Something for everyone at Hagans Croft Working Hunter
More classes on offer at Hagans Croft League, from 'giving it a go' classes to NIF qualifiers
Saturday, March 29 saw the start of Hagans Croft’s Working Hunter League and NIF Qualifiers. With additional classes added across the five-week league, from cross-poles to 1m classes for horses and ponies alike, whether you are wishing to qualify for the Northern Ireland Festival, wishing to gain more mileage before Balmoral or just wanting to give Working Hunter a go, there is something for everyone.
Hagans Croft have built two courses, one in the field for those wishing to give Working Hunter a go, with more inviting fences consisting of rustic poles and small fillers, with classes on offer from cross-poles to 70cm. The main arena is a more challenging course, consisting of more solid, eye-catching fences, starting from 60cm to 1m classes. In this arena, competitors have the opportunity to qualify for NIF.
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The day started out with those competitors who wanted to give Working Hunter a go, as they warmed up in the arena, they then made their way to the field, where judge Hannah Blakely welcomed everyone with a smile and some friendly words of encouragement.
Lizzy Taylor was delighted to gain clear jumping rounds in both the 40cm and 50cm classes, which allowed her access into the championship show for the field classes. Judge Hannah Blakely was really impressed with Lizzy and her pony 'Chester’s' manners and performance in their ridden show and they were awarded the accolade of Champion on the day. Harris Mathers and 'Lena's Clover' gained a successful clear round in the 70cm class and then went on to be awarded 'Reserve Champion' on the day. Both competitors were delighted to receive their beautiful rosettes and organisers hope to see them back again next week.
Classes started in the main arena with the 60cm Working Hunter and four-year-old class and finished with the 1m Working Hunter and NIF qualifier class. The day belonged to Katie Crozier and 'Calagy Day in May', who placed first in the 80cm horse class with a super clear round in their jumping phase and a consistent yet mannerly performance in their show phase to achieve a score of 91/100.
The pair went into the Championship show and really had the opportunity to show off their walk, trot and canter transitions in front of judge Declan O'Neill, with their gallop winning them the accolade of Horse Champion on the day. Reserve Champion was awarded to Ciara Collins and 'Carneyhaugh Talisman'. The pair placed first in the 90cm horse class, which made them eligible for the horse championship show. The pair really impressed the judge with consistency through their transitions and manners and performance throughout. A great day at the office. Well done girls!
After the lunch break, it was the turn of the ponies. Eva Kennedy and 'Nicely Dun Darcy' took champion pony on the day, this formidable pair finished on a top score of 86/100 in the 1m class, which set them up for the championship class at the end of the day. Admittedly, judge Declan O'Neill had a tough championship to judge, but Eva and 'Nicely Dun Darcy's' consistency throughout and seamless transitions, finished off with a fantastic gallop down the long side stole the championship! Reserve Champion pony went to Megan Dumigan and 'Horeb Captain Marvel', who placed first in the 80cm class and went into the championship with impeccable manners and a foot-perfect performance. Well done to both competitors.
Hagans Croft would like to thank everyone who supported the first week of their five-week Working Hunter league and NIF Qualifiers. Thanks are extended to judges Declan O'Neill and Hannah Blakely, scribes Katie and Sophia, and all the stewards and arena party for making the event run so smoothly. This event is pre-entry only, with entries taken via Hagans Croft’s website: www.haganscroftequestrian.co.uk or you can download and enter through the Hagans Croft App. Entries close each Thursday at 9pm prior to Saturday’s event and start times are posted online on Thursday evenings. Photographs can be purchased online from Black Horse Photography.
To find out more about the league, please contact Gillian on 07849 106453 or go to the website: www.haganscroftequestrian.co.uk
RESULTS
Saturday, March 29
Working Hunter League & NIF Qualifiers - week one
Main Arena
WORKING HUNTER HORSES
Champion Horse: Katie Crozier, Calagy Day in May; Reserve: Ciara Collins, Carneyhaugh Talisman.
Class 1 - 60cm Working Hunter Horse & Four-year-old Working Hunter Horse NIF:
1) Charley Love, A Honey Bee.
Class 2 - 70cm Working Hunter Horse:
1) Claire Walker, Dionigi.
Class 3 - 80cm Working Hunter Horse NIF:
1) Katie Crozier, Calagy Day in May; 2) Nathan Burns, Failte Lad; 3) Antonia Law; 4) Alara Terak, Ossie.
Class 4 - 85cm Small Working Hunter Horse (not exceeding 158cm) NIF:
1) Megan Houston, Western Ocala; 2) Chelsea Lewis, Fanta; 3) Antonia Law.
Class 5 - 90cm Working Hunter Horse NIF:
1) Ciara Collins, Carneyhaugh Talisman; 2) Nathan Burns, Failte Lad; 3) Lorraine Kennedy, Peggy.
Class 7 - 1m Working Hunter Horse NIF:
1) Megan Houston, Western Ocala; 2) Kerry Magill, Bonmahon Quick Step; 3) Ciara Collins, Carneyhaugh Talisman; 4) Aimee McKeown, Russell.
Main Arena
WORKING HUNTER PONIES
Champion Pony: Eva Kennedy, Nicely Dun Darcy; Reserve: Megan Dumigan, Horeb Captain Marvel.
Class 8 - 60cm Working Hunter Pony NIF Starter Stakes & M&M:
No clears.
Class 9 - 70cm Working Hunter Pony NIF Starter Stakes & M&M:
No clears.
Class 10 - 80cm Working Hunter Pony NIF 133cm also M&M:
1) Megan Dumigan, Horeb Captain Marvel; 2) Ellen Rodgers, Killaughey Diamond; 3) Claire Mackay, Crannard King of Hearts; 4) Kara Cosgrave, Lee Villa Ben; 5) Katelyn Thompson, Janesmoor Crackerjack.
Class 11 - 90cm Working Hunter Pony NIF 143cm also M&M:
No clears.
Class 12 - 1m Working Hunter Pony NIF 153cm:
1) Eva Kennedy, Nicely Dun Darcy.
Field Arena
GIVE IT A GO WORKING HUNTER
Champion: Lizzy Taylor, Chester; Reserve: Harris Mathers, Lena's Clover.
Class 14 - Cross-poles:
No Entries.
Class 15 - 40cm:
1) Lizzy Taylor, Chester.
Class 16 - 50cm:
1) Lizzy Taylor, Chester; 2) Myia Latto, Manorlea Calypso.
Class 17 - 60cm:
No clears.
Class 18 - 70cm:
1) Harris Mathers, Lena's Clover; 2) Gracie Hamilton, Benaughlin May.