Working Hunter Qualifiers at Connell Hill

Style and skill exhibited by horse and pony combinations

No stranger to top class results, Connell Hill in County Antrim hosted the first of two Working Hunter Shows on Sunday, November 19, with a full range of NIF qualifiers, incorporating a Cob class and a class for Irish Draughts. The Horses were duly judged by Mr Paddy Traynor and the Ponies by Mrs Desna Lewis.

Mia Morrison and ‘Lavante’ won the 1.10m Horse class. PICTURES: courtesy of Lyndon McKee Photography

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Horse Champion, Helen Forgrave on Sun Rich Belle and Reserve, Lisa Mitchell Talbot on Liadan Gal, pictured with horse judge, Patrick Traynor.

Those who were unable to attend are very welcome to come and join everyone for the second Working Hunter Show on Sunday, December 10.

A tremendous turnout of horses and ponies in their fitting combinations, exhibited a style and skill of high performance suited to each class and category throughout the course of the day. Connell Hill wish to extend their thanks to the two judges and extend big congratulations to all competitors who took part.

RESULTS

Sunday, November 19

Working Hunter Show

Horse Champion: Helen Forgrave, Sun Rich Belle; Reserve: Lisa Mitchell Talbot, Liadan Gal.

Pony Champion: Max McDonnell, Knocklucas Chloe; Reserve: Cormac Murtagh, Shanaghy Star.

HORSES

70cm class

1) Aoife Hagan, Tina; 2) Aldona Forbes, Goldie.

Aoife Hagan and ‘Tina’ on their way to winning the 70cm Horse class.

Four-year-old class:

1) Leah Hanson, Shadows Hawk; 2) Grace Morton, Kinnego Glencorran Archie; 3) Ben Foster, Casanova.

Leah Hanson and ‘Shadows Hawk’ receiving first place for the Four-year-old class from judge Mr Paddy Traynor.

80cm class:

1) Raisa McMullan, Jerry; 2) Lisa Mitchell, Talbot Liadan Gal; 3) Shane Doyle, Casanova; 4) Aldona Forbes, Goldie.

Raisa McMullan and Jerry came first in the 80cm class.

Top placed Irish Draught:

Liadan Gal.

Small Hunter plus Cob class:

1) Lisa Mitchell Talbot, Liadan Gal; 2) Nikita Kidd; 3) Leah Hanson, Shadows Hulk.

Lisa Mitchell Talbot and Liadan Gal came first in the Small Hunter plus Cob class and were Horse Reserve Champions.

90cm class:

1) Helen Forgrave, Sun Rich Belle; 2) Jessica McConnell, Shadows Eclipse.

Helen Forgraves and Sun Rich Belle won the 90cm Horse class.

1m class:

1) Jessica McConnell, Shadow Eclipse; 2) Craig Hills, Blueoak Lifeguard; 3) Helen Forgrave, Sun Rich Belle; 4) Alana Lavery, Poppys Diamond; 5) Mia Morrison, Lavante.

The winning line up in the 1m class.

1.10m class:

1) Mia Morrison, Lavante.

PONIES

Cross-poles class:

1) Jodie McKay, Moelview Orlando; 2) Lottie Coombs, Bobby.

50cm ponies:

1) Jodie McKay, Moelview Orlando; 2) Lottie Coombs, Bobby; 3) Annabell Manson, Lucky Lane Harry.

Jodie McKay received first place in the cross-poles and 50cm classes from pony judge, Mrs Desna Lewis.

60cm ponies:

1) Mia McKay, Bertie; 2) Caitlin McGuckin, Fanad Beauty; 3) Katie Surgenor, SS Ebony Boy; 4) Leah McCord, Moonlight Sweet Wollow; 5) Annabell Manson, Lucky Lane Harry.

Mia McKay and ‘Bertie’ won the 60cm Pony class.

70cm ponies:

1) Claire McAuley, Snowy; 2) Katie Surgenor, SS Ebony Boy; 3) Erika Dixon, Woodlands Wonder; 4) Leah McCord, Moonlight Sweet Willow; 5) Rachel Morton, Adastra On a Whisper.

80cm ponies:

1) Sienna Savagh, Follis Princess; 2) Cormac Murtagh, Shanaghy Star; 3) Lucy Rooney, Barny; 4) Nicole Peoples, Ballyhindon Boy.

90cm ponies:

1) Max McDonnell, Knocklucas Chloe; 2) Cormac Murtagh, Shanaghy Star.