getting together again.
Many thanks to Rosaleen Harkin, chef d’équipe for the Donegal entries; Lisa-Marie McFadden and Fred White for overseeing Route Hunt Pony Club riders.
All Individual first place winners received the prize of a rug and Oliver McGlinchey, having won two first place prizes, very kindly passed his prize of a rug down to the second place winner, as did Eva McElveena. Camaraderie like this is a heart-warming sight. Second place winners received saddle cloths and third place winners received head collars with lead ropes – this is in keeping with a promise made at the formation of Northern Lights NI Riding Club, when it was agreed that it would give back to competitors.
The winning team received a perpetual shield, along with individual sashes and rosettes, with second and third place prizes as above.
Kevin of Hoof and Rim Photography was on site all day; any enquiries for photographs are to be sent to Kevin via Facebook. Thank you to Donegal Daily, who posted an online write up.
Holding the club’s events at RDA Causeway Coast Arena supports the provision of free therapeutic rides, aiming to meet the needs of the local community. It may not be widely known, but, the Riding for Disabled do not receive any Government funding and is solely dependent on fundraising to be able to offer the much-needed structured and therapeutic rides; hence, everyone’s support is very much appreciated.
The Northern Lights NI Riding Club caters for Lead Rein to the more experienced rider. To find out more about the Northern Lights NI Riding Club, visit their Facebook page.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Sunday, September 3: Showing Show (pre-enter – late/on the day entries additional £5); Show Jumping and dog show; enter on the day, crafts stalls pre booked £10.
Sunday, October 8: Winter Cash Jumping League starts; £5 from each entry in the separate classes is banked for the final of the league.
RESULTS
Individual Classes
30/40cm:
1) Oliver McGlinchey, Curolea Rosie, Northern Lights NI Riding Club (NLNIRC); 2) Harry Campbell, Sunshine (NLNIRC).
50cm:
1) Oliver McGlinchey, Curolea Rosie (NLNIRC); 2) Eva Melveena, Leo Tully Lagan Pony Club (TLPC); 3) Tierna McLaughlin, REME (NLNIRC).
60cm:
1) Eva Melveena, Leo (TLPC); 2) Hannah Friel, Rocket, East Donegal Pony Club (EDPC); 3) Erica Dixon, Rosie (NLNIRC).
70cm Junior:
1) Anna Welch, Shaun, Route Branch of Pony Club (RHBPC); 2) Alice Duddy, JD Forever Blue, North Derry Pony Club (NDPC); 3) Rebecca Coulter, Portia (NLNIRC).
70cm Senior:
1) Liz Potter, Clyde, Donegal Gaeltacht Riding Club (DGRC); 2) Jackie Surgenor, Angus (NLNIRC).
80cm Junior:
1) Katie McDonald, Molly, Tullylagan Pony Club (TLPC); 2) Ếabha Brennan, BSH Golden Boy (EDPC); 3) Alice Duddy, JD Forever Blue (NDPC).
80cm Senior:
1) Helen Foregrave, Chance (NLNIRC); 2) Rachel Harding, Penny (NLNIRC).
90cm Junior:
1) Katie McDonald, Barry (TLPC); 2) Katie McDonald, Pebbles; 3) Joe Harding, Louie (NLNIRC).
90cm Senior:
1) Mickey McHugh, Kelifa (DGRC).
1m Junior:
1) Tara Brannon, Carnone Annabelle (EDPC); 2) Hannah Funston, Berryburn Shooting Start (NDPC); 3) Rebecca Coulter, Sam (NLNIRC).
1m Senior:
1) Clifford Haley, Sally Clover Supreme (DGRC).
Team Classes
50/60cm Juniors:
1) Northern Lights Shining Starts: Erica Dixon, Rosie; Katie Surgenor, Prince; Oliver McGlinchey, Curolea Rosie; Harry Campbell, Sunshine; 2) Route Hunt Branch of Pony Club: Caitlin McFadden, Braveheart Bobby; Anna Welch, Shaun; Sophie Welch, Tammy; Emmie Dallat, Tammy.
50/60cm Mixed:
1) Northern Lights Team A: Erica Dixon, Rosie; Jackie Surgenor, Angus; Katie Surgenor, Prince; Rachel Harding, Penny.
70/80cm Juniors:
1) Northern Lights Team B: Katie Surgenor, Prince; Rebecca Coulter, Portia; Joe Harding, Louie; Rebecca Coulter, Cruising Along Finn.
70/80cm Mixed:
1) Donegal Has It All: Hannah Friel, Rocket; Ếabha Brennan, BSH Golden Boy; Ella McLaughlin, Lily; Liz Potter, Clyde.
90cm/1m Mixed:
1) Donegal Dream Team: Sophie Bonner, Riverfield Kanna Fanta; Ellie Simms, Carnone Diamond Beach; Jenny Bonner; Autumn Carnone; Mickey McHugh, Kelifa; 2) Northern Lights Team C: Helen Foregrave, Ziggy; Joe Harding, Maisie; Rebecca Coulter, Sam; Helen Foregrave, Chance; 3) Donegal Dynamite: Ếabha Brennan, Millfields Kilnascully; Tara Brennan, Carnone Annabelle; Emily Schneider, My Boy Boysie; Clifford Haley, Sally Clover Supreme.