The Arden Equestrian Show jumping League Western Region A.I.R.C

^{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 1^st 2^nd and 3^rd an embroidered rug for 1^stplace and a perpetual cup for the winner of each class and rosettes for 1^st to 6^th.

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 2^nd(and the crowd went wild) Caroline Clancy Springmount 3^rdEmma Glynn South Roscommon 4^th John Miland and Dermot Goode both from Dalysgrove 5^th and Mary Mcentee Mosstown 6^th.

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 2^nd and 5^th in the dressage and first along with Dalysgroves newest and youngest member Aisling Miland in the very entertaining pair’s competition.  Janna Duane Corrib 2^nd 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!!!