Super courses at fabulous Tullymurry event
Northern Region express sincere thanks to hosts and volunteers at latest local event
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The Northern Region landowners and Course Designers have excelled this year to date in raising the bar to challenge and educate members and their trusted steeds. Saturday, July 15 was no exception and it was patently clear how much work Team Tullymurry had invested to pull off another great event in the region.
David O’Connor and Johnny Hagan designed and built four super courses. The fences were superbly presented and were very colourful, even reflecting the artistic creativity of the third generation to be involved in this wonderful Co. Down venue, which was pioneered by the much-loved and highly respected matriarch, Marian Turley.
She and her wonderful team provided a sumptuous lunch befitting Royalty for the Judges and Officials.
The biggest competition of the day came in the EI 110 class, where Jonathan Steele riding the eight-year-old ‘Zirocco Blue VDL’ gelding, ‘Kinetic Blue’, was neck and neck with David O’Connor riding Helen Fletcher’s 14-year-old ‘Cyrano’ gelding, ‘Sir Barnabus’. The pair finished on their dressage score of 26 awarded by Lucinda Webb-Graham; they had the same cross-country time, both clear in show jumping, both on equal collective dressage scores - so the differentiation became the walk mark awarded in dressage, which gave Jonathan the lead by the finest of margins!
The win in the EI 110 Open class went to Steven Smith with ‘MMF Churchill’, his nine-year-old gelding by ‘OBOS Quality’, who moved up two places from his performance at The Clare to finish just over one point clear of Toni Quail and her ‘Mermus R’ mare, ‘Wellan Summertime’, who occupied the same position the previous week.
17-year-old Downpatrick rider, James Murphy, had a mixed day on Saturday. He was euphoric following his well-earned first win in the EI 110 J class with his mother’s nine-year-old gelding, ‘Kylestone Carrick Prince’, having ticked one item off his bucket list by jumping off the drawbridge into the water at Fence 11. However, his celebrations took a turn for the worse later that evening, when a freak accident meant he got his hand impaled on a fence at home. All in the Northern Region wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back in competition gear very shortly. Julia Adams from Maynooth took second place in the class of eight and was the only competitor to deliver a clear show jumping round.
Just two competitors battled it out for supremacy in the EI 110 Amateur class, where Nichola Wray took the honours with her seven-year-old gelding, ‘Dylan’ aka ‘Springhill Showman’. Britt Megahey took it easy around the course, picking up quite a few time faults to slot into second place.
The EI 100 class was more competitive with 11 starters and here, Aaron McCusker’s show jumping track proved very influential. The red rosette this week went to Christina Turley and ‘Ann’s Bob’, a combination seldom out of the top six. They finished on their flatwork mark of 26.5, awarded by Janet Hall, which gave them a 2.5 advantage over Lucy Toombs and ‘Bluestone Ice’, owned by Alison Smith, who also added nothing to the first phase score.
The EI 100 class of 16 saw local girl, Kaiti McCann, move up three places from her first phase to take centre stage with the impressive little mare, ‘Boyher Cookies N Crème’, with whom she has been in successful partnership for two years. They finished fractionally ahead of Steven Smith, making his first appearance with ‘Greenall Gold Dust’, Gail McNab’s five-year-old gelding by the Belgian Warmblood stallion, ‘Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet’.
17-year-old Armagh girl, Zoe Daniel, had plenty to celebrate as she rose to the top of the leader board in the EI 100 J class of nine on her very first outing under Eventing Ireland rules. She was partnering the very accomplished ‘Anvil Lodge Pinnochio’, previously campaigned by Hollie Smith. Despite lowering a coloured pole, they still maintained a margin in excess of three over second placed Aoife Gribben riding Bronwyn Gribben’s ‘Wildfire’.
A delighted Sam Hamilton picked up his winning rosette in the EI 100P class, where he led from the outset, adding just a few cross-country time faults to his flatwork mark on ‘Cahanagh Black Flyer’, finishing with a 3.7 advantage over Molly Goodwin on ‘Grange Flint Surf’, which remedied the disappointment of the previous week when she missed a fence on cross-country.
This week, again, the Northern Region were blessed to be financially supported by a great many sponsors, whose generosity meant that all classes at EI 90 and EI 80, who don’t normally receive prize money, did so, as well as receiving valuable products and services. This gave a great boost to all involved, so please support these businesses who have supported the sport: BJ Owens Contracts; BR Hamilton Racing; Ciaran Carr Contracts; Clough Footcare; Equisuds Equine & Pet Laundry; Eric Strain, Seaford Truck Repairs; Fletcher Architects; Horse First; JF Plastering Contractor; KR Equine Veterinary; Michael Lennon Horse Dentistry; Rooney’s Garage, Dundrum; Ross Property Maintenance; Seaconnell Saddlery; TRI Equestrian NI.
There was a very good entry in the EI 90 class, where Annahilt rider, Ella Boyle beat off stiff competition to take the win with ‘Assagart Treasure’, her five-year-old mare by ‘Ars Vivendi’, which was runner up the previous week at The Clare. They finished on their first phase mark of 24.3, awarded by Coreen Abernethy, over six points clear of their nearest rivals, 15-year-old Elle West from Belfast with ‘Magherard Celtic’, her mother’s nine-year-old gelding by ‘Mullins Celtic’.
Jennifer Gilchrist, flushed with success from her performance at the Pony Club Area Trials earlier in the week, delivered yet again with a back to back win in the EI 90P class on ‘Lackaghmore Vandango’, who completed on the Janet Hall awarded score of 32.3, over six points clear of Mya McMullan and the striking little pony, ‘Edenmore Apache’.
The EI 90 Amateur class of 11 was judged by Yvette Truesdale, who reserved her top marks for Sophie Cowan and ‘Tempo Quickstep’, who, unfortunately, retired mid cross-country. Michaela Donnelly from Co. Monaghan, moved into the top spot with ‘Burke Private Bluebird’, keeping all jumping phases clean. A delighted Nicky Nesbitt, member of the Northern Region Committee, took second place with her special Irish Draught mare, ‘Carrickview Saratoga’, who added just a few cross-country time faults to her first phase score.
Ian McCluggage, competing under EI rules for the first time with Lindsay Martin’s ‘Meadowbank’, proved his worth with a win in the EI 90 Training class. Second place went to debutante, Charlotte Glenn on her amazing little Connemara pony, ‘Paddy Maloney’. The combination’s performance belied the fact that it was their maiden outing, maintaining their second position from the outset.
As is now becoming a standard feature of eventing, the biggest and most competitive class was the EI 80Q with almost 30 competitors. Sadly, the early leader, James Maughan, suffered a setback on cross-country, which left the path to success clear for Siofra Mason and ‘Consequencial’, Amy Salmon’s veteran gelding, who clearly still loves his sport. Siofra was part of Team Tullymurry, who worked so hard over many weeks, painting, decorating and doing other jobs in preparation for the event. Second place went to Una Megoran, who moved up an amazing 15 places from dressage with her Connemara, ‘Rossy April’. This was sweet success for Una, as it was her first time back in the saddle following a serious injury earlier in the year.
Jane McClean from Ardee, Co. Louth, was victorious in the EI 80 Training class with her five-year-old chestnut gelding, ‘McCleans Dream Catcher’. Jane, who is an HSI Level 1 National Performance Coach and who has evented up to CCI3* level, was delighted with her horse’s performance at his first event. Caitlin Brown took second place, also competing for the first time with ‘Rua Rebel’, a five-year-old gelding, jointly owned with her mother, Nicola.
Huge thanks go to the Turley and O’Connor families for a fabulous event and to their liveries and friends, who also helped in the lead up to the event.
Once again, words don’t adequately thank the 70+ volunteers, many of whom had to endure standing out in the (at times) adverse conditions doing call up, arena parties, stewarding, car parking, slip collecting etc to enable the event to run. The Northern Region are the luckiest organisation in the world, because they are surrounded by selfless people, who are prepared to give rather than take. This is very much appreciated by everyone involved in the sport.
Results
Saturday, July 15
Eventing Ireland Northern Region at Tullymurry
EI 110 Open:
1) Steven Smith, MMF Churchill; 2) Toni Quail, Wellan Summertime; 3) Kim Constable, Urneypark Big Cat.
EI 110:
1) Jonathan Steele, Kinetic Blue; 2) David O’Connor, Sir Barnabus; 3) Steven Smith, Hiya Sonny; 4) Neil Morrison, Fire and Fury; 5) Anita Doherty, Goldiva; 6) Steven Smith, The Kings Ransom.
EI 110J:
1) James Murphy, Kylestone Carrick Prince; 2) Julia Adams, Milchem Ardeo; 3) Erin McClernon, Seapatrick Beachball; 4) Tom Rowlatt-McCormick, R Ballerina; 5) Anna White, Kilcoltrim Dora; 6) Lucy McDowell, Glenvine Codename R.
EI 110 Amateur:
1) Nichola Wray, Dylan (Springhill Showman); 2) Britt Megahey, R Showman.
EI 100:
1) Kaiti McCann, Boyher Cookies N Crème; 2) Steven Smith, Greenhall Gold Dust; 3) Katie McKee, Summit; 4) Rachel Ferres, Woodbury Tampa; 5) Adam Haugh, Elamo Sugar Candy Kisses; 6) David O’Connor, Tullymurry Vegas.
EI 100 J:
1) Zoe Daniel, Anvil Lodge Pinnochio; 2) Aoife Gribben, Wildfire; 3) Ruth Barrett, Glenomra Andy; 4) Ellie Leigh Livingstone, Caoranbeag, Cillin; 5) Soul-be Courtney, The Dark Knight Rises; 6) Lucy Maughan, Cuffestown Flyover Lady.
EI 100P:
1) Sam R Hamilton, Cahanagh Black Flyer; 2) Molly Goodwin, Grange Flint Surf; 3) Maya Constable, Duncarbery Cascade; 4) Sarah Gilchrist, Hazeldene Mighty Max; 5) Holly Ross, Ech Feirin; 6) Connie Cullen, Sillogue Sergei.
EI 100 Amateur:
1) Christina Turley, Anns Bob; 2) Lucy Toombs, Bluestone Ice; 3) Jayne Moore, Laylas Way; 4) Dean Salmon, Tullymurry Seana; 5) Rosemary Bellew, Belle Saru; 6) Ann Bowe, Festy Breeze.
EI 100T:
1) Orla Cassidy, Whitetree Lulika; 2) Aimee Webb, Imperial Matriarch.
EI 90:
1) Ella Boyle, Assagart Treasure; 2) Elle West, Magherard Celtic; 3) Katie Robinson, Ophelia Cruise; 4) Sophie Clugston, Question Mark; 5) Tara Dixon, Creevaghstables The Real Deal; 6) Katie Flanagan, Million Dollar Bash.
EI 90 Amateur:
1) Michaela Donnelly, Burke Private Bluebird; 2) Nicky Nesbitt, Carrickview Saratoga; 3) Johanna Herron, Twentypark Emperess; 4) Marie Therese Byrne, The Black Warrior; 5) Pauline Blair, Charley Browne; 6) Rhonda Hall, Red Hot Chili Piper.
EI 90 P:
1) Jennifer Gilchrist, Lackaghmore Vandango; 2) Mya McMullan, Edenmore Apace; 3) Abbie. Harkness, Melody Sunrise; 4) Oliver Kinnear, Polar Man; 5) Oliver Kinnear, Rosedale Sandstorm.
EI 90T:
1) Ian McCluggage, Meadowbank; 2) Charlotte Glenn, Paddy Maloney; 3) Freya Fisher, Mavourneen Minstrel; 4) Claire Killen, Dunluce Aoife; 5) Jenna Morton, Estella Great Expectations; 6) Aimee McKeown, Royal Oak Clover.
EI 80Q:
1) Siofra Mason, Consequencial; 2) Una Megoran, Rossy April; 3) Holly Rice, Supreme Dream; 4) Ben Foster, Carrick Diamond Darsheen; 5) Emily Turley, Budore Mystic Legend; 6) Zara Reid, Greylands Diamond Girl.
EI 80 T:
1) Jane McClean, McCleans Dream Catcher; 2) Caitlin Brown, Rua Rebel; 3) Heli Nannimainen, Elderflower Lagertha; 4) Heather Champion, Drumcara Red; 5) Marnie Crerar, Happiness to Rathkenny; 6) Freya Kennedy, Roughan Roulette.