Summer shows in full swing
Reports, results and fantastic photos from local equestrian activities
Hello everyone,
We are suddenly into July… Belated Happy Independence Day to any transatlantic readers! Show season is in full swing, with Newry last weekend, Omagh this weekend and only five weeks until the crescendo of the summer, Dublin Horse Show. Alongside those major events are a huge number of other shows and activities that serve to cater for everyone, from cross-poles to Grand Prix show jumping and from Intro to Elementary in dressage… even in a 20m x 60m arena!
The equestrian calendar continues to be busy this weekend, with the Eventing Ireland summer schedule commencing at The Clare; the Northern Showdown being held at Ardnacashel and the IPS Northern Area Show at Gransha, as well as show jumping and dressage competitions… And looking slightly further ahead, the National Balmoral Championships are being held at Balmoral Park outside Lisburn from July 17 until July 20. This is always a fantastic show to attend as a spectator and entry is free, so be sure to go along and enjoy some top-class competition!
Countdown is on until National Balmoral Championships 2025
The highly anticipated National Balmoral Championships return from Thursday, July 17 to Sunday, July 20, bringing together the very best of show jumping talent for four days of top-tier competition.
The Horse&Field calendar gives details of this and numerous other equestrian events - right up until the end of the year. Take a look at what’s listed to help plan your summer outings!
While we are blessed to have so much to choose from in pursuit of our equestrian endeavours, one of the main purposes of this page is to highlight the incredible talent that we have around us, in horse and in human form. In the past week or so, our local equestrian world has very sadly lost two hugely influential men in JW (Woods) Rosbotham and David Prentice, who each contributed immensely to equestrianism here. Sincere condolences are extended to both their family circles.
This Horse&Field newsletter brings you the latest equine news, as well as reports, results and pictures from local competitions and events over the past week or so, including the midweek league finale at Knockagh View; week two of Strule Valley Riding Club’s league; the three-day Summer Show at Portmore; week three of Ardnacashel’s dressage league; week two of Lusk’s show jumping series; pony day at Knockagh View’s Summer Festival; equestrian classes at Newry Show; the two-phase at Tullylish; unregistered show jumping at The Meadows; dressage at Hagans Croft; SJI horse jumping at Connell Hill; the Arches Festival Gymkhana and, in local news, a music bursary is open to appilcants.
Knockagh View league sees incredible support
Knockagh View Equestrian Centre, Greenisland recently held a Midweek show jumping league and organisers were blown away by the support! It was brilliant and they wish to thank everyone who attended and hope you all enjoyed it!
Good turnout at Strule Valley league
Strule Valley Riding Club held the second night of their Annual Summer Show Jumping League on Wednesday, July 2, at Castle Irvine Necarne on a lovely summer’s night. The club would again like to thank those who came along to compete.
Samantha sets the standard at Portmore's Summer Show
Competitors had prepared well for the Three-Day Summer Show at Portmore Equestrian Centre, Aghalee and, as a result, onlookers were treated to some highly competitive classes through the course of the weekend.
Dressage competitors dazzle at Ardnacashel
Week three of the dressage league at Ardnacashel Equestrian, Comber was held on Sunday, June 29 and saw a great turnout of competitors - especially in the intro, newcomers and prelim classes, which bodes well for dressage going forward!
Super day of show jumping at Lusk's
Week two of the Show jumping series at Lusk’s, kindly sponsored by Greenvale Electric, saw another super day of jumping, with an increase in entries this week.
Ponies enjoy Summer Festival fun at Knockagh View
Knockagh View Equestrian Centre held their long-awaited Summer Festival last weekend, with pony classes running at the Greenisland venue on Saturday, in beautiful sunshine.
A great day out at Newry Show
Newry Agricultural Show was held on Saturday, June 28 at Derrywilligan Road, Bessbrook, and saw the usual wide range of attractions, including home industries, craft stalls, horticulture and classes for cattle, sheep, goats and even dogs.
Terrific Two-Phase at Tullylish
In the absence of an affiliated event and in an attempt to provide sport for their members and potential members, the Northern Region ran a Two-Phase at Tullylish, courtesy of Jim and Bronagh Stevenson, on Saturday, June 28.
Unregistered competitors take centre stage at The Meadows
The Meadows Equestrian Centre, Lurgan ran their popular unregistered jumping on Saturday, with lots of talented combinations taking on the challenge of jumping round the professionally designed tracks at heights from cross-poles up to 1.20m.
Hagans Croft dressage league kicks off with new classes added
Saturday, June 28 saw the start of Hagans Croft’s Dressage league and, as well as offering 20x40m short arena dressage tests from Intro to Prelim level, Hagans Croft is now offering 20x60m long arena dressage tests from Prelim to Medium level. Therefore, there is something for everyone, especially those who are wishing to challenge themselves this summe…
Mary Ellen on winning form at Connell Hill
Connell Hill Equestrian Centre in Randalstown once again attracted some of the top show jumping talent from around the country to their SJI Horse Summer League last Thursday.
Festival Gymkhana proves a firm favourite in Randalstown
On Saturday, June 21, Randalstown Arches Association and Mid Antrim Branch of the Pony Club hosted their 2025 Annual Gymkhana, as part of the Randalstown Festival Week.
In local news:
The Gerry Anderson music bursary open for application
A new £5,000 bursary honouring the legendary Gerry Anderson is now open for applications.
Just click anywhere on this email to open the Horse&Field page or click on any individual story to read it in full and see the fantastic images that accompany each of them!
Feel free to like the stories and share the links and do follow Horse&Field on Instagram: horseandfield2023 and, please note, the podcasts are now available on Spotify, as well as on the Substack page!
Further details on the above and more are available by clicking on the stories or visiting Horse&Field and having a scroll through - there are now over 1,000 articles to choose from, with a search facility to find what you wish to read!
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 spring, so if you know of any events that aren’t yet listed, please let us know by emailing: horseandfield@gmail.com!
Horse&Field Calendar
Calling all horse enthusiasts! As the seasons change, so does the equestrian calendar, filled with exciting events and competitions that bring the equestrian community together.
To new subscribers, welcome! You will receive this newsletter twice each week, as well as occasional emails in between - we want to keep you informed, but do not want to overload your inbox!
Please remember that Horse&Field will be updated on a regular basis and you can visit it at any time to find out what is happening. If you wish, you can download the Substack app; you can search online for: horseandfield.substack.com or, if you are subscribed, just click on the email.
If you have any articles or photos to contribute, queries or suggestions, or if there is someone you think deserves to be featured in Horse&Field, please do send an email to horseandfield@gmail.com
Thanks for reading!