AIRC WESTERN REGION FEBRUARY 2012!

AIRC WESTERN REGION FEBRUARY 2012!  

The annual dinner dance on the 29 January held at the Carlton Shearwater Hotel in Balinasloe was a massive success with Benbulben RC taking club of the year and Benbulben’s Finola Murphy taking all the prizes she’s eligible for including member of the year, well done!  It was great to see so many faces from all around the region and nearly all the clubs were well attended and prizes received!  The Carlton Shearwater Hotel, Balinasloe put on a great meal and show for us and dancing and singing went on till the early hours.  Thanks to all the sponsors including Mona Vial, Horze Ireland and Horse World.   

The ever popular Dalysgrove Saoires Saddlery Dressage League had some of the largest entries ever and the final was held on Sunday 19 February 2012 with more than 60 entries from Primary to Open, and Dressage to music!  The Primary League overall winner was John Kelehan from Corrib, riding Park Oisin with an impressive score of 35 points beating Kathleen Duggan from Misneach, riding Lizzie Lopez with 21 points and Corrib's Monica Nielson was third with 19 points.  The Advanced Primary League winner was won by Dalysgrove own Donna Murray riding Temple Troy with 27 points, Sinead   Fenton from Bridge was a brilliant second on her own Cotterstown Levi with 21 points and in third was Dalysgrove's very own Pat Tuohy riding Pappin with 17 points.  The Intermediate competition was as competitive as ever with the wining points going to Balinasloe's brilliant  Niamh Macken Captain Smirnoff with a winning score of 35, in a well deserved second place Slieve Bloom's Lorraine Coughlarn riding Moy Elma Dream with 33 points, narrowly beating Clare Lenehan from Tonabrockey riding Outside Track with 27 points.  John Joe Grace from Slieve Bloom was first and second in the Advanced Intermediate league winning on Push The Button with 37 and runner up on Williams   Nephew with 35 points and with Springmount's Grainne Kelly riding Gilly From The Block with 27 points. The Open competition was won by Jane Grace  riding Push The Button gaining 37 points from Slieve Bloom riding club Mary Mitchell from Tonabrockey riding Western May with 35 points and Dalysgrove's own Danielle Tuohy  on Pappin with 23 points in third!  The dressage to music is always fun to do and draws a crowd and the winner of the league was Intermediate rider Clare Lenehan with a massive 35 points, in second place with 33 points was Niamh Macken and in third place was Lorraine Coughlan with 22 points.  Everyone had a great time and lets hope it brings more dressage to the region!  Well done to all who competed and won. 

The North West Jumping League in Templemore, across the boarder, is being well supported by the Donegal crowd with Letterkenny’s Liz Cuffe on Bowhirrl Judy winning the Primary competition, and Donegal Gaeltacht’s Ryan McBride on Clyde second and Roisin McGee on Marela in third.  The Advance Primary class was won by Letterkenny’s Keary Smith on Molly with Lawrence Smyth riding Jenny’s Jigsaw and coming in third Rosaleen Harkin on Hillbillie Rocky both from Donegal Gaeltach.  The Intermediate competition was won by Joanne Cuffe from Letterkenny riding Bowhirrl Judy, Shane McCole on Clover Skip was second and Rachel McCrossan Batteries Not Included was in third, both riders from Donegal Gaeltacht.  The Advanced Intermediate was won by Donegal Gaeltacht Stephen Green riding Indian Puzzle, and the Letterkenny’s lovely Marina Hamilton riding the good looking London Jen in second and Letterkenny’s Cormac McCormack Lenamore Charlotte in third.

North West Show Jumping League continues on the 4^th and 11^th with the final taking place on the 25^th March.  Castlecarrig Riding Club also have a show on the 25^th March.  April 1^st sees the first of the training days at Athlone Equestrian Centre. 

Well done to all riders and good luck in the future!!!