Northern Showdown: a super day out at Ardnacashel

A great atmosphere and hot competition added to the show experience

What a lovely, sunny day it was, for the mostpart, for the annual Northern Showdown Show at Ardnacashel Equestrian, Comber - there were a few random spells of gusty wind and rain showers, which took their toll on some of the results sheets!

Champion, Anthea Steele on ‘Rotherwood Its The Business’ and Reserve Champion, Megan Hamill on ‘Redwood Quality Street’, pictured with judges Megan Norton and Declan O'Neill at Ardnacashel’s Northern Showdown Show. PICTURES: courtesy of Black Horse Photography

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:

Nevertheless, the atmosphere was great and the competition was on fire. Ella's Kitchen was hiving with customers and collecting areas were buzzing with laughter.

The Show Rings were kept busy and the judges had their work cut out choosing their winners. Declan O'Neill and Megan Norton were the two making the decisions in the Horse Ring and Amanda Telford was doing the choosing in the Pony Ring.

The In-Hand Ring was judged by David Kirkpatrick. Using his wealth of showing knowledge, David placed the handlers and riders throughout the day.

The Working Hunter Ring was judged by experienced judge, Alex Spencer. This ring was the busiest of the day and catered for both Horse and Pony classes throughout the day.

Daniel Moore and ‘Charlie’, winners of the 40cm Working Hunter Pony class and Reserve Champion at Ardnacashel’s Northern Showdown Show.

A huge thank you is extended to all the judges: Alex Spencer, Amanda Telford, Declan O'Neill, Megan Norton and David Kirkpatrick.

Black Horse Photography were on hand to capture the action from across the various classes.

RESULTS

Saturday, July 6

SHOW PONIES - Judge: Amanda Telford

Ridden Connemara:

1) Chloe Rooney, Fairyhill Markle; 2) Anthea Steele, Prince.

Newcomers:

1) Connie Gray, Joker; 2) Oliver Murphy, Reggie; 3) Ella Dickson, Skyfall; 4) Carla Owens, Brackenfinch Bon Bon.

Champion:

Chloe Rooney, Fairyhill Markle; Reserve: Connie Gray, Joker.

Family Pony:

1) Alex Hemsley, Walseker Da Vinci; 2) Jorja Dickson, Skyfall; 3) Connie Gray, Joker; 4) Rosie Turkington, Amber.

Ridden Pony:

1) Anthea Steele, Rotherwood Its The Business; 2) Alex Hemsley, Walseker Da Vinci.

Veteran Pony:

1) Alex Hemsley, Walseker Da Vinci; 2) Daniel Moore, Charlie.

Champion:

Anthea Steele, Rotherwood Its The Business; Reserve: Alex Hemsley, Walseker Da Vinci.

IN-HAND - Judge: David Kirkpatrick

Potential Hunter 1-3:

1) Edel Quinn, Ballynamaddy Belter.

Connemara 1-3:

1) Denver Logan, Lady Irene; 2) Megan Magill, Clonbon Girl.

Connemara 4+:

1) Julie Coffey, Tio Pepe; 2) Ellie Scott O'Prey, Flesk.

Irish Draught 1-3:

1) Terry Harper, Rockrimmon Big Daddy; 2) Edel Quinn, Ballynamaddy Belter.

Terry Harper and ‘Rockrimmon Big Daddy’, alongside owner Karen Jeffery, winner of the Irish Draught one to three-year-old class and Reserve Champion at Ardnacashel’s Northern Showdown Show.

Irish Draught 4+:

1) Brian Murphy, The Lord Finn.

Champion:

Denver Logan, Lady Irene; Reserve: Terry Harper, Rockrimmon Big Daddy.

Coloured Horse:

1) Ellie Scott O'Prey, Rowreagh Wings Of Joy; 2) Steven McDowell, Rowreagh Full of Funk; 3) Isabella Dixon, Blue Diamond.

M&M Pony:

1) Ellie Scott O'Prey, Flesk.

Traditional Cob:

1) Megan McQuat, Moorestown Early Dawn; 2) Ellie Scott O'Prey, Rowreagh Wings Of Joy; 3) Dani Regan, Rowreagh Full of Funk.

Megan McQuat and ‘Moorestown Early Dawn’, winners of the In-Hand Traditional Cob class and Championship at Ardnacashel’s Northern Showdown Show.

SHOW HORSES

Middle/Heavy Weight Hunters:

1) Megan Hamill, Redwood Quality Street.

Megan Hamill and ‘Redwood Quality Street’, winners of the Middleweight Hunter class at Ardnacashel’s Northern Showdown Show.

Small Hunters:

1) Grace Morton, Archie; 2) Abi Gardner, Blennerville Cavallino; 3) Mary Brady, Juno.

Irish Draughts:

1) Terry Harper, Archie.

Champion:

Grace Morton, Archie; Reserve: Megan Hamill, Redwood Quality Street.

Rachel Conn and ‘Murphy's Delight’, winner of both the Four-Year Old and the Amateur Working Hunter classes at Ardnacashel’s Northern Showdown Show.

Traditional Cob:

1) Daniel Kennedy, Smok'em Benny.

Show Cob:

1) Carla Owens, Brackenfinch Bon Bon.

Champion:

Daniel Kennedy, Smok'em Benny; Reserve: Carla Owens, Brackenfinch Bon Bon.

Four-Year-Old Show Horse:

1) Brian Murphy, The Lord Finn; 2) Rebecca Gill, Brymar Royal Village.

Amateur Show Horse:

1) Megan Hamill, Redwood Quality Street; 2) Terry Harper and Archie.

Newcomer:

1) Lindsay Gault, Gillistown Treble 777; 2) Shelley Meah, Bella; 3) Eve Belshaw, Clogher Valley Humbug.

Riding Horse:

1) Anthea Steele, Rotherwood Its The Business.

Veteran Horse:

1) Shelley Meah, Bella; 2) Anna McCraig, Painted By Magic.

Shelley Meah and ‘Bella’, winners of the Veteran class at the Northern Showdown Show at Ardnacashel.

Coloured Horse:

1) Freya Beattie, Max A Million; 2) Cathryn McCarroll, Maggi May; 3) Eve Belshaw, Clogher Valley Humbug.