Storm Bert disrupts local equine activities
Reports, results and photos from local competitions and forthcoming events
Hi folks,
It seems that we have been in some kind of winter weather box-ticking exercise in the past week, with snow, closely followed by extreme rain and flooding (resulting in disruption), then gale force winds… And now freezing fog!
In fact, the forecast arrival of Storm Bert and the yellow weather warning for high winds led to the cancellation or postponement of the majority of local equestrian competitions over the weekend, particularly on Sunday, when the only thing that wasn’t cancelled was the dressage at Lusk Equestrian, near Lisburn. As it turned out, the 40+mph winds seemed to arrive overnight on Saturday and may not have been as bad as expected during the day on Sunday… The photographs from Lusk’s dressage look dry and bright and, no doubt, competitors were glad to be out.
Despite a reduction in the usual competition coverage, there is still plenty of local equine reports and general news to share with you! One very important event that did take place in the past week was NIVA’s launch of their Equine Welfare Priorities report at Stormont - read more by clicking on the story below.
Looking ahead, the new route has been announced for the 18th Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride:
New route announced for Saintfield Santa ride
The 18th Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride is kindly being hosted by Father McHugh and Mary Mother of The Church, 33 Crossgar Road, Saintfield, BT24 7JE on Saturday, December 7. All the Santas will meet at 11am for a mulled wine and mince pie reception, before mounting up and leaving the car park at 12 noon.
This Horse&Field newsletter brings you the latest equine news, as well as reports, results and pictures from local competitions over the past week or so, including week three of the dressage series at Lusk Equestrian; week three of the show jumping league at Ecclesville; coverage of the Pairs league at Mossvale; and registered and unregistered jumping at The Meadows.
Storm Bert fails to stop dressage at Lusk’s
Storm Bert blew in at the weekend, with hurricane winds and flooding everywhere, but fortunately the sun shone on Sunday at Lusk Equestrian, with the arenas in great condition and no sign of wind or rain.
Ecclesville’s League continues
Week three of Ecclesville’s Show jumping League was another great success and the early wintry weather did not deter the many competitors from making their way to Fintona!
Pairs league latest from Mossvale
Poppy Moore and Lesley Fowler were Hot to Trot on Thursday, November 14, winning round two of the pairs league hosted by Mossvale Riding Club at Mossvale Equestrian Centre, Dromara.
Lisa on form at The Meadows
The Meadows Equestrian ran another leg of their SJI Autumn Horse Series, alongside their unregistered Winter League on Saturday, November 16, with some competitive rounds of jumping in both arenas.
In case you missed it, here is a video of the Equine Development Academy Training Day organised by Penny Sangster:
VIDEO VENTURE: Equine Development Academy Training Day
You may have listened to the recent series of podcast interviews with coaches and riders involved with the Equine Development Academy founded by Penny Sangster. Penny’s vision was to set up a support network for coaches, who often work in isolation, while also recognising the hard work put in by riders, who may not be regularly competing or, if there ar…
In local equine news and looking ahead to Christmas:
NIVA calls for equine welfare prioritisation
Following on from a highly successful Equine Welfare Symposium earlier this year and in the wake of numerous equine welfare-related stories hitting the mainstream press, the North of Ireland Veterinary Association has launched a report in the Long Gallery, Stormont, outlining several key equine welfare priorities.
St Vincent de Paul launches annual appeal
Although it can be the most wonderful time of the year, for some families at this time of year, they wonder whether they will have Christmas at all.
Feed manufacturer donates £10,000 to voters’ chosen charities
The SPILLERS™ brand has divided a generous donation of £10,000 between five worthy equine charities, with the proportion donated to each charity chosen by the equestrian community via online voting.
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The Horse&Field calendar lists local equine activities and is updated on a daily basis. We are trying to make the calendar as comprehensive as possible and it currently lists shows and events right up until the end of the year, so if you know of any events that aren’t yet listed, please let us know!
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