Hoofprints off to Sunny Start

 

Competitors basked in the sunshine at the first leg of the 2010 Hoofprints Horse Trials League hosted by Waterford RC at Ballinaclough on Sunday.

With nearly 150 entries, turnout was large and competition was high. Five dressage arenas were in operation from early morning; however dressage was not the main deciding factor of the day. Scores were ever changing as some fell foul to the show jumping and cross country. Noel Phelan and Joe Murphy built show jumping tracks that were negotiable with a few questions asked. The cross country was not as straight forward as first thought. Some competitors got caught out at fences whilst others went a little astray.

Eight competitors contested the open, with Waterford’s own Edward Widger first out on track. However, it was not enough and fellow club member Leanne Foskin on Stonehaven’s Billie took the title with an end score of 36.0 from Edward in second on 44.0. The Hoofprints League is open to competitors from outside the region and the advanced intermediate class was won by outsider Catherine Killeen and Tanino de Peramancia from Millroad on 30.5. Three Rocks Ger Kelly and Kingsford Copper were a close second only one point behind on 31.5.

The green horse class had a significant number of entries and scores were tight. Only eight points separated the top six. Nicki Colley made it another win for Waterford on Stonehaven’s Brandon with a score of 27.5. Christa George and Nothing Concluded finished second on 31.0. As there were a large number of entries the intermediate class was divided. Section A went to Perly Doyle from Ballycanew on the ever reliable Shanco Lad in a score of 34.5. The B section was won by Lisa Mulhall from Barrow Valley on an identical score of 34.5. Clonmel’s Breda Costigan and Stephanie Hearne took second in the sections. The advanced primary class was also divided. Thomastown and Districts Carmel Murphy and Glenbrook Colleen secured Section A with a score of 28.9 from Karen Blakely and Rover from Belline on 29.3. Section B was won by Susan Black from Ashwood on Roundpark Dorothy on an impressive score of 25.8. Second was Carne’s Jenny Burrell and Babbling Brook on 31.1.

Action moves to Broomfield RC at Broomfield Equestrian Centre on Saturday 26^th for the second leg. Following on from that then is Three Rocks RC at Monart Equestrian Centre on July 4^th, which is also a qualifier for the TRI National Horse Trials.

When your day seem out of balance,
 And so many things go wrong,
when people fight around you,
And the day drags on so long,

  When parents act like children,
 In-laws make you think " Divorce" ,
 Go out into your pasture,
 wrap your arms around your horse.
 
His gentle breath enfolds you,
 And he watches with those eyes,
 He may not have a Ph D. ,
 But he is oh so wise,

His head rests on your shoulder,
You embrace him oh so tight,

 He puts your world in balance, and
 makes it seem all right,
 
Your tears they soon stop flowing,
The tension is now eased,
The garbage has been lifted, And
you're quiet and at peace.
 

 So when you need the balance
From circumstances in your day,

The best therapy that you can seek,
IS OUT THERE CHOMPING HAY!!
 

Hi All,

We all had a super evening last night at our inaugral Dressage League.  It was the most beautiful evening and very relaxed and enjoyable.  Thank you to Orla who had the arena in international condition! It would be great if we could get more members to ride, or even just come along.  Some people had their tests read out, and if you aren't coming because you can't learn a test- that's now no excuse.  So start plaiting for next Thurs!

 

Jeni & Fionnuala

 

Sweat on your brow, butterflies in your stomach – it must be another day’s eventing so……..

 

With something for every grade from Advanced Primary to Advanced Open, and more often than not a Combined Training phase for the Primary riders, Riding club one day events has proven to be a fun day out for everyone, rider and spectator alike.

 

Everyone has their favourite phase, be it the elegance and precision of the Dressage, the accuracy of Show jumping or the fast and furious skill of the Cross country, eventing has it all. Attendance at the Riding Club ODE’s has without a doubt seen an increase in recent years lending to it a high standard of rider/horse combinations, making competition very stiff amongst the grades. This is more than evident amongst the riders of Waterford Riding club who are storming up the league table at present.

 

We had been unlucky weather wise in the past 2 years but Eventing 2009 has gotten off to a strong start and hopefully the rain will stay at bay for the rest of the season.

 

Being part of a Riding Club means being part of an extended community and nowhere is this more apparent than at the ODE’s. You meet new friends that you will meet time and time again as the season progresses and everyone is more than willing to lend a helping hand.

 

Before we halt and salute we have to acknowledge that the ODE’s could not take place without the tireless efforts of their organisers. It is the time and effort put in by these individuals that makes the events such an enjoyable success.

 

 

I have been Regional Secretary since "Regions" began in the early 90s. The job has change dramatically over the years. Now the country is divided into 8 Regions and in our region there are 16 clubs. The secretaries of these clubs form what we call the "Regional Committee". We hold meetings about 6 times a year (any member may attend a meeting) when we coordinate the various shows and review them. We are continually trying to upgrade and improve the standard of riding clubs in general so that members can get the best benefit from their clubs. We are also continually trying to improve and standardize the various shows that we run and to introduce new ways of getting out and about with our horses. As standardization is very important for fairness we keep a close eye on the grading system and try to ensure that members are competing against those with similar ability. My job as secretary is to coordinate the various activities and I have a lot of help with this. Sarah Lang as PRO keeps everybody informed of what's going on and puts results and reports in the papers. Ger Kelly as Grading Officer looks after the Regrading of members.  Gillian Hennessy looks after the website and Dympna Gibbons as Chairman keeps me in line. We hold a party towards the end of the year( Gillian Hennessy organizes this ) when we give awards to members of the Region who have done well in different areas during the year.

 As Chairman of my own club I see my role as chairing meetings and ensuring that each member of the committee can make their contribution. I try to oversee shows and events so that everything runs smoothly and that rules and regulations are adhered to. At functions and shows etc. it is my job as chairman to make speeches if necessary and ensure that everyone is thanked. In case of a dispute it is the job of the chairman to adjudicate. At the AGM as chairman I will make an address reviewing the performance of the club throughout the year.

 

 

Carne RC were victorious at yesterdays Regional EPS Qualifier, Belline Estate, Co Kilkenny.

In a 5 way jump off, the Carne Blue team of Jo Kimmins & Cruising Mood, Melanie Hamill & Taylor's Maid, Leanne O Keeffe & Tuckmill Ruby and captain Christine Keymer, riding Ridgewood Ben scooped the honours posting a clear that secured them a place at the 2009 Failte Ireland Royal Dublin Horse Show.

With 29 teams taking on Pat Walsh's track, there proved to be issues along the way, with ten teams finishing on a zero after the first round.

As always in the team events, the second rounds prove crucial and these ten were reduced to five completing on a zero score.

Waterford Blue captain Ciara Power was the first to go, but lowered 2 poles. Coolbell Foxtrot captain Kevin Veale & Coolbell Brady set a blistering time, but also left a pole on the floor leaving the competitor wide open. Next in, Emily Sayers & Sanaer for the Clonmel Red team, posted an accurate clear round in a respectable time. Christine Keymer, riding Ridgewood Ben was the next in and took a few tighter turns and chances, stopping the clock faster for the Carne Blue. Last in was Sarah Lang & Before I Forget for the Thomastown Blue team. An unlucky pole on the floor, meant victory for the Carne Blue, runner up prize went to Clonmel Red, who get another crack at the whip in two weeks at the AIRC Festival as the runners up vye for the Wild Card ticket for the RDS. Third place went to Coolbell Foxtrot the fastest 4 faulters, 4th Thomastown Blue, 5th Waterford Blue and 6th went to Coolbell Tango who were the team to finish on 4 after 2 rounds, their cumulative time being the quickest.

Well done to Carne and Good Luck to Clonmel who will contest for thwe Wild Card in two weeks at the AIRC Festival

 

WATERFORD RISES AGAIN

by Helen O'Byrne

 

The Waterford Riding Club, one of the oldest riding clubs in the country, which has now amalgamated with Kilotteran riding club, held its first joint venture under the new regime, at Ballinamona Equestrian Centre recently with kind permission of Vahe Bogossian. The Show Jumping league which ran over the last 5 weeks on Thursday evenings was a huge success with more than 40 competitors taking part each evening.

 The best 3 nights were to count and this made for some very exciting jump offs on the final night. Initially the course designer Noel Phelan was kind to competitors but as the weeks progressed the courses got more and more difficult with all jumps up to maximum height on the last 2 nights.

The Primary section was slow to start, but when visitors arrived from Coolbell Club on the third night the competition took off. Ann Raher and Clonea Silver Spirit were rewarded for their journeys and took the Primary Section by a clear lead. Things were much busier in the Advanced Primary but Bunnie Blue Eyes ridden by Fionnuala Brennan from the host club took the honours here closely followed by Sarah Connors riding Woodfield Bing also from the host club and Joe Cullen riding B.B. from Belline Club. In the Intermediate Class Stonehaven Alannah ridden by Miriam Power led on full points from the first night and despite the efforts of 3 of her clubmates, (who were on equal points behind her) she could not be knocked from the podium. Then ensued a very exciting jump off for second place between Laura Barron riding Polly, Emma O’Shea riding Saddle Up Kasey and Helen O’Byrne riding Charleville Lad. Laura went for a foot perfect clear round on Polly in a time of 52 secs then Emma and Saddle up Kasey sped around the course in a time of 42secs but unfortunately a pole fell. Last to go was Helen on Charleville Lad. Knowing that Charleville lad (alias Murph) was never going to win on speed Helen decided to go for cunning instead and executing one very sharp turn managed to stop the clock at 47 seconds with all fences standing.

The Green Horse class was won by Dinan Clover ridden by Clare Nulty from Warrington followed by Clyde ridden by Leanne Foskin for Waterford and in third place was Kara Cullinane also from Waterford riding her own home bred Molly (Sire Courage).

Clare Nulty also took the honours in the Advanced Intermediate riding Cavalier Charisma but Jenny Kiely riding Sportsfield Pinky gave her a good run for her money in another exciting jump off. Third in that class was Leanne Foskin again,this time riding Stonehaven Billie. We were very excited to have a keenly contested  Open class and to have good numbers competing each week. The winner of this class was Nicki Colley riding her own Van Helsing in second place was Ciara Power riding Stonehaven Another Prince followed in third place by Patrice Marie ridden by Dearbhail Kennedy. Emma O’Shea of Saddle Up Equestrian Equipment very kindly sponsored a beautiful top of the range Lynn Russell Bentley grooming Kit as a prize for turnout of horse and rider and this was won by Aeromanta ridden by Stacey Griffen. Noel Phelan and Tony Power judged the turnout and commented on the high standard of all competitors.

  1) Poop in the water game This will test your coordination and spatial abilities. Horses all over the world practice this, every day. You must try to poop in your water container (note: drink water first, so you won't go thirsty!). If your water container is too high to poop in, you can...