Sunny day for RDA Regional Qualifier
Extremely high standards in dressage and Countryside Challenge classes
The Northern Ireland Regional Qualifier for the RDA National Championships at Hartpury University in July took place at Laurel View Equestrian Centre, Templepatrick on Wednesday, May 8, a beautiful sunny day, which felt extra special given the recent endless rainfall.
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:
As always, grateful thanks go to Robert and Linda Davis and their staff for hosting RDA, and to all the volunteers who stepped up to contribute to the success of the day, especially Judith Watt, whose tireless efforts resulted in a very efficient and well-run event.
A total of 19 riders competed in the various dressage classes, so ably judged by Ivor Harper, upon whom the organisation depend heavily, as he is the only RDA approved judge in Northern Ireland.
Thank you to Ivor for all his help and advice - he is indispensable!
The standard was extremely high, with everyone achieving a qualifying score of 60% or more, but only the first two in each class can go to Hartpury. The Class Champions in Dressage with the highest scores overall were Alesha McCrossan on ‘Clover’ (Omagh) in Juniors and Thea Dorman also riding ‘Clover’ from Omagh took the Senior trophy home.
14 riders in total have qualified to go to the championships, but it is not yet known how many will be able to make the trip.
There were 18 competitors in the Countryside Challenge Classes and again the standard was high, with everyone achieving a qualifying score of 65%. Barbara Hanna and Patricia McLean are brilliant judges and grateful thanks go to them and their scribes also for producing some excellent results. Class Champions here were Alesha McCrossan (Omagh) in Juniors - well done Alesha for achieving the double! There was a tie in the Seniors between Brenda Ross and Holly Hanvey from East Antrim, who have agreed to share the Trophy, amicably it is hoped!
It was a pleasure to see so many children from local groups competing for probably the first time in their lives; there were rosettes all round and lots of smiles, so it appeared that they enjoyed themselves.
It only remains to wish everyone the very best of luck at Hartpury, with hopefully some better weather than last year, and to thank everyone for their contribution to making it such an enjoyable and happy day.
RESULTS
Wednesday, May 8
NI Regional Qualifier for RDA National Championships
Countryside Challenge
Class 2 CC Non Qualifying Junior - Led With 2 Side Walkers:
1) Nico Dougan, Guinness, East Antrim 81.75; 2) Noah McClean, Tyson, East Antrim 80.00; 3) Jake McNeill, Matilda, Antrim 77.75; 4) Jamie Dundee, Guinness, East Antrim 76.25; 5) Eva Gawn, Matilda, East Antrim 74.50; 6) Charli Bradley, Guinness, East Antrim 74.25; 7) Lucas Bell, Tyson, Antrim 73.00; 8) Darcy Nicholl, Guinness, East Antrim 72.50.
Class 3 CC Qualifer Senior - Led With 1 Side Walker:
1) Josie Henly, Ben, Newtownards 89.75.
Class 4 CC Qualifer Junior - Led With 1 Side Walker:
1) Brooke McCrossan , Blossom, Omagh 80.75; 2) Katie Boothe, Dobby, Omagh 76.25.
Class 5 CC Qualifer Senior - Led Or 1 Side Walker:
1) Grace Daly, Charlie, Newtownards 84.00; 2) Chantelle Fox, Blossom, Omagh 79.25.
Class 7 CC Qualifier Senior - Independent:
=1) Holly Hanvey, Jeeves, East Antrim; Brenda Ross, Ben, East Antrim 92.25; 2) Bobby McAllister, Jeeves, Newtownards 91.00; 3) Thea Dorman, Blossom, Omagh 84.00.
Class 8 CC Qualifier Junior - Independent:
1) Alesha McCrossan, Blossom, Omagh 86.25.
Dressage
Class 9 Intro To Dressage Walk Only, Junior:
1) Brook McCrossan, Stevie, Omagh 71.19; 2) Sophie Givans, Blossom, Omagh 70.71; 3) Katie Booth, Dobby, Omagh 66.43.
Class 10 Intro To Dressage Walk Only, Senior:
1) Cathy Smyth, Mario, Minnowburn 69.05; 2) Josie Henly, Charlie, Newtownards 68.57; 3) Chantelle Fox, Stevie, Omagh 67.86; 4) Victoria Dolan, Stevie, Omagh 67.62; 5) Helen McAuley, Tyson, Ballyclare 64.29; 6) Fiona Armson, Mario, Minnowburn 60.24.
Class 11 Intro To Dressage Walk/trot - Champ Test 2022, Junior:
1) Ellen McGuckin, Blossom, Omagh 74.00.
Class 13 Grade 6 Walk/trot - Champ Test 2022, Junior:
1) Alesha McCrossan, Clover, Omagh 76.67; 2) Saoirse Gilroy, Clover, Omagh 74.44.
Class 14 Grade 6 Walk/trot - Champ Test 2022, Senior:
1) Thea Dorman, Clover, Omagh 73.33; 2) Brenda Ross, Ben, East Antrim 67.50.
Class 20, Grade 4 Champ Test 2022, Senior:
1) Naomi Elkin, Joyce Boy, Omagh 66.75.
Class 22 Grade 7 Canter Champ Test 2002, Senior:
1) Holly Hanvey, Jeeves, East Antrim 69.29.
Class 26 Grade 2 Champ Test 2022, Senior:
1) Barbara Simpson, Mario, Minnowburn 70.00.
Class 34 Grade 7 Walk/trot - Champ Test 2022, Senior:
1) Bobby McAllister, Charlie, Newtownards 71.19; 2) Grace Daly, Charlie, Newtownards 65.48.