Randalstown rider 'reins' at Connell Hill

Christopher Smyth and 'Jess' soar to win the 1.20m class at local training show

Saturday, March 29 saw Connell Hill competitors exit the indoor school and spring forward to take on some outdoor jumping at the Randalstown venue!

Despite the changeable weather, competitors achieved great results and the first two classes saw Hanna McCammond on ‘Lacey’ taking home the ribbons. There was close competition between John McKirgan on ‘Dolly’, Rachel Croskery on ‘Dennis’, Lyndsay Martin on ‘Jackson’ and Emma Hoy on ‘Bounty’, all riding clear in the 70cm class.

Rachel Croskery and ‘Dennis’ jumped clear in the 70cm class at Connell Hill’s Unregistered Training Show. PICTURES: courtesy of Lyndon McKee

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:

Emma Gaston won the 80cm class on ‘Crawford’ and the 90cm saw Samantha Hamilton on stallion ‘Zalyn’ take the top spot, very closely followed by Maya Morrison on ‘Reva’ and Conan Boyle on ‘Tullyroe Butternut’.

Alana Lavery, partnered with ‘Poppy’, rode a super double clear in the metre class, matching Christopher Smyth’s successful round on ‘Oreo’. Alana, on her second mount ‘Lucy’ jumped clear again in the 1.10m class.

Randalstown rider Christopher Smyth on his third ride, went on to compete in the final class of the day, this time taking Sam Smyth’s mare ‘Jess’ to the top of the wings in the 1.20m, securing another super round! Congratulations to all riders for such a splendid day’s jumping.

Christopher Smyth on ‘Jess’ jumped an impressive clear in the 1.20m class at Connell Hill’s Unregistered Training Show. PICTURE: courtesy of Lyndsay Smyth

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:

Connell Hill is an excellent venue to build confidence week by week and is a first-class facility to school around on a Saturday morning, with classes to suit all levels, with lots of achievement opportunities and confidence-building going on. There’s always a friendly and welcoming atmosphere and it is a great start to any weekend for riders, owners and spectators to socialise with a cup of coffee and snack.

The next training show will take place this Saturday, April 5, starting at 10am with classes from pony cross-poles (assisted/unassisted) up to 1.20m and everyone is very welcome. Entries are taken on the day.

Details of all events can be found on Gillian Creighton/and Connell Hill Facebook pages, and SJI Registered show dates are available on www.sjilive

Photography for all Connell Hill Events is available on the Lyndon McKee Photography Facebook page.

Judith Beattie and ‘Phoebe’ jumped clear in the 70cm class at Connell Hill’s Unregistered Training Show.

Additional dates for your diary

There are a series of events coming up this month, as Connell Hill will host a Showing and Working Hunter Two-day Festival show, to run over the weekend of April 19 and 20. Horses will compete on Saturday and Ponies on the Sunday. This show will take in all classes in preparation for the Northern Ireland Festival, and is one not to be missed. Entries online and further details available from Gillian Creighton and Connell Hill Facebook pages.

Throughout April at Connell Hill…

April 5 - Unregistered Jumping Training Show

April 12 - Unregistered Jumping Training Show

April 19 and 20 - Showing and Working Hunter Festival at Connell Hill:

• English judges with three rings in operation;

• WH inside, showing outside - entries online via website;

• Top Spec sponsoring supreme horse and supreme ponies for showing and WH 100s of Prizes and Sashes for champions.

April 26 - Unregistered Jumping Training Show.

RESULTS

Saturday, March 29

Connell Hill Training Show

Class 1 - 50cm:

Hanna McCammond, Lacey.

Hanna McCammond and ‘Lacey’ receiving their rosette for jumping double clear in the 50cm class at Connell Hill’s Unregistered Training Show.

Class 2 - 70cm:

John McKirgan, Dolly; Emma Hoy, Bounty; Rachel Croskery, Dennis; Lyndsay Martin, Jackson; Judith Beattie, Phoebe; Sonia Serramia, Ginger; Jack Bell, Buster.

Emma Hoy and ‘Bounty’ jumped clear in the 70cm class at Connell Hill’s Unregistered Training Show.

Class 3 - 80cm:

Emma Gaston, Crawford; Ana Goodrich, Harry; Lindsay Martin, Jackson; Katie McDonald, Buster; Christopher Smyth, Sunny.

Class 4 - 90cm:

Samantha Hamilton, Zalyn; Mya Morrison, Reva; Conan Boyle, Tullyroe Butternut; Ana Goodrich, Harry; Emma Gaston, Crawford.

Samantha Hamilton and ‘Zalyn’ jumped clear in the 90cm class at Connell Hill’s Unregistered Training Show.

Class 5 - 1m:

Christopher Smyth, Oreo; Alana Lavery, Poppy; Gemma Esler, Rocco; Helen Pearson, Luna.

Class 6 - 1.10m:

Alana Lavery, Lucy; Emma Esler, Rocco.

Class 7 - 1.20m:

Christopher Smyth, Jess.