Summer jumping at Connell Hill Training Show
Randalstown venue offers classes from cross-poles up to 1.20m on Saturday mornings
There is jumping for all levels this Summer at Connell Hill Equestrian, Randalstown. The centre holds training shows every Saturday morning, with classes from cross-poles (assisted and unassisted) up to 1.20m. Registered horse jumping runs every Thursday and classes start at 80cm up to 1.30m. Everyone is very welcome.
Saturday, July 5, at the County Antrim venue saw outdoor tracks set and awaiting the first competitors of the day to take the opportunity of training and brushing up on skill in the luxury of the outdoor arena. The highly-maintained surfaces at Connell Hill, on both the indoor and outdoor arenas, offer great ride-ability and encourage the horse and rider forward to achieve their true potential. Flowing tracks, expertly built by experienced course builder Mr Will Creen, remain in place from the weekly registered shows, ensuring competitors’ training needs meet the highest of standards all round.
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Tracey Manson, with her young horse ‘Milan’ jumped two great rounds in the opening classes of the day, whilst Alec Goodrich on ‘Chief’ took a super double clear and red rosette, kindly sponsored by local business Doagh Equestrian. Alex McKenna-Roy rode Alana Lavery’s ‘Lucy’ in the 70cm class, tying for joint first place with Freya O’Kane on ‘Ziggy’.
Going forward in the 80cm class, with double clears high on the agenda, were Anna Goodrich, John McKirgan, Katie Surgenor, Freya O’Kane and Irene McGookin, all riding super clear rounds. Congratulations to newly-wed Jenny MacDonald-Corbett, who also joined the party, riding a lovely round on ‘Satinka’.
Simon Carson made an entrance into the 90cm class, on his first mount ‘Loki’ and second ‘Flora’, scoring top marks on both horses. Well done also to Frankie Mannison on ‘Daisy’, Annabel Manson on ‘Jessie’ and Randalstown rider, Lily McKenzie partnered with her first mount, ‘Patrick’.
Simon went on to ride again in the metre class on his two mounts, as did Lily McKenzie on her second mount ‘Oreo’. All riders jumped well in this class. Alan Lavery and Gemma Esler jumped two lovely clear rounds, with Gemma going on to jump again in the 1.10m.
Well done to everyone who took part.
Training shows continue every Saturday morning at Connell Hill in Randalstown, with riders, owners and spectators socialising with hot beverages, soft drinks and snacks, soaking up the chilled atmosphere - why not come along and join in?
JULY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Thursday, July 10 - SJI Horse Jumping;
Saturday, July 12 - Horse and Pony Training Show;
Saturday, July 19 - Horse and Pony Training Show;
Thursday, July 24 - SJI Horse Jumping;
Saturday, July 26 - Horse and Pony Training Show;
Thursday, July 31 - SJI Horse Jumping.
Connell Hill is an excellent venue to build confidence week by week and a first-class facility to school around on a Saturday morning, with classes to suit all levels and lots of achievement opportunities and confidence-building going on. There’s always a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Details of results and all events can be found on Gillian Creighton and Connell Hill’s Facebook pages, and SJI Registered show dates are available on www.sjilive.
Indoor and outdoor Arena Hire is available seven days a week (subject to availability) with a full set of coloured poles/show jumps. Bookings can be made online. The centre is easily accessible off the M2 and all major routes. Contact Gillian on 07803 178009 for further details.
Photographs for last week’s SJI Horse Jumping are available on Lyndon McKee Photography FB page.
RESULTS
Saturday, July 5, 2025
Class 1 - Cross-poles:
Tracey Manson, Milan.
Class 2 - 50cm:
Tracey Manson, Milan.
Class 3 - 60cm:
Alec Goodrich, Chief.
Class 4 - 70cm:
Alex McKenna Roy, Lucy; Freya O’Kane, Ziggy.
Class 5 - 80cm:
Ana Goodrich, Harry; Irene McGookin, Jasper; John McKirgan, Dolly; Jenny MacDonald-Corbett, Satinka; Katie Surgeoner, Prince; Freya O’Kane, Ziggy.
Class 6 - 90cm:
Simon Carson, Flora; Simon Carson, Loki; Frankie Mannsion, Daisy; Annabel Manson, Jessie; Lily McKenzie, Patrick.
Class 7 - 1m:
Simon Carson, Flora; Gemma Esler, Rocco; Alana Lavery, Poppy; Lily McKenzie, Oreo; Simon Carson, Loki; Annabel Manson, Jessie.
Class 8 - 1.10m:
Gemma Esler, Rocco.