Sibling successes at Connell Hill Training Show
Brilliant jumping across the classes, while this Saturday will see a Charity Show at the venue
Geared up for a great day’s jumping at Connell Hill Equestrian Centre, Cullybackey sisters, Aria and Heidi Gordon, had a two-way win-win with their pony ‘Lily’, with both riders jumping lovely double clear rounds in the cross-poles class, as did brother and sister team, Thomas and Amelia Forbes, partnered with their ponies ‘George’ and ‘Bobo’.
Well done also to cross-pole riders, Mia, Lucy, Barbara and Evie, who achieved double clears all the way! Amelia Forbes went on to secure another lovely double clear round on her pony ‘Bobo’ in the 50cm class.
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Joint first place in the 60cm class went to Stacey Ferguson on ‘Lady’ and Brook Lowry with her pony ‘Betty Blue’.
Next up, with soft hands and a strong leg, Lucca Stubington made a grand entrance in the 70cm class with her young grey four-year-old horse ‘Goofy’, going on to achieve a lovely double clear round on their first outing together. This was matched by Ruby Hitchenor on ‘Misty’, Stacey Ferguson on ‘Lady’ and Mya Graffin on ‘Rhya’.
The 80cm class saw Emma Gaston on ‘Dora’, Conan Boyle on ‘Butternut’ and Sara Kealey on ‘Evie’ all tie for joint first place. Darragh Murphy took the first double clear round in the 90cm class, partnered with her first mount of the day ‘Rocky’ and was closely followed by Irene McGookin on ‘Jasper’ and Tracey Manson on her horse ‘Cherry’.
Saddling up for success in the metre class was local rider Christopher Smith on ‘Fly’, Alexandra McConnell on ‘Bert’, Gary Close on ‘Posie’ and Felicity McConnell on ‘Easy Pleased’. Dungiven rider, Darragh Murphy went on to take two more double clear rounds, one in the 1.10m class and another in the 1.20m class with ‘Justin’.
The final competitor of the day was event rider Lucca Stubington, partnered with her second mount ‘Minnie’, who jumped another super double clear round in the 1.20m class. Well done to everyone who took part!
Charity Show alert!
Connell Hill are hosting a Charity Show this weekend, in aid of Air Ambulance NI, on Saturday, September 28, starting at 10am. CThere will be classes to suit all levels, starting from cross-poles (assisted/ unassisted) up to 1.20m/1.30m. There are prizes for all winners. Entries are taken on the day.
A raffle will also take place, with fabulous prizes to be won, all kindly sponsored by the generosity of many local businesses.
Connell Hill is an excellent venue and first-class facility to school round on a Saturday morning and gain confidence to move up the classes week by week. There are classes to suit all levels, with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
Training Shows will commence again on the first Saturday in October.
Details of the Charity Show and all other events can be found on Gillian Creighton and Connell Hill Facebook pages, and SJI dates for Registered Shows are available on www.sjilive
Everyone is very welcome.
RESULTS
Saturday, September 14
Training Show
Cross-poles:
Mia Connor, Sign on Ash; Lucy Maybin, Piccola; Barbara Murtland, Florance; Evie McCloskey, Poker; Aelia Forbes, Bobo; Thomas Forbes, George; Aria Gordon; Lily; Heidi Gordon, Lily.
50cm:
Amelia Forbes, Bobo.
60cm:
Stacey Ferguson, Lady; Brook Lowry, Betty Blue.
70cm:
Lucca Stubbington, Goofy; Ruby Hitchenor, Misty; Stacey Ferguson, Lady; Myia Graffin, Rhia; Katrina Martin, Ollie; Clodagh Murphy, Whiskey; Brook Lowry, Betty Blue.
80cm:
Emma Gaston, Dora; Conan Boyle, Butternut; Sara Kealey, Evie; Rebecca Millar, Tango; Nicola McGarvey, Millar; Ruby Hitchenor, Misty; Christopher Smith, Oreo.
90cm:
Darragh Murphy, Rocky; Tracey Manson, Cherry; Irene McGookin, Jasper; Orla Reid, Baby; Rebecca Millar, Tango; Emma Gaston, Dora; Sara Kealey, Evie.
1m:
Alexandra McConnell, Bert; Christopher Smith, Fly; Gary Close, Posie; Felicity McConnell, Easy Pleased; Charlotte McAllister, Blaze; Darragh Murphy, Rocky.
1.10m:
Darragh Murphy, Justin, Felicity McConnell, Easy Pleased.
1.20m:
Darragh Murphy, Justin; Lucca Stubbington, Minnie.