Tuesday, November 20, 2012

A.I.R.C. West November 2012


A.I.R.C. West November 2012
Tynagh Show on 21st October 2012
On a sunny Sunday morning Milchem Equestrian Centre played host to Tynagh Riding Club Show.  It was a good day and the entries proved to be good value, enter show jumping, dressage and the derby all for €25.  The course was good and long with 10 jumps to get round.  The Derby was 18 obstacles long, and had dips and banks for all levels. Great Fun!!!
The primary show jumping was won by South Roscommon’s successful rider Fiona Fenton riding Casper, in second place Pauline Kavanagh on Rocky from Corrib, also from Corrib was Frank Gilmore on Clover in third, and in fourth place Severine Ray on Zeva from Dalysgrove. 
The Advanced Primary show jumping was won by Colm Kelly riding Rose of Castlerea from Corrib and Janna Duane riding Fair Lady also from Corrib was Second. Cait Goaley on Curra Whoopi! from Springmount was third, Aoife Hegarty on Shanbally survivor from Castlecarrig was fourth and Melinda Morgan on Petal from Benbulben was fifth, Tonabrocky’s Claire Silke was sixth riding Furby Laith.
The intermediate show jumping was won by Corrib’s Caoilinn De Bairead riding Cavalier King, Monica Kenny was second riding Morning Sea Spray from Tonabrocky, in third place was Tynagh’s own John McArdle on Pride of Callatra, in fourth place was Martina Corry on Curragh Grange Boy. 
The advanced intermediate show jumping was won by Niamh Hegarty on Shanbally survivor from Castlecarrig with Therese Dixon from Corrib on Try me in Second place, Dorothy Maclinden was third riding Patjo and in fourth place was Thomas Daniels on Barnaboy Jackeen both from Tynagh.
The primary /advance primary derby was definitely the high light of the day, the course was long and there were many jumps you may only ever see at a cross country course!! It was Brilliant!  The well deserved winner was Tynagh’s own Kevin Hough on his beautiful mare Shakira, in second place Melinda Morgan on the brilliant Petal, in third place Cait Goaley on Curra Whoopi! in fourth place John Miland on Holly and in fifth place Aoife Hegarty on Jacko.
The intermediate and above derby was equally exciting with Thomas Daniels leading the way and Dorothy Mclinden in second place, Niamh Hegarty was third and Therese Dixon in fourth and Martina Corry taking the fifth rosette home.
The primary dressage competition was won by Fiona Fenton, with Dalysgrove’s Annette Donahue in second place and Castle Carrigs Majella Collins in third.  The advanced primary dressage was won by Kevin Hough, second Melinda Morgan, third Emma Glyn on Casper for South Roscommon, and fourth place was given to Claire Silke.  The intermediate dressage was won by Dalysgrove’s Pat Touhy riding Peppin, with Monica Kenny in second place and John McArdle in third.  The winner of the advanced intermediate dressage was John Hawsham on Lyric from Corrib.
Thanks to all competitors and volunteers for making the day such a success!!!
Round Tower show 4th November 2012
On a cold morning on the first Sunday in November Riding club members from around the western region of the AIRC joined together at Claremorris Equestrian Centre for Roundtower show jumping and dressage show.  There was a great turnout and everyone had a good time!
The winner of the primary show jumping competition was Monica Nielson riding Heather Dew, from Corrib.
The winner of the advanced primary show jumping competition was Caroline Clancy riding Sliabh Cuilin Diamond from Springmount, in second place was Round Tower’s own Andrea Hawe riding Saffey, Emma Kennedy also from Round tower riding Diamonds Justice, Melinda Morgan riding her own Petal from Benbulben in fourth, Norman Tierney riding Enzo from Springmount in fifth, and Liam Stapleton on Lady Tessa from Tynagh in sixth place.
The Primary/Advanced Primary Pairs was won by Norman Tierney and Caroline Clancy and in Second place Melinda Morgan and Liam Stapleton.
The Intermediate show jumping was won by Benbulben’s winning riders Finola Murphy on Jessie Kildalton Delight, in second place Glyn Morgan on Tell which Trump, in third place Sharon Mcgowan riding Somethings Gotta Give, Round Towers own Catherine Meenaghan on Fire of Quantum and Charlotte Fleming on Peopatra was fourth and fifth with Donna Lister on Max from Daylygrove in sixth
The winner of the Advanced Intermediate show jumping completion was Therese Dixon riding Try Me from Corrib, in second place Thomas Daniels riding Barnaboy Jackeen from Tynagh, in third place Myles McGowan on Journeyman from Benbulben and in fourth place Deborah Conway Johnnys Luck riding for Round Tower
Once again Benbulben reined over the Intermediate and above pairs with Sharon and Myles McGowan, in second place Round Towers Charlotte Flemming and Catherine Meenaghan, in third place Corribs Caoilinn De Bairead and Therese Dixon, in fourth place Dalysgrove Donna Lister and Katie Winspears and in sixth place the golden oldies John McArdle from Tynagh and Glyn Morgan from Benbulben.
The Primary Dressage competion was won by Monica Nielson from Corrib on Heather Dew with Daylsgroves Annette Donohue on Lucky Cosmo in second place
Finola Murphy also won the Advanced Primary dressage with Charlotte Fleming in second, Laura McLoughlin on Country Pride from Round Tower was in third, Melinda Morgan in fourth, Andrea Hawe on Saffey and Ursula Freiss on Polonaise Clover from Round Tower in fifth and sixth.
Round Tower Ladies reined over intermediate dressage with Petra Hewer on Codename Cavalier winning Jayne Dutson on Miss Cariad in Second and Donna Lister from Daylsgrove in third, Emma Kennedy in forth, Sharon McGowan in Fourth and Amanda O’Toole riding Alanna’s Blazing Comet from Round Tower taking home the sixth rosette.
Grainne Kelly riding Gilly from the Block for Springmount won the advanced intermediate dressage competition, it was a good cold day and the prizes were vouchers for the Jayne Dutson’s Tack shop at Hanley’s Claremorris. 
Thanks to all competitors and volunteers for making the day such a success!!!
Springmount 10th and 11th November 2012
By Cait Goaley

They must have thought we were off our trollies when we suggested that we run a trail ride in the wilds of Connemara in November. Well if we were, there were 15 other crazy riding club members too!

A convoy of horse boxes and trucks negotiated the windy and bumpy roads through Oughterard, Maam Cross, Rosmuc with our first starting point in Cill Chairan. We parked up at the harbor, tacked up, and adorned ourselves in the Winter Woolies and rain gear. Off up the hill we went on the climb to the top of Árd Mór. The local donkeys who greeted us on the way looked very keen to join us.

As the climb got steeper, Jenny Jakeman's unusually shaped hip flask helped us reach greater heights. At the top we soaked up the panoramic views of The Twelve Bens, Roundstone Harbour, Dogs Bay, The Aran Islands, Carna and Glynsk. We started our descent down the hill again with much more eager horses very willing to canter if allowed to catch up with the two lone rangers Janna Duane and Caoilinn De Bairead. The downhill trail afforded more views of Cararroe, Lettermullen and Lettermór and all the way back to Rosmuc.

We stopped at a grassy patch for lunch served up by locals Maureen and Marty Faherty and their very helpful son.  With full bellies we struggled to mount again to begin of further descent to the beach. The local Connemara ponies, some still with their foals bid us a good day as was passed them - some loose in the commonage, others in their own little stone walled fields.

As we got to the beach, we measured our sand arena and everyone went their own direction to claim a little of their own beach commonage.  Within minutes, all hell broke loose and a train of horses galloped through the water with both horses and riders soaking up the local sea salt. We all knew we weren't out of our depth as we were accompanied by a certain high ranking member of the Irish Water Safety Association!  Soaked and cold but happy, we all trotted back to the Faherty house were we un-tacked and were welcomed with a hot toddy and smoked salmon served up again by Maureen.  With the horses fed and settled for the evening, we checked into the Carna Bay Hotel for the much anticipated hot shower. Mary Cloherty met
our every need in the very tasty food department and her very friendly barman put up with us to quench our ever increasing thirst as the night went on.

Our laughs and banter could be heard all over the hotel as jokes were told and stories were spun. The bed called most of us around Cinderella time.  We adjourned in the restaurant the next morning for a hearty breakfast and left refreshed and ready for another day in the wild.

The Sunday trail took us along a bog road and to everyone's delight down to another beach where once again we waded, galloped, and paddled in the clear water. With the tide challenging us, we returned to the pier for lunch and then made our way back to the starting point.  We all bid our farewell and headed our separate ways with more experienced young horses, more cheeky older ones, more confident riders and above all - new friendships made.

We hope this is the first of many fun riding club weekends to come. If you would like to hear about the next one (regardless of your region), send an email to springmount@airc.ie with "Trail Ride" in the subject.


Thanks to all competitors and volunteers for making the riding club days such a success!!!
It's that time of year again and I'm busy at the moment doing a round up of achievements!!!!! Please message me with your ideas, especially if you or someone who is too shy to tell all has won a national competition or done something special!!! Please don't be shy, tell me all about it!! Come on folks I want your good news stories! Let’s spread a little cheer!  And remember it your region so have your say contact me on melindamorgan2000@hotmail.com or find me on Facebook www.facebook.com/groups/westernregionrc



Monday, July 23, 2012

AIRC WEST!


AIRC WEST!
Uppermace played host to the Horseware RDS Qualifier on 27 May 2012 and a very exciting day it was too, with Donegal Gealtacht’s Trisha Warren beating Benbulben’s Fiona Tansy in a nail biting jump off, when Trisha just pipped Fiona passed the post!  All was not lost for Benbulben as they had a second chance at the trip to Dublin in the Wild Card Competition in Stradbally and they did well to come in third place.  Westen region Advanced Primary team members Janna Duane and Liam Cahill from Corrib, Martina Heffernan from Misneach, Cathriona Goaley from Springmount jumped a brilliant 2nd and Benbulben’s Clodagh Doggett
Katy Mc Aleenan, Mary McMahon and Therese Anderson in 6th place.
Lizzie Naughton on Margaux from Round Tower won the side saddle class.

 Sharon Mc Gowan riding Somethings Gotta Give from Benbulben was 2nd and Gavin Keenan also Benbulben was 8th, Derek Ryan riding Nicos Pedro from Barnacarroll in 9th, Rachel Burke Rookery Blue Benbulben in 10th in the intermediate performance hunter.
Tara Brennan riding Raven Lad from Drumcoura won the The Irish Field Advanced Primary Prix Caprilli.
Niamh Macken Captain Smirnoff Ballinasloe won The Irish Field Intermediate Long Arena and was also 6th in the dressage to music.
Anna and Rachel Burke Rookery Sparkle and Rookery Blue from Benbulben was 2nd in the fancy dress pairs.
The Intermediate team show jumping was won by Benbulben.

Patricia Warren on Colourado Kid from Donegal Gaeltacht was 4th in the dressage to music and 6th in the take your own line.
Benbulben’s Deirdre Mcdonald won the open take your own line!
Laura Mc Loughlin on Countrypride (IRE) for Round Tower was 4th in the race horse to riding horse class, Dawn Porter from Benbulben won a rosette on My Handsome Chap in the Horse Sport Ireland Primary Showing.
Well done to all riders, you all did brilliant! And the weather stayed well too!

Next month sees South Roscommon Riding Club Creagh Equestrian Centre show on the 1 July and a Cross Jump at The Kelly's Co. Donegal Organized by Donegal Gaeltacht And luckily for us the wonderful people in Dalysgrove Riding club have put on a jumping and dressage competition in  Careys Equestrian Centre in Creagh, Ballinasloe on the 8 July.

Connolly's Red Mills National Show Jumping Championships in Mullingar Equestrian Centre is on the 15 July, Leitrim’s Summer Show is held at Moorlands Equestrian Centre on the 22 July

Donegal Gaeltacht, Beach Show Ballyness Bay on the 29 July.

Good luck everyone! And have fun!






Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Regional Round Up!


Western Region A.I.R.C May 2012
Unfortuneately Donegal Gaeltacht’s on the 13 May show was cancelled due to bad weather.
Bridge Show Results 20 May 2012.
The Primary Show jumping 1st Mairead Barry on Flash, 2nd Jacqueline Feeleyon on Brogue Boy, 3rd Severine Ray on Ziva, 4th Deirdre Hunt on Othello, 5th Joan O’Brien on Casper and 6th Christine Rohan on Ramsy.
The Advanced Primary Show Jumping 1st Caroline Sammon on Ballinruan Boy, 2nd Laurence Smyth on Jenny's Jigsaw, 3rd Zara McGovern on Pedro, 4th Liam Stapleton on Lady Tessa, 5th Deirdre O'Shea On Coille and 6th Dermot GoodeElvis

The Intermediate Show jumping 1st Rachael Burke on Rockey Blue, 2nd Finola Murphy on Jessie's Kildalton Delight, 3rd Imelda Mullins on Take a cheque, 4th Michael O'Boyle on Dunkillon Boy, 5th Alan Hynes on Diamond, 6th Glyn Morgan on Tell which Trump.

The Advanced Intermediate show jumping competition 1st Maura Doherty on Dawn Adventure, 2nd Donie Fullard on Been There, 3rd Thomas Daniels on Barnaboy Jackeen, 4th Elaine McGowan on Jekyll and Hyde, 5th Martin McBreen on Sunshone Diamond, 6th Cathal Keane on Gordonfield Diamond.

The open show jumping competition 1st David Glynn on Freya De Baussy, 2nd Brendan Dolan on Glenamaddy Lux, 3rd Deirdre McDonald on Nisqually De May, 4th Patricia Warren on Colorado Kid, 5th Danielle Tuohy on Pappin.

The Primary dressage results 1st Madga Maleta on Peanut, 2nd Jacqueline Feeley on Brogue Boy, 3rd Fiona Fenton on Dandy, 3rd Maria Fox on Earl of Clonburn, 4th Christine Rohan on Ramsy, 5th Joan O'Brien on Casper, 5th Dawn Porter on My Handsome Chap, 6th Annette Donohue on Lucky Cozmo.
 
The Advance Primary dressage results are 1st Donna Murray on Temple Troy, 2nd Iris Coleman on The Colemans Daughter, 3rd Tara Brennan on Raven Lad, 4th Jane Conway on Glentaun Tilly, 5th Finola Murphy on Jessie's Kildalton Delight, 6th Sinead Fenton on Cottertown Levi, 6th Rachael Burke on Rockery Blue and 6th Anna Burke on Rockery Sparkle.

The Intermediate dressage results are 1st Niamh Macken on, Captain Smirnoff, 2nd Richard Clarke on High Commissioner, 3rd Tommy Ryan on Mr Silver Darcy

The advanced intermediate dressage was won by Agata Leonard on Eurocent Caletto.
The open dressage won by Patricia Warren on Colorado Kid.
Well done to all riders and what a lovely place Athlone Equestrian Centre is, great facilities and a very sociable day it was!

North West League Final, Templemore Equestrian Centre, Sunday 25 March

The North West League, run jointly by the three AIRC riding clubs in Donegal, traditionally spans the gap from the tail end of a long winter to the green shoots and light of the new spring season. Last Sunday’s league final at Templemore Equestrian Centre on the Donegal/Derry border provided a fitting end to the journey as the sun beat down on the first of summertime’s luxuriously long days.
Rivalry was fierce between the clubs and amongst club members. Letterkenny’s fine novice brigade swept the boards in the lower divisions with Louise Edward’s and Denis Kelly’s wins in the cross poles and welcome stakes classes respectively. Liz Cuffe had a much tougher task in the Primary division but held off Donegal Gaeltacht’s up-and-coming star, Rudi Schneider, for the competition on the day and her own equally promising club mate, Christopher Pyper, for league honors.
Donegal Gaeltacht dominated the Advanced Primary division but this didn’t make the competition any less fierce for top honors on the league table. Rosaleen Harkin, who started the day one point adrift of septuagenarian Lawrence Smyth, rode three horses in the class to ensure the victory was hers. She won the class on the day and secured the Primary & Advanced Primary Leading Rider Award with her win on Hillbilly Rocky.
All three clubs fought it out for the highly competitive Intermediate competition. On the day it was Ruth McCrossan of Donegal Gaeltacht who nailed a fine victory in a 6-way jump off but it was Ruth’s sister, Rachael, who took league honors after a tenacious 2-horse campaign with her own Batteries Not Included and Ruth’s Sioux Indian.
The Advanced Intermediate class, with just four competitors over the course of the League, provided the most compelling conclusion of the afternoon. With only the two contenders for the title turning out on the day, Damien Gallagher led Stephen Greene by one slender point. Stephen, jumping first on his own Indian Puzzle, took two fences out. Damien popped a superb clear on Armstrong and must have thought the class and the title was his. But with the equine reserves of the Gaeltacht at his disposal, Stephen gave it everything. When Moonlight Crystal also incurred penalties he turned to a wonderful club servant, Lawrence Smyth’s Jenny’s Jigsaw, who duly delivered a clear round to give the crowd what they hoped for: a thrilling jump off.  First to go, Stephen jumped a beautiful clear in a cracking time but Damien and Armstrong took up the challenge and nonchalantly delivered a masterful clear in a yet faster time to win the title for Letterkenny.
The Gaeltacht’s strong Open contingent contested a wonderful class. Sally Mahon won the competition with a dashing round on Kerrykeel Lad while Laura Schneider, who jumped so consistently throughout the league, took top league honors.
Damien Gallagher with Letterkenny’s 2011 Club Horse of the Year, Armstrong, took the Intermediate & above Leading Rider Award to bring the curtain down on another memorable North West League.
Well done all riders and competitors, it’s good to see so many out riding in these difficult times!
Next month sees shows being held at Donegal Gaeltacht jump cross and Dalysgrove RC on the bank holiday weekend, The riding club festival on the 9th and 10th Springmount on the 16th and Barnacarrol on the 29th.  Good luck to all going to the festival, have fun and remember your sun cream and your thermals!
Any further information can be emailed to me at melindamorgan2000@hotmail.com or you can check out the blog on http://aircwesternregion.blogspot.com

Monday, May 14, 2012

The Western Region


The Western Region
The winner of Castle Carrigs spring show held at the lovely Duffy’s Equestrian Centre on the 25th March 2012 Primary Show jumping competition was South Roscomon’s Fiona Fenton riding Casper with Castle Carrigs own Emma O’Sullivan riding Lathaknock Star taking second place and Monica Nielsen from Corrib riding Heather Dew in third with Assumpta Shannon, Mairead Barry and  Severine Ray in fourth, fifth and sixth!  Well done!!  
The Advanced Primary competition was won by Dalysgrove John Miland riding Mirah Morning Star, with Caitriona Goaly on Curraghwoppie in second and Christine McWilliams on Guinness MAC from Corrib in third, with Laurence Raferty in fourth, Laurn Gaffney in fifth and Rachel Lyden in sixth.
The Intermediate competition was won by Corrib’s Jean O’Connor riding Leilani, with Benbulben’s  Finola Murphy riding her own Jessie Kildalton Delight in second, Caoillin De Bairead riding Cavalier Kim in third, with new granny Glyn Morgan in fourth Edwina Ruane in fifth and regional secretary Sinead Fenton in sixth!
The Advanced Intermediate competition was won by Corrib’s Therese Dixon on Cracklin Rosie, with Niamh Hegarty on Shanbally Survivor taking second place, Thomas Daniels riding Barna Boy Jackeen from Tynagh in third and Ronan Francis on Monard Chip of Aran in fourth.
David Glynn riding Freya De Boise from Corrib won the open competition with Simone Barry riding Fountain Athlete from Castle Carrig in second.
The regional training day was a huge success and pictures can be found on https://www.facebook.com/groups/westernregionrc/
Benbulben Riding Club Spring show was held at the lovely new Keash Equestrian Centre, Ballymote County Sligo, on 22 April 2012, despite intermittent rain showers and hale stones the day was a huge success.  With jumping and dressage going on all day!  Well done to all winners and riders especially Mary Mahon who won her first Advanced Primary Competition and glamorous granny Glyn Morgan winning Intermediate competition, with Sharon McGowan in second and Finola Murphy in third and Myles McGowan won the Advanced Intermediate class, a good day for Benbulbeners.
Well done to Steven Carty winning AP Flowerhill hunter trials and Joanna Kerins winning Intermediate class.  Well done to all riders who made it round!
On a personal note I would like to welcome baby Rebecca into the world, born 29th March 2012 and I would like to thank all the kind words of support I have received from all my riding club members.
Any further information can be emailed to me on melindamorgan2000@hotmail.com and you can check out the Western Region facebook page!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012


A.I.R.C. WESTERN REGION
Bridge Riding Club Show
Athlone Equestrian Centre, Moydrum, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
Sunday 20th May 2012
Show Jumping Starting @ 9.30 am sharp
• Clear Round – Primary & Advanced Primary (One Hour Allocated)
• Primary Individual
• Advanced Primary Individual
• Primary & Advanced Primary Pairs
• Clear Round - Intermediate to Advanced Open (45 minutes allocated)
• Intermediate Individual
• Advanced Intermediate Individual
• Open Individual
• Advanced Open Individual
• Team Show Jumping Event – open to primary and above. 2 members
from Primary/Advanced Primary and 2 from above.
• Top Score - Intermediate, Advanced, Open, Advanced Open
Entries on day: Clear Round €5, Individual €10, Pairs €15, Top Score
€10, H/C €5, Team Show jumping event €15 for team of 4
Dressage Starting @ 11 am sharp (Grass Arena)
• Primary AIRC A 2011
• Advanced Primary AIRC B 2012
• Intermediate AIRC 15 2008
• Advanced Intermediate AIRC 20 2010
• Open/Advanced Open AIRC 29 2009
Entries on day Individual €10


AIRC Western Region
Sunday 6 May 2012 · 
Lenamore Stables, Muff, County Donegal
Rosettes Individual Classes: 1–6 / Novelty events: 1–3 prizes 1–3

Dressage
Primary: AIRC A (2011)
Advanced Primary: AIRC B (2012)
 Intermediate: AIRC 15 (2008)
Advanced Intermediate: AIRC 20 (2010)
Open: AIRC 29 (2009)

N.B. Dressage will run strictly from 12.30 to 3pm


Beginning at 11.30 sharp: Clear Round Jumping at P/AP height
(Running for a maximum of 45 minutes and available on a first come, first served basis.)
Primary Individual
Advanced Primary Individual
P/AP Novelty Pairs
Beginning at (very) approximately 2pm:
Clear Round Jumping at Int. height
(Maximum of 45 minutes, first come, first served.)
Intermediate Individual
Advanced Intermediate Individual
Open/Advanced Open Individual
(N.B. If there are not more than 2 O/AO riders, this class will be combined with the AI class.)
I/AI/O Topscore


Safety officer Cormac McCormack coursebuilder Seamus McCaffrey
show jumping judge Patricia Warren dressage judge Jackie McPherson
€5 clear round jumping · €10 dressage and all individual and novelty jumping classes
Special €25 combo price for dressage + individual jumping + novelty class
Stabling and accommodation details available on request.

Entries on the day · Enquiries to Orla O’Reilly t 087 643 2458 e oreilly.orla@gmail.com

Corrib/Tonabrucky Masters Qualifier
Duffy’s Claregalway        Sunday 29th April 2012
Show Jumping Sand 10am start
Primary Individual                                                                              €10
Adv Primary Individual                                                                      €10
Mixed Pairs-all grades                                                                        €15
Int Individuals                                                                                      €10
Adv Int Individuals                                                                            €10
Open/Adv Open Individuals                                                              €10

Clear Round-Indoor 9.30-10.45.am

Dressage  Starting at 11.00am Entry on the day
Primary                   AIRC A 2011                                €10
Adv Primary         AIRC B 2012                                  €10
Int                         AIRC 15 2008                                €10
Adv Int                  AIRC 20 2010                                €10
Open                     AIRC 29 2009                                €10
Adv Open             BD 34 2009                                     €10
Horses going H/C     €5

Show Jumping & Dressage -   Prizes 1st – 3rd   Rosettes 1st – 6th
Best Turned out Prize on the day!!!

Course builder – Mark Duffy
Show Jumping Judge – Mark Duffy
Dressage Judge –Tracey Ward
Safety Officer – Jean OConnor
For more details contact Marie Feeney 0851451975 or  Monica Kenny 0861767445