Weekend extra: Equestrian update
Latest reports, results and photos from the local equestrian world
Hi folks,
As promised, here is the second newsletter of the week, bringing you coverage of the remainder of the equine activities from last weekend.
It seems rather ironic that the plethora of competitions seven days or so ago was, at least in part, due to the impact of Storm Bert the week before, when numerous events had to be cancelled or postponed… On Saturday, a similar fate befell all local equestrian pursuits, this time due to Storm Darragh. Beforehand, the forecast and the weather warnings may have appeared to be a bit extreme, but Darragh certainly left his mark, with trees down, roads closed, power cuts and many a greenhouse obliterated, just for starters! Thankfully, many of the day’s activities have been rescheduled - so check the Horse & Field calendar for the new dates - and plenty of activities are being held on Sunday for those who missed out on Saturday.
One of the highlights of last weekend was the three-day Winter Championship Show at Portmore Equestrian Centre, Aghalee. Some top class show jumping was witnessed across the classes, with some very familiar names in attendance - well done to all those who took part. Among the successful competitors was Suzanne Posnett, who must have had an emotional few days, as alongside winning the 1.20m Accumulator with ‘Maxim Van Overis Z’, a retirement ceremony was held to honour her 1.20m Speed specialist, Karmijn, who at the wonderful age of 32 is hanging up her competition boots!
This Horse&Field newsletter brings you the second instalment of the latest equine news, as well as reports, results and pictures from local competitions over the past week or so, including the Winter Championships at Portmore; the dressage league final at Lusk’s; the third leg of the Working Hunter league at Ardnacashel; the penultimate leg of the dressage league at Gransha; and the final of the Inter-Schools’ show jumping league at The Meadows.
McEntee claims Grand Prix glory at Portmore
Show jumpers from around the country made their way to Aghalee, Co Armagh over the weekend of November 29 to December 1 for the three-day Portmore Winter Championships.
Lovely tests to conclude Lusk's dressage league
The fourth and final week of the dressage league was held at Lusk Equestrian, near Lisburn, on Sunday. This week, a Pony Club qualifier was incorporated, with a great turnout across the classes.
Grace doubles up at Ardnacashel Working Hunter
Another weekend, another show. Sunday, December 1 was leg three of the Working Hunter league at Ardnacashel Equestrian, Comber. As the previous week was cancelled due to the weather, this is now a five-week league. You must compete in three out of the five weeks (including the final) to qualify for a final placing. The final will be open to everybody.
Super tests ridden at penultimate leg of Gransha dressage league
The third leg of Gransha Equestrian Centre’s Autumn Dressage League, sponsored by Cryotherapy Ireland, took place on Saturday, November 30, with some super tests ensuring that the final, due to be held on December 14, will be hotly contested!
Fabulous finale for Meadows' Inter-Schools' league
The much-anticipated final of the TRI Equestrian Inter-Schools’ show jumping league at The Meadows Equestrian Centre, Lurgan, took place on Saturday, November 30, having been rescheduled from its original date of November 23 due to weather.
In equine news, local news and looking ahead to Christmas:
Researchers identify probable cause of equine grass sickness
Researchers have identified the probable cause of equine grass sickness as a neurotoxin, with similar actions to snake venom toxins, but produced by pasture microbes. The breakthrough has the potential to lead to novel treatments and improved diagnostics for this devastating disease. Key aspects of the work are summarised in a special editorial in the J…
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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 end of the year, so if you know of any events that aren’t yet listed, please let us know!
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