Silverware finds new homes at Connell Hill

Show jumping competitors battle it out at Winter League finale

Connell Hill, Randalstown, held the final of their Winter Show Jumping League on Saturday, with an array of cups up for grabs across the classes.

The cups and trophies that were up for grabs at the Winter Show Jumping League final at Connell Hill. PICTURES: courtesy of Lyndon McKee

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The cross-poles and 50cm classes, kindly sponsored by Ballyclare-based Clare Farm Supplies started off with birthday girl, four-year-old Elsie Crawford riding ‘Patch’ and taking first place, followed by Lily Crawford riding ‘Candy’ and Logan Talbot on ‘Coco’ taking joint second. Lily Crawford competed again on ‘Candy’ in the 50cm class and took first place, with Logan Talbot taking the Trophy for second.

Winning sisters, Elsie Crawford, who came first in the cross-poles class and Lily Crawford, who won the 50cm class.

The 70cm, 80cm and 90cm classes saw a lot of competition, with some very fast times. Penny Logan on ‘Beau’ took first place in the 70cm class; Myah McLean took first place on ‘Billy’ in the 80cm and the 90cm saw first place going to Chloe McClean on ‘Sammy’.

The metre class saw some good jumping, with Kells-based rider, Wilma Farquhar on ‘Melody’ taking first place with a very fast time. They were followed closely by Caryn Walker riding ‘Ellie’, Kathryn Knox on ‘Springvale O’Grady’ and Leigh Ann Rea riding ‘Nelson’. Well done ladies!

Darra Murphy had a successful day with her four mounts, taking the silverware with ‘Lexei’ in the 1.20m class.

Darra Murphy and ‘Lexie’ won the 1.20m class.

Congratulations to the Trophy winner ‘Best Turned Out’ on the day, Eabha Quinn riding ‘Theo’.

A big thank you to all competitors, grooms and all the sponsors who helped make the Winter League such a great success. All classes were sponsored by Clare Farm Supplies in Ballyclare; Bob Sweeney Equine Ltd; Riddell Windows and Doors in Parkgate and Doagh Equestrian and Farm Feeds.

Gillian, Noel and Jodie Creighton and all the staff at Connell Hill wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Thanks to all competitors who supported the centre throughout the year. Training Shows will commence again in the third week of January 2024 from cross-poles up to 1.20m. All details will be available on Connell Hill Facebook page.

RESULTS

Saturday, December 9

Winter Show Jumping League Final

Cross-poles:

1) Elsie Crawford, Patch; =2) Lily Crawford, Candy; Logan Talbot, Coco.

50cm:

1) Lily Crawford, Candy; 2) Logan Talbot, Coco.

70cm:

1) Penny Logan, Beau; 2) Paige Irwin, Made in Japan; 3) Eabha Quinn, Theo; 4) Emma Gaston, Dora; Anna McCaieg, Harley; Rebecca Murphy, Rosie; Eva Lowry, Shek; Lily McKenzie, Peyroux; Penny Logan, Izzy Wonderful.

Penny Logan and ‘Beau’ took first place in the 70cm class.

80cm:

1) Myah McLean, Billy; 2) Judith Beattie, Duke; 3) Emma Gaston, Dora; 4) Darra Murphy, Jack; Eabha Quinn, Theo; Penny Logan, Izzy Wonderful; Nicole Peoples, Ballyhindon Boy; Eva Lowry, Clancy; Caroline Gaston, Stella; Nicky Nesbitt, Kenny B; Christine Campbell, Barnaby.

Mya McLean and ‘Billy’ won the 80cm class.

90cm:

1) Chloe McClean, Sammy; 2) Christopher Smyth, Sunny; 3) Christine Campbell, Barnaby; 4) Myah McLean, Billy; Caroline Gaston, Stella; Darra Murphy, Justin; Leagh Ann Rea, Nelson; Ellen Bates, Jasper.

Chloe McClean and ‘Sammy’ took the top spot in the 90cm class.

1m:

1) Wilma Farquhar, Melody; 2) Caryn Walker, Ellie; 3) Kathryn Knox, Springvale O’Grady; 4) Leagh Ann Rea, Nelson; Christopher Smyth, Jess; Darra Murphy, Justin; Chloe McLean, Sammy.

1.20m:

Darra Murphy, Lexei.

Wilma Farquhar and ‘Melody’ on their way to winning the 1m class.