Benbulben held the Western Regional Qualifier for the Masters Series
Benbulben held the Western Regional Qualifier for the Masters Series in Show Jumping as part of our show on May 5th. It was a great day of competition, with the Intermediate Masters Qualifier very hotly contested, with Rachel Burke on Rookery Blue just pipping her mother Anna Burke on Rookery Sparkle to the top spot.
Benbulben riders won all but one of the Show Jumping classes, with Donegal Gaeltacht's Lawrence Smyth on Jenny’s Jigsaw taking top spot in the Primary & Advanced Primary Derby to deny Benbulben a clean sweep.
Primary Show jumping was won by Miriam Mangan from Benbulben, while Mary McMahon took the honours in the Advanced Primary on Aylroe Boy for Benbulben, with Mary Lang 2nd, Lawrence Smyth 3rd, Melinda Morgan 4th, Sandra Stuart 5h & Marissa Hebron 6th.
The Primary & Advanced Primary Derby was won by Lawrence Smyth from Donegal Gaeltacht with Tara Brennan in 2nd, Melinda Morgan in 3rd, Sandra Stuart 4th, Marissa Hebron 5th & Mary McMahon 6th.
The Intermediate Masters Qualifier was won in fine style by Rachel Burke from Benbulben onboard Rookery Blue who recovered from a stumble to take the lead from Anna Burke who finished 2nd, Joanna Kearns was 3rd, Charlie Vial 4th, Edwina Ruane 5th & Therese Anderson 6th all securing a place at the Masters Series Final.
The Advanced Intermediate Qualifier was won by Myles McGowan on Journey Man for Benbulben, with Patricia Warren coming 2nd, Fiona Tansey 3rd, Kean O'Hara 4th, Marita
Shannon 5th & Leslie Fitzgerald 6th with Letterkenny's Cormac McCormack also securing himself qualification for the Final.
The Open & Advanced Open was won by Benbulben's Deirdre McDonald on Nisqually De May with her twin sister Vanessa in 2nd place on Vanessa’s Pride & Lizzie Naughton in 3rd.
These great performances by the Benbulben horses & riders mean that the club now has 10 horses & riders qualified for the final. A full list of qualified horse riders can be found on the AIRC website.
The final Show Jumping event of the day was the Intermediate & above Derby where Benbulben riders excelled to take all the placings in this hotly contested class which was won by talented combination of Rachel Burke & Rookery Blue, with Fiona Tansey 2nd, Anna Burke 3rd, Kean O'Hara 4th, Therese Anderson 5th & Joanna Kearns 6th.
Primary Dressage was won by Benbulben's Miriam Mangan with Marie McCaffrey in 2nd.
Advanced Primary was won by the newest member of the Benbulben team, Emma Lawrence on Benny Ace, Finola Murphy was 2nd, Jacquline McGuinness was 3rd, Mary Lang 4th, Melinda Morgan 5th & Therese Anderson 6th.
The Intermediate Dressage was won by Tara Brennan, with Erin Fergus 2nd, Melissa Monaghan 3rd, Catherine Meenaghan 4th, Charlie Vial 5th & Jane Dutson 6th.
Advanced Intermediate was won by Louise O'Hara from Benbulben with Myles McGowan 2nd & Donegal Gaeltacht's Patricia Warren took the honours in the Open Section.
By Edwina Ruane
Arden Equestrian Showjumping League. Ballinasloe RC Show, 28th April 2013
The rain held off, as per usual the showground staff had the grounds looking immaculate, and it was a Great Start to the Arden Equestrian Showjumping League, New league being run by Ballinasloe, Bridge, Dalysgrove and South Roscommon RC.
The Primary Showjumping got things underway, on the Padraig Geraghty built track, with Dalysgrove Secretary Christine Rohan and Sweet Callows Gale, who were the only double clear, to win the class. Second was the Ballinasloe Secretay Niamh Macken with 4 faults in the second round on Captain Smirnoff, with fellow club member Maria Fox on Earl of Clonberne in Third.
As always there was a big turn out for the Adv Primary Class, but it was Mosstowns Bernie Whyte, on Baily , who was closet to the optimum time, with Liam Stapleton and Lady Tessa from Tynagh RC coming Second, with Corribs Caolinn De Bairead and Cavalier Kim with in third place.
In the Primary / Adv Primary Pairs Class, saw another Placing for Liam Stapleton and Lady Tessa this time taking the Red Ribbon with fellow Tynagh club member Severine Ray on Zeva . Corrib RC took Second, with Caolinn De Bairead and Colm Kelly, in Third Place was Melinda Morgan from Benbulben and Maria Tierney from Springmount.
A large entry in the Intermediate, saw 11 through to the jump off, but it was Benbulben RC’s Rebekah Tansey on Brighten Up Your Day, who was the fastest, and took top honours from Corribs Janna Duane on Fair Lady in Second Place. Paula Cosgrave from Ballinasloe RC took third.
In the Adv Inter class, 3 made it into the jump off , with the spoils going to Annaharveys Billy Guinan and Caesar, Marita Shannon and Nautica from Springmount took Second, and another Annaharvey Member, Evelyn Browne on Anna Mama took third spot.
In the Open Class, Sylvia Baumberger took first Place with Courage Galore for Ballinasloe RC.
In the Inter and Above Pairs Class, it was Dalysgrove’s Kevin Clogher, and Benbulbens Gavin Keenan, who took first place, with the Benbulben pair of Fiona Tansey and Rebekah Tansey in 2 second place.
The Dressage arena was in full swing from 10.30am in the morning, The Primary Class was won by Ballinasloe RCs Maria Fox on Earl of Clonberne, with Christine Rohan and Sweet Callows Gale taking second for Dalysgrove.
A large Adv Primary Dressage Class, saw a lot of regions represented but it was Anne-Marie Hannon with Chris taking first place, from Mullingar RC, in 3rd place it was Slieve Blooms Lavinia Reid Kenny on Raindrop Queen, and Melinda Morgan from Benbulben came third with Petal.
Ballinasloe Club Secretary Niamh Macken, and Captain Smirnoff took top spot in the Intermediate Dressage, with Joe Carroll and Annaharvey Fantastica taking second, and third going to Ballinasloe’s Richard Clarke on High Commissioner.
In the Adv Inter Class, Springmounts Grainne Kelly and Gilly from the Block who came first, with Slieve Blooms Agata Leonard on Eurocent Caletto in second, and third place went to Orla Carroll and Bridgehousestud Riverking.
Ballinasloe RC would like to thank all to travelled to our show, and a welcome to those to came from outside the region, making it a great day out!
Ballinasloe RC would also like to Thank, our Sponsors, Arden Equestrian for the Showjumping League, Gateway Insurance Athlone, Dolans Centra Garage, Mighty Cabs, Horsey Horsey, The Friendly Fryer, Gullanes Hotel, Leonie Sutton Equine Artist & our Club members, without whom we couldn’t have put on such a good show.
By Niamh Macken
Final reminders to all
Good luck to all members competing for a place in the RDS teams in Kerins on Sunday 26th May 2013. Good luck to all the western region riders taking the trip to Stradbally for the riding club festival, have fun and bring back the rosettes! Also on the 2 June is the Beach show in Falcarragh, and on the 30 June is the Arden league final held by South Roscommon!
Good luck everyone
Melinda Morgan
