The Arden Equestrian Show jumping League
Western Region A.I.R.C
On Sunday the 16th of June South Roscommon held the final of the
Arden Equestrian Show jumping League at Carey’s Equestrian Centre.
This was the first year this league was run and it proved to be
a great success. The 4 clubs involved in running the league namely Dalysgrove,
Balinasloe, South Roscommon, and Bridge co-operated and helped one another out
and it was a great example of what riding club is all about!
The league was run over 4 legs with participants having to take
part in at least 2 shows to qualify for the final. The 4 clubs shared the cost
of the prizes for the final, which meant that along with the very generous
support and sponsorship of Danny Claffy of Arden Equestrian they were able to
present very generous prizes at the final. The prizes included Galway Crystal
for 1st 2nd and 3rd an
embroidered rug for 1stplace and a perpetual cup for the winner of
each class and rosettes for 1st to 6th.
Sunday while overcast it was ideal weather for horse riding. The
first Class of the day was the primary class. This was a very close class and
could be called the battle of the secretaries namely Christine Rohan secretary
of Dalysgrove and Niamh Macken Secretary of Balinasloe. Christine won out on
the day to win the league title in primary for 2013. Sevrine Ray Tynagh 3rd
Marie Fox Balinasloe 4th and Fiona Fenton 5th
In Advanced primary it was all to play for with any number in
the shake up for the title. Unfortunately Jackie Feely had to withdraw Timmy
from the show due to sunburn after too much sunbathing without protection (that
was Timmy not Jackie who got sunburned by the way). Dermot
Goode was going very well until as he admitted later he started to do some
mental arithmetic on the way around and lost concentration. Dermot should know
at this stage that men cannot multi task!
Caolinn de Baairead from Corrib won out on the day and was the
clear winner in the end of this class Dermot Goode Dalysgrove came 2nd(and
the crowd went wild) Caroline Clancy Springmount 3rdEmma Glynn
South Roscommon 4th John Miland and Dermot Goode both from
Dalysgrove 5th and Mary Mcentee Mosstown 6th.
Weather was to have a big part to play in the intermediate class
also. Gavin Kennan from Benbulben seemed unbeatable coming in to the
final but due to the unpredictable nature of our Summer and the fact that it
was fine on Sunday Gavin was ensuring there would be no fodder crisis next year
and went saving silage. One man who was
having a fodder crisis was Dalysgrove’s Kevin Clogher who had vowed not to eat
until he was finished jumping but due to the fact he had ridden his 2 horses in
dressage and show jumping and in the pairs competition we were beginning to
worry he might collapse before he got that diet of champions the curry chip and
a burger. But collapse he didn’t but
champion he certainly was winning the intermediate class on the day and the
league as well as coming 2nd and 5th in the
dressage and first along with Dalysgroves newest and youngest member Aisling
Miland in the very entertaining pair’s competition. Janna Duane Corrib 2nd joint
third were Sinead Fenton Bridge and Norman Tierney Springmount,
The advanced inter class produced top class jumping with Sarah
Gaughan Corrib coming first and Tommy Ryan Bridge was the runner up in this
class.
As this is the inaugural year for The Arden Equestrian Show
jumping League and what a success with over 80 different riders from 16
different clubs competing, some even from outside the region such as Mullingar
Annaharvey and Mosstown.
A big thanks to everyone involved over the 4 legs in
particular to Danny Claffey of Arden equestrian and hopefully the 4 clubs
involved will get together again and build on the success of this year and come
back with an even stronger and better League next year!!!
