Stiff competition in Pony Working Hunter Championship at Hagans Croft
Four-week league with NIF Qualifiers now underway
Saturday, October 7 saw Hagans Croft Equestrian’s four-week Working Hunter League and NIF Qualifiers get underway. With 11 classes on offer, starting at 60cm up to 1m, there is something for everyone - whether riders would like to qualify for the NIF or not, everyone is welcome.
The horse classes started at 10am and competitors were out early, walking the course of nine fences and planning out their set show, which was to be performed in front of judge, Julie Donaghy Simpson.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9b6f55a0-7d9d-44dd-99ca-3da45c97e53d_1111x869.jpeg)
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:
The first class of the day was the 60cm and Four-year-old Working Hunter horse NIF class. It was great to see Louise Reid back at this venue with her four-year-old 'Bertie'; Louise loves to compete in Working Hunter at this venue and looks forward to the leagues coming up in the Autumn and Spring. It was first place for Louise and 'Bertie' and second place for Fiona Sweeney and 'Stella'.
It was then on to the 70cm class, where only three clear rounds were to be seen in the jumping phase. Shirley Anderson and 'Diago' impressed the judges in their show phase, receiving top marks for their tack and turnout, leaving them on a finishing score of 93/100 and first place; second place went to Karen Connolly and her beautiful grey gelding 'Herbie'.
Marina Stewart and 'Troy' took the win in the 80cm class, with Shirley Anderson and 'Diago' in second place. There were no takers for the 85cm Small Working Hunter class, therefore the course was adjusted for the 90cm class, where clear rounds were hard to achieve. Both Marina and Megan Stewart had unfortunate poles down across the course, therefore the show phase proved important to gain those extra marks. Marina and 'Troy' took the win, with Megan and 'Murphy' in second place.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff62d26dd-daf7-4769-8fa3-e96f4fdfb893_1111x741.jpeg)
Jenna Morton was out on top form with her new mare 'Estella Great Expectations' and it was great to see the pair having fun, as they jumped around the 1m class. The pair had first place in the bag, delighted with their overall score of 88/100.
It was then time for the championship show, where all first and second placings throughout the horse classes were eligible. With seven competitors coming back into the main arena for the championship, show judge Julie Donaghy Simpson, with assistance from Michael McGaffin, put horses and riders to the test. Demonstrating walk, trot, canter and finishing off with a gallop down the long side, Shirley Anderson and 'Diago' took the coveted title of Horse Champion on the day, with Reserve Champion awarded to Marina Stewart and 'Troy'. Well done ladies!
The afternoon session saw the turn of the ponies, with great entries in each class. Competition was stiff and those clear rounds became even more important to achieve. Julia Kerr rode every fence on her pony 'Cheerna', scoring high with their manners and performance marks to take the win in the 60cm class. The pair were delighted to say the least with their score of 90/100 and even moreso when they heard they were eligible for the championship show at the end of the day! Second place in the 60cm class went to Darcey Turley and 'Rossfad Runaway', who were also eligible for the championship show.
The 70cm class saw all five competitors achieve a clear scoreboard in the jumping phase, therefore the show phase was even more important. Finishing on 92/100, Imogen took the win for their impeccable manners and performance in their show and top marks for their tack and turnout. Second place went to Lauren O'Rourke and 'Prince', who were delighted with their performance in this class.
The 80cm class was the largest of the day, with a total of nine competitors. With a total of six clears in the jumping phase, it was down to the show phase. Katie Annett and 'Illane Duke' took the win, followed by Aoife Davis and 'Oldtown Starling', both competitors had a superb jumping round, scoring high in their rider style marks and pony’s way of going. An absolute pleasure to watch!
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F039bd685-564c-4457-bdcc-fca22a108d52_1111x816.jpeg)
It was then on to the 90cm class, where it was second place once again for Aoife and 'Oldtown Starling', securing their place once again in the championship class.
After a shaky start in the 80cm class, Rebecca Horner and 'Ballylisk Midnight Lad' had a successful round in the 90cm class, finishing on 92/100 and claimed first place.
Megan Savage took the win in the 1m class on 'Coffee Luke Thunder', a promising start to this pair’s new partnership.
In the Pony Championship, judge Julie Donaghy Simpson had seven ponies and riders to keep an eye on. Watching out for every single detail to allow her to make her decision on who was going to receive champion and reserve champion pony, Julie herself said it was a very tough decision and for some it came down to the gallop! Champion Pony was awarded to Rebecca Horner and 'Ballylisk Midnight Lad' and Reserve Champion Pony was awarded to Katie Annett and 'Illane Duke'. Well done girls!
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa35bec9c-74fd-4a2f-808f-60da2fdfb6c0_1111x741.jpeg)
Hagans Croft would like to thank everyone who supported the first week of their four-week Working Hunter league and NIF Qualifiers. Thanks are extended to judge, Julie Donaghy Simpson; scribe, Michael McGaffin 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, October 7
Working Hunter League & NIF Qualifiers
Working Hunter Horses - Champion Horse: Shirley Anderson, Diago; Reserve: Marina Stewart, Troy.
Class 1 - 60cm Working Hunter Horse & Four-year-old Working Hunter Horse NIF:
1) Louise Reid, Bertie; 2) Fiona Sweeney, Stella.
Class 2 - 70cm Working Hunter:
1) Shirley Anderson, Diago; 2) Karen Connolly, Herbie; 3) Karina McVeigh, Cococabana; 4) Louise Reid, Bertie; 5) Fiona Sweeney, Stella.
Class 3 - 80cm Working Hunter Horse NIF:
1) Marina Stewart, Troy; 2) Shirley Anderson, Diago; 3) Karina McVeigh, Cococabana; 4) Felicity Pierce, Smokey; 5) Karen Connolly, Herbie.
Class 4 - 80cm Working Hunter Cob:
No Entries.
Class 5 - 85cm Small Working Hunter Horse (not exceeding 158cm) NIF:
No Entries.
Class 6 - 90cm Working Hunter Horse NIF:
1) Marina Stewart, Troy; 2) Megan Stewart, Murphy.
Class 7 - 1m Working Hunter Horse NIF:
1) Jenna Morton, Estella Great Expectations.
WORKING HUNTER PONIES
Champion Pony: Rebecca Horner, Ballylisk Midnight Lad; Reserve: Katie Annett, IIIane Duke.
Class 8 - 60cm Working Hunter Pony NIF Starter Stakes & M&M:
1) Julia Kerr, Cheerna; 2) Darcy Turley, Rossfad Runaway; 3) Zara Trimble, Mighty Meeko; 4) Hannah Trimble, Lola; 5) Violet Campbell, Jet.
Class 9 - 70cm Working Hunter Pony NIF Starter Stakes & M&M:
1) Imogen Gray, Mountfield Temple Boy; 2) Lauren O'Rourke, Prince; 3) Darcy Turley, Rossfad Runaway; 4) Ava Phillips-Martin, Taras Lady; 5) Violet Campbell, Jet.
Class 10 - 80cm Working Hunter Pony NIF 133cm also M&M:
1) Katie Annett, Illane Duke; 2) Aoife Davis, Oldtown Starling; 3) Isaac McCarthy, Hollywood Pippin; 4) Ava Phillips-Martin, Taras Lady; 5) Kerry McGrady, Fonzie; 6) Isaac McCarthy, Balnashallog Goldfinch.
Class 11 - 90cm Working Hunter Pony NIF 143cm also M&M:
1) Rebecca Horner, Ballylisk Midnight Lad; 2) Aoife Davis, Oldtown Starling; 3) Kerry McGrady, Fonzie; 4) Emily Turley, Budore Mystic Legend; 5) Eva Kennedy, Nicely Dun Darcy; 6) Kara Cosgrave, Letterfinish Ollie.
Class 12 - 1m Working Hunter Pony NIF 153cm:
1) Megan Savage, Coffee Luke Thunder.