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Former World Champion Dermott Lennon is favourite to win the first ever Jumping In The City Grand Prix on Friday

With just two days to go before The Underwriting Exchange Limited “Jumping In The City” begins at Limerick Greyhound Stadium, Paddy Power Bookmakers have released ante-post prices on the feature Underwriting Exchange Grand Prix.

Judy Reynolds and Vancouver K (Photo courtesy of Marta Fusetti)

Irish National Champion Judy Reynolds has moved up twenty places to number 80 in the latest monthly FEI World Individual Dressage Ranking [Version No: 172 1/5/2014 to 30/4/2015 Published Wednesday, May 6, 2015].

Written by Paul Nolan

James Connor (Photo supplied courtesy of to Marta Fusetti)

Judy set a new Irish international Grand Prix Kür(Freestyle to Music) record score of 75.775% when placing sixth with Joe & Kathleen Reynolds' 13-year-old Jazz gelding Vancouver K at the four-star show in Hagen, Germany last month. She also picked up more ranking points for a personal best score of 70.70% when placing sixth in the Hagen FEI Grand Prix class. Significantly Hagen is the first Olympic Athlete/Horse ranking show Judy has competed at during the FEI Olympic ranking period [9/3/2015 to 6/3/2016] which is part of the process to determine the individual dressage combinations that will qualify to compete in Rio. Reynolds (33) from Kilteel, Co. Kildare and currently based in Germany has moved up 43 places in the World rankings in the last two months. 

James Connor (55) from Dublin and based in Italy has moved up 133 places in one month to 253rd in the World rankings after placing second with his 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding Casino' Royal in the Grand Prix Special at the CDI3* show in Caselle Di Sommacampagna, Italy in April on a score of 66.55%.

Judy and James have both qualified to compete at the 2015 FEI European Dressage Championships in Aachen, Germany this August.

The FEI World Individual Dressage rankings differ from the Longines World Individual Jumping rankings as the dressage ranking is calculated on a horse and rider combination basis. For example, Bertram Allen's jumping ranking is based on his results with a number of horses including Molly Malone V, Romanov, Belmonde and Wild Thing L. This is not the case in dressage. For example, leading German international rider Isabell Werth appears six times in the latest FEI World Individual Dressage rankings with Bella Rose 2(6th), Don Johnson (13th), El Santo (20th), Weihegold OLD (490th), Harmonie (503rd) and Der Stern OLD (570th). The ranking is based on the best eight scores of the horse and rider combination, in the designated period, in Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Kür(Freestyle to Music) classes. There are some minor adjustments to reflect the higher scoring at freestyle level and a range of bonus points for Olympic Games, Championships, World Cup Final, World Cup Qualifiers along with Nations' Cup and four and five star shows. The current FEI World Individual Dressage rankings list is comprised of 780 horse and rider combinations.

League Results
1st Leeann Radcliffe, Inca
2nd Joan Gibson, Megan
3rd Sylvia Maguire, Tango

70cms
1st Zoe Bell, Hedfrons Half Pint
2nd Clare McFarland, Scooby
3rd Erin Winning, Titch
4th Shannon Baird, Belhill Rebels Boy
5th Reah Magee, Mr Moneyspinner
6th Victoria Laverty, Indie

League Results
1st Clare McFarland, Scooby
2nd Nikki McAlister, Plan B

4yr old WH
1st Tegan Clarke, Dalways Checkmate
2nd Corinne Robb, Braeview little Ceasar

Small WH
1st Zoe Bell, Heffrons Half Pint
= 2nd Lorraine Lyttle, Archie
= 2nd Nuala McNally, Hailey
4th Ursula Bamford, Tilly
5th Mag Ross, Rockrimmon Rob Roy
6th Janet Craig, Glenfee Lad

League Results
1st Zoe Bell, Heffrons half pint
2nd Megan Norton, Hatti

Festival 80cms
1st Kerry Taylor, Truly
2nd Ian Jones, Ebony
3rd Andrew Getty, Callum
4th Victoria White, Temple Bui
5th Ian Gault, Georgie be good
6th Miriam Wright, The Castletown Lad

League Results
1st Miriam Wright, The Castletown Lad

Festival 90cms
1st Sarah Brittain, Tigger
2nd Shannon Baird, Isle of glass trooper
3rd Nuala McNally, Sonni
4th Andrew Getty, Callum
5th Ian McCluggage, Beckham
6th Vicky Morton, Trigger

Festival 1M
1st Alison McClean, Shilow Natal
2nd Ian McCluggage, Beckham
3rd Nicole Billings, Amber
4th Vicky Morton, Trigger

League Results
1st Nicole Billings, Amber

30cm WHP
1st Sarah Johnston, Dapple
2nd Toby Davidson, Jake
3rd Grace Morton, Rocky
4th Clonagh Brady, Sweetwall Pepper
5th Jodie Dalton, I believe in fairies
6th Ruby Meldrum, St Johnstor Super Bloom

League Results
1st Jodie Dalton, I believe in fairies
2nd Clonagh Brady, Sweetwall Pepper

50cm WHP
1st Ellie Johnston, Dapple
2nd Anna Jackson, Thor
3rd Toby Davidson, Jake
4th Ruth Curran, Candy
5th Grace Morton, Rocky

League Results
1st Ellie Johnston, Dapple

60cm WHP
1st Eva McClurg, Woody
2nd Ellie Johnston, Dapple
3rd Anna Jackson, Thor
4th Lexi Spackman, Dalways Lucky Clover

League Results
1st Ellie Johnston, Dapple

70cm WHP
1st Samantha Billings, Harry
2nd Eva McClurg, Woody
3rd Victoria Greenaway, Maximillion
4th Lexi Spackman, Dalways Lucky Clover
5th Bethany Smith, Charlie Dream
6th Samantha Billings, Sammy

80cm WHP
1st Victoria Greenaway, Maximillion
2nd Rachel Lockyear, Lord Gregory
3rd Morgan Skillen, Mayo
4th Eva MClurg, Robin
5th Sarah Brittain, Harvey
6th Bethany Smyth, Charlie Dream

90cm WHP
1st Morgan Skillen, Mayo

All Silver showjumping at Knockagh
Knockagh View Equestrian Centre, Greenisland is holding an All Silver Showjumping day on Sunday 29th March.  Jumping starts at 11am with 30cms to 1M, this will be held in the huge all weather outdoor arena weather permitting. For full details visit our websitewww.knockaghviewec@yahoo.com or contact Scott on 07788203076 or Ruth on 07732809188.

Mr Rex Humphries receiving cheque for £1000 from Route Hunt for RDA Coleraine

Saturday 14^th March was the last hunt of the 2014/2015 season for The Route hunt .Hunt members and friends gathered at Ballylagan Equestrian Centre  and enjoyed refreshments provided by Martin & Frances Mellet of Jazz Horses. Before setting off a cheque for £1000  was presented  to Mr Rex Humphries President of RDA Coleraine. Mr Humphries expressed his thanks and appreciation for the generous donation which would help fund the worthwhile work of RDA Coleraine. At 12.30 pm the hunt set off for the first round of the gallop at Ballylagan under the leadership of the Rockwood Harriers hunt master who was visiting the Route Hunt for the day.

Emma Louise Murray on Paddy in flight over the gallop logs

There was then another gallop lead by hunt member Eamon O’Connor for numerous more jumps. Having completed the jumps at Ballylagan the hunt went for a short hack to   Mr Humphries farm. Here there were numerous fences, bales, ditches, hedges and laneways. Several riders parted company with their horses  but all were able to remount and carry on. By 3.30pm the majority of riders had been out long enough and had jumped enough fences  so they returned to Ballylagan for further freshments and to discuss the events of the day.

Lesley McDowell on Charlie in flight over the gallop logs

A few stayed out for longer but  managed to part company with their horses and ended up with cuts and bruises and jodphurs and jackets  needing  several hours steeping to get them ready for next season. Thanks goes to Huntsman Jonny Butler and  the Jazz Horses team for setting up the day and to Rex Humphries for the use of his land and Martin Mellett for the use of Ballylagan. The hunt members and committee thank all those involved in setting up this seasons hunts and the farmers and landowners who allow the hunt the use of their land.

If anyone has any free time and would be willing to help with the set up of meets for next season or if you have fallen stock for the hunt then  contact the huntsman Jonny Butler on 07845810563.

The next Route Hunt event  will be  hunter trials held at Maddybenny equestrian centre on Sunday 26th April 2015.The course will be as used by Eventing Ireland on Saturday 25^th April so as well as being a great training ground with lots of prizes and rosettes up for grabs it should also be a fun day for all.

When:      18 – 24 May 2015

Where:     Online at www.bluecross.org.uk/NEHS

What:       A short, anonymous snapshot survey about your horse’s health

Why:           To help safeguard the future health and welfare of our horses and ponies

The National Equine Health Survey (NEHS) is an important annual survey run by leading charity Blue Cross, in partnership with the British Equine Veterinary Association. It’s a unique opportunity for horse owners to give feedback about the health of their horses, ponies and donkeys so that the most common diseases and problems be identified, prioritised and addressed.

NEHS is supported by the UK’s leading equestrian organisations and charities and sponsored by SPILLERS and Zoetis. It has now been running for five years and is already helping our knowledge of horse heath. Participation increased threefold last year, with data collected from over 12,301 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules in the UK, demonstrating the equestrian nation’s enthusiasm to do their bit. The results help to establish benchmarks for equine health and disease in the UK and define priorities for future research, training and education. Equine and veterinary colleges and universities also use the data as primary source material.

Last year we discovered more about the rise of Atypical Myopathy in the UK. Further awareness of this highly fatal disease is now being raised, incidences are being recorded and monitored by UK vets, and further research is continuing. For the second year lameness was identified as the most common syndrome and there was an apparent increase in laminitis compared with previous years. The 2014 survey also highlighted that 20% of owners are unaware of the risk of encysted small redworm and showed that the reported number of overweight horses and ponies had more than doubled since the previous year.

Gemma Taylor, Education Officer at Blue Cross said: “Over the past five years NEHS has become a crucial information resource for the equestrian industry. It is helping us to steer awareness, education and research with the sole purpose of safeguarding the future healthcare of our horses. By giving five minutes of your time to complete the survey you can help to make a lifetime of difference.”

Visit www.bluecross.org.uk/NEHS or email NEHS@bluecross.org.uk to register for NEHS.

The Pony Club Mini Major International Show Jumping Class Following the successful running of the Mini Major competition at last year’s Olympia, The Pony Club were once again asked to select Members to compete at the 2014 show on Monday, 22nd December. The Mini Major Competition pairs up Pony Club Members on 128 cm ponies with Top International Riders, with whom they walk the course and then jump as a pair, and they are always so nice and supportive to their young partner.

The International show jumper goes first, their round isn’t timed, when they land their Mini partner sets off and their time is taken. The following Area 17 Members and ponies competed in the Mini Major at the London Olympia International Horse Show 2014 in December:- Anabelle Heffron (Miss Elegant) – Iveagh Niall McEvoy (Sparkling Majestic Caesar) – Seskinore Harriers Anabelle was paired with Guy Williams an ex-Pony Club member and Niall was paired with Reed Kessler, from the USA.

Niall jumped an impressive clear round. His time was rivalled by the next competitor and when Anabelle went to jump after her international partner Guy Williams, she jumped a fantastic, fast and balanced round to go into the lead; all the Area 17 supporters were absolutely thrilled.

The last competitor went 0.9 seconds faster than Anabelle, so Anabelle came a fantastic second place and Niall was in fifth place. Both Niall and Anabelle rode so well despite the noise, bright lights and excitement and they both enjoyed the wonderful experience, as did their Area 17 support group who were delighted by the way the two young people performed.

Vanne Campbell who has attended the Mini Major many times over the years said “Liz Lowry, Area Representative was so thrilled to hear how well our Area 17 young members rode, and how they coped so well with the intense atmosphere. We should all be very proud of them. It is a wonderful competition and experience for our young show jumpers.”

The hospital is located within the grounds of the old Greenmount Stud and the facility has been reinvigorated to create a centre of excellence for equine care. Offering a wide range of services including neo-natal critical care, lameness/poor performance investigations, reproductive services and with a fully equipped surgical facility we will be able to cater for your horse’s every need.

Greenmount Equine Hospital is headed up by Donncha Houlihan MVB MRCVS and Paul Houlihan MVB MRCVS. Both brothers are originally from Birdhill, Co. Tipperary and look forward to offering their combined experience to owners, trainers and breeders in the surrounding areas.

Donncha Houlihan commented “We are delighted to have the opportunity to return home and set up a dedicated equine veterinary facility in a location such as Greenmount Park which is steeped in equine history and so close to Limerick Racecourse. We are looking forward to welcoming Lady Harrington to officially launch the hospital. We would also like to extend an open invitation to anybody wishing to receive a tour of our new facility on the day and afterwards to join us in a toast to the winner of the Annual Greenmount Equine Hospital Bumper”.
For more information please do not hesitate to contact the office.

Greenmount Equine Hospital, Greenmount Park, Limerick Racecourse, Patrickswell, Co. Limerick
Office: 061 513777 / 087 994 7682 Email: greenmountequinehospital@gmail.com
Website: www.greenmountequinehospital.ie

Edited with BlogPad Pro

Rosie Alcorn on Holly in flight over the ditch

On Saturday 20^th December 2014   Route hunt members  gathered at The Coast Inn Myroe  for a pre-Christmas drink before setting off on their weekly hunt. Hunt Master Philip White welcomed everyone to Myroe and thanked the owners of The Coast for the use of the carpark.There was a short hack along the Seacoast Road before heading  onto  the laneway at Kanes farm which led to the field with the first jump of the day. There were then several ditches before the willow path where jumps had been made out of cut willow.

The hunt then followed the river with  a few more jumps, a 5 bar gate and another ditch before making their way onto the land used by Foylehov for hovercrafting. The hunt then crossed the road towards the point to point field  for a pallet jump  and the last ditch of the day. Huntsman Jonny Butler crossed with ease.  Whipper in Julie Smith was next to take on the ditch. Unfortunately Humphrey didn’t quite make it and Julie  had to dismount in the water filled ditch. This did not deter  Eamon O’Connor or Campbell Smith who flew over the ditch to great cheer.

Campbell Smith on Diamond in flight over the last ditch of the day

Whipper in Gerard McCloskey was next  but like Humphrey, Rio didn’t quite make it so both Whippers in  were wet. By this stage Huntmaster  Philip White had found another point to cross which wasn’t as wide and  several others including Gerard and Julie took this option. For some the thought of getting wet so close to home was not a plan and they took the road back to The Coast Inn where all met and  enjoyed soup and wheaten bread  around the open fire and discussed the events of the day with a drink with the local farmers and landowners who had allowed the hunt the use of their land for the day. All had enjoyed another good day out and the weather had held up.

The Route Hunt Committee and hunt  members wish all their farmers and landowners  a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2015.

The next  hunt which is only for hunt  members is  at 12 noon on  Boxing Day.

One well known breeder, owner and producer is Desmond Gibson of Dromara who had perhaps the most successful day of all competitors at last years Castlewellan show.   His broodmare Ballycapple Blackbird (Sire Ghareeb and dam Ballycapple Clover) won the following classes during Castlewellan 2013:

Brood Mare (Light Weight) to produce High Class Hunter. Due to foal in 2013 or with foal at foot.

The Castlewellan McSherry Perpetual Trophy Championship

TS Foods £150 Brood Mare Premium Class

Championship Sponsored by: MURDOCK SADDLERY, Drumbo

Half Bred Breeders Championship

The Irish Shows Association and West Cork Horse Breeders All Ireland Breeders Championship

On the same day, her foal at foot sired by Emperor Augustus won Class 24a – Non-Thoroughbred Colt Foal. (Progeny of mares in Class 24).

This year Dessie has two horses in search for a star young horse championship

A two year old by golden master.  Lurgan show was first time in the ring and he made his mark winning his class and claiming reserve champion.  Castlewellan will be his second time in show ring and we can’t wait to see how he does.

Dessie also plans to bring his three year old who was reserve champion at Balmoral earlier this year and second last week at Bannow and Rathangan three year old all Ireland Championship.  Glountane Premier was champ young horse at castlewellan last year.

Dessie commented that he was looking forward to Castlewellan as it is an ideal show with regards to setting and timing to prepare his two year old before Dublin.

Lillian Graham won the minature horse championship with Ballygowan Sweetheart in 2012 and 2013 and has entered once again for the 2014 show this Saturday.

Kellee Graham, Lillian’s daughter bought Ballygowan Sweetheart in 2011 and began her showing career in 2012 as a 2 year old.  Since then, she has been unbeaten and they are very grateful to have enjoyed such positive seasons with the mare.

Ballygowan Sweetheart is sired by a stallion owned by Lillian until a short while ago when he passed away.  The stallion Shadow Clay Epsom Downs was bought from England to further the breed and the dam Ennis Modena has also enjoyed a prolific career herself qualifying for HOYS as a yearling and 2 year old.

Accompanying Ballygowan Sweetheart for the day will be her half brother who is by an American stallion Golden Oak Moonlit Reflection.  Both minature horses are registered with British Minature Society .

The Graham family are looking forward to this years show where they hope to see this discipline develop further to enjoy a wider range of minatures taking part, as in previous years, Falabella and American breeding have also joined the scene.

From over 15 years, Castlewellan show have been leading the way with minature classes nurturing this showing discipline and giving local producers a top class show to prepare for on their doorstep.

The events team at Equestrian News NI are looking forward to the show on Saturday and we hope to have lots of results and photographs online throughout the day to keep everyone up to date.