True Working Hunters out at Hagans Croft Final
Torrential rain tests competitors as they take on challenging course
Saturday, October 28 saw the final of Hagans Croft’s Working Hunter League and NIF qualifiers. The arena had been prepped on Friday, with the course set up and dressed out with extra foliage, however, with overnight torrential rain, it was unsure as to whether the competition would go ahead… With an additional water complex, horses and riders had an extra complexity added to the course of nine fences.
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This was no problem to Craig Hills with four-year-old 'Val', who placed first in the 60cm class and who also jumped clear on his second mount of the day 'High Hopes Tuxita', who achieved another clear round and first place in the 85cm Small Hunter class.
Lisa Napier made her debut at this venue and certainly made a great impression with 'Carisma'. The pair achieved first place in both their classes, 70cm and 80cm, and then went on to be crowned Champion Working Hunter Horse on the day.
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Emily Roney and 'Lisnicky Midnight View' achieved their ticket to the Northern Ireland Festival in 2024, as they placed first in 90cm class, along with Megan Stewart and 'Sid', who placed first in the 1m class. Megan and 'Sid' also went on to be awarded Reserve Champion Horse on the day.
Saturday was a jam-packed day as, with it being the final, league placings were to be decided, with competitors’ best three scores being totalled together to decide placings within each class. Shirley Anderson and 'Diago' won the 70cm class as well as the 80cm class, with Marina Stewart and 'Troy' winning the 90cm class. Marina and 'Troy' also went on to be awarded League Champion Horse, with Louise Reid and 'Bertie' claiming League Reserve Champion Horse.
The afternoon session saw torrential rain descend on the venue and the pony classes got underway. It was a winning day for Anna Poots and 'Maggie', the pair took first place in a strong 60cm class and went on to be awarded League Reserve Champion. This was just the boost of encouragement this pair needed, and Anna was delighted to take home her first Working Hunter sash and trophy.
Darcy Turley and 'Rossfad Runaway’ placed first in the 70cm class and second in the 60cm league. This gave them the opportunity to ride in the championship class, where they were delighted, even though it was pouring down with torrential rain! This did not dampen their spirits or their win, as they were crowned Reserve Champion Working Hunter pony on the day and then League Champion Pony! What an achievement for such a young rider!
Charlie Watson and 'Leamore Girl' took home the red rosette on the day within the 80cm class and Tabitha Cullen and 'Marl Gladiator' took first place in the league with her five-year-old gelding.
Sophie Ennis and Emily Turley were the only riders to achieve clear rounds in the jumping phase of the 90cm class, therefore it was down to who scored the most points in their ridden show. Sophie and 'Rainbow' took the win on the day, however, Emily and 'Budore Mystic Legend' took the win in the 90cm league. Sophie and 'Rainbow' were also crowned Champion Working Hunter Pony on the day, riding in torrential rain was worth it! Well done!
Hagans Croft would like to thank everyone who supported this Working Hunter league and NIF qualifiers and also extend thanks to the judge, Chloe Thompson; scribe, Alistair McDonald and arena party, Katie. Thanks also to Anna of Black Horse Photography for covering the event. All photographs can be viewed and purchased from the Black Horse Photography website.
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Hagans Croft now prepares for their five-week Dressage League, starting on Saturday, November 11, finishing the year out with their Dressage Christmas Finale. This event is pre-entry only, with entries taken via Hagans Croft’s website: www.haganscroftequestrian.co.uk or you can download and enter through the Hagans Croft App. Entries close each Thursday at 8pm prior to Saturday’s event and start times are posted online on Thursday evenings.
To find out more about the dressage league, please contact Gillian on 07849 106453 or go to the website: www.haganscroftequestrian.co.uk
RESULTS
Saturday, October 28
Working Hunter League & NIF Qualifiers
WORKING HUNTER HORSES
Champion Working Hunter Horse: Lisa Napier, Carisma; Reserve: Megan Stewart, Sid.
Class 1 - 60cm Working Hunter Horse & 4 year old Working Hunter Horse NIF:
1) Craig Hills, Val.
Class 2 - 70cm Working Hunter Horse:
1) Lisa Napier, Carisma; 2) Shirley Anderson, Diago; 3) Louise Reid, Bertie; 4) Felicity Pierce, Smokey; 5) Fiona Sweeney, Stella.
Class 3 - 80cm Working Hunter Horse NIF:
1) Lisa Napier, Carisma; 2) Shirley Anderson, Diago; 3) Felicity Pierce, Smokey; 4) Caoimhe Gallagher, Sid; 5) Marina Stewart, Troy; 6) Megan Stewart, Murphy.
Class 5 - 85cm Small Working Hunter Horse (not exceeding 158cm) NIF:
1) Craig Hills, High Hopes Tuxita; 2) Leah Chambers, Cardento Diamond; 3) Emily Roney, Lisnicky Midnight View.
Class 6 - 90cm Working Hunter Horse NIF:
1) Emily Roney, Lisnicky Midnight View; 2) Marina Stewart, Troy.
Class 7 - 1m Working Hunter Horse NIF:
1) Megan Stewart, Sid; 2) Kirsty Bates, Che Banoffee French.
WORKING HUNTER PONIES
Champion Working Hunter Pony: Sophie Ennis, Rainbow; Reserve: Darcy Turley, Rossfad Runaway.
Class 8 - 60cm Working Hunter Pony NIF Starter Stakes & M&M:
1) Anna Poots, Maggie; 2) Charlotte Gray, Tabby; 3) Hannah Trimble, Lola; 4) Zara Trimble, Mighty Meeko; 5) Darcy Turley, Rossfad Runaway; 6) Charlie Watson, Goldengrove Miss Markle.
Class 9 - 70cm Working Hunter Pony NIF Starter Stakes & M&M:
1) Darcy Turley, Rossfad Runaway; 2) Imogen Gray, Mount Temple Boy; 3) Anna Poots, Maggie; 4) Lauren O'Rourke, Prince.
Class 10 - 80cm Working Hunter Pony NIF 133cm also M&M:
1) Charlie Watson, Leamore Girl; 2) Emily Turley, Budore Mystic Legend; 3) Tabitha Cullen, Marl Gladiator; 4) Kerry McGrady, Fonzie.
Class 11 - 90cm Working Hunter Pony NIF 143cm also M&M:
1) Sophie Ennis, Rainbow; 2) Emily Turley, Budore Mystic Legend; 3) Leah Chambers, Cummer Park Silver Boy.
Working Hunter League October 2023
WORKING HUNTER HORSES
League Champion Working Hunter Horse: Marina Stewart, Troy: League Reserve: Louise Reid, Bertie.
Class 2 - 70cm Working Hunter Horse:
1) Shirley Anderson, Diago; 2) Louise Reid, Bertie; 3) Felicity Pierce, Smokey.
Class 3 - 80cm Working Hunter Horse NIF:
1) Shirley Anderson, Diago; 2) Marina Stewart, Troy; 3) Felicity Pierce, Smokey.
Class 6 - 90cm Working Hunter Horse NIF:
1) Marina Stewart, Troy; 2) Megan Stewart, Murphy.
WORKING HUNTER PONIES
League Champion Working Hunter Pony: Darcy Turley, Rossfad Runaway; League Reserve: Anna Poots, Maggie.
Class 8 - 60cm Working Hunter Pony NIF Starter Stakes & M&M:
1) Julia Kerr, Cheerna; 2) Charlotte Gray, Tabby; 3) Darcy Turley, Rossfad Runaway; 4) Hannah Trimble, Lola; 5) Zara Trimble, Mighty Meeko.
Class 9 - 70cm Working Hunter Pony NIF Starter Stakes & M&M:
1) Imogen Gray, Mountfield Temple Boy; 2) Darcy Turley, Rossfad Runaway; 3) Lauren O'Rourke, Prince; 4) Anna Poots, Maggie.
Class 10 - 80cm Working Hunter Pony NIF 133cm also M&M:
1) Tabitha Cullen, Marl Gladiator; 2) Rebecca Horner, Ballylisk Midnight Lad.
Class 11 - 90cm Working Hunter Pony NIF 143cm also M&M:
1) Emily Turley, Budore Mystic Legend; 2) Rebecca Horner, Ballylisk Midnight Lad.