Siobhan Mulligan and Penny

On 23^rd July, Ardnacashel Equestrian saw week 7 of the show jumping league take place. It was a busy evening full of anticipation and excitement of competitors as the final is quickly approaching on 30^th July!

In the x-pole to 50 cm class which is kindly sponsored by Tony Heaney Contracts the double clears were Anya Teuton and Starlight, Rozy Corry riding Calvyn, Alice Magill with Bernie, Kenzie Dickson riding Cotton and Regan McKee on Duke who jumped fantastically at his first outing! Zara Wood and Shorty also deserve a mention as her pony has only come back into work after a months break yet nobody would have known as they jumped brilliantly!

Double clears in the 60 – 70 cm class, kindly sponsored by Greenville Electrical Supplies were Zara Wood who this time was on board Max and Alice Magill on her coloured pony Bernie.

Gwen Scott jumping Tonto

In the 70 – 80 cm class which is kindly sponsored by Ferndale Boarding Kennels and Doggy Day Care, Rebecca Connolly and Flymo jumped a beautiful double clear as did Felicity Johnston with Mistletoe and Emma Dowds on Sunny.

There were no double clears in the 90 cm to 1m class which is kindly sponsored by BEFAB Ltd However the following competitors all scored one point towards the final Ellie Dickson riding Fergie, William Girvin with Milo, Victoria Minnis on board Belle, Georgia Kirkwood and Tia Maria, Caroline Morris riding Cavalier Mealough Lass, Joshua Russell riding Lisbane Classic Clover, Vicky Teuton on Aoife and Gwen Scott on Tonto.

For the final there will be double points awarded. All competitors will be given the opportunity to jump off from class 2 to class 4 regardless of faults or not having qualified. All riders will be placed but there will be a separate prize giving for all qualified riders who have gained points over the previous weeks.  For more details please visit our website www.ardnacashelequestrian.co.uk.

Ailsa Martin riding Shakira

Well done to all the competitors and Ardnacashel look forward to seeing everyone at the Final!

Jump Cross Fun at Ardnacashel

On 26^th July at Ardnacashel Equestrian Comber, was the second of a series of Jump Crosses. These events are very kindly sponsored by Botanica. The weather did not dampen spirits at the event even if horses and riders needed a spare change of clothes at the end of the day!

In the first class of the morning which was 70cm, Siobhan Mulligan and her cob of many talents Penny, rode a fantastic round gaining first place! Siobhan’s daughter, Olivia Mulligan also rode in this class giving her mum a run for her money and coming in a close, second position on her pony Riverdale Lad.

In the 85 cm class, Lauren Ferguson and her beautiful grey, Sherbert, went into cruise control round the cross country phase of the event, right into first place! Ailsa Martin and Shakira came in second position and Jane riding Roxy came third. Ellie Dickson with her big coloured gelding Fergie rode their way into fourth place!

Finally in the meter class, Ellie McCullough and Lily came in first position. Well done to Fiona McJury and Badger who won the Ardnacashel Rug for best turned out horse and rider combination!

Very well done to all the competitors! There will be Thursday Derby Nights starting on 13^th August and a Derby Fun Day on 19^th September! In the meantime please remember the Summer Show is being held 1^st August! Visit www.ardnacashelequestrian.co.uk for details!

Kerry Finlay Photo AP Photography

Saturday 14 March 2015 saw our Annual St Patrick’s Show.  The weather was on our side after the very wet run up to the show.  All classes were held in the two arenas to ensure a sure footing for all competitors.  The day commenced with a strong Lightweight Show Horse Class with Diane McCully riding Irish Echo taking first place, Debbie Osborough riding Cairnside Mr Pickles was placed second, Ryan Anderson riding Coralstown Buffet, Ailsa Martin on her Chestnut Mare took fourth place and Ruth Hendry riding Rockrimmon Waltz took 5th place.  The Middleweight Class Winner was Robbie McNeill on Alti Levelly Sonet and the Heavyweight Winner was Gwen Scott riding Robert Morrow’s Morrows Man of the Moment.

Rhonda Huddleson Photo AP Photography

The Amateur Class Red Rosette was taken by a very pleased Rhonda Huddleson riding Blaze of Thunder, Robbie McNeill riding Alti Levelly Sonet took second position, third place went to an ecstatic Kerry Finlay riding her grey gelding Bolero, fourth place went to Kate Spiers riding Yogi and fifth position went to Ruth Hendry on Rockrimmon Waltz.  The Small Riding Horse class was won by Rhonda Huddleson on her lovely grey Blaze of Thunder, second place went to Robin Heron riding Dun & Dusted, Third position was taken by Sarah Bradshaw riding Phoenix, fourth place went to Ryan Anderson riding Rockrimmon Rob Roy, fifth place went to Zara Fletcher riding Come What May and finally sixth place went to Victoria Gardiner on Raspberry Beret. Louise Sullivan riding Rockin Rollo won the Lightweight Cob Class, Kate Spiers on her ever faithfull steed Wee Rosco took second place, 3rd position was taken by Tracey Robbie riding Jake, Lynn Clements riding Yogi took fourth place and Siobhan Mulligan riding Miss Moneypenny took fifth place.

Siobhan Mulligan Photo AP Photography

Heavyweight Cob winner was Gemma Rodgers riding Guinness and Laura Bell riding Mr Bumble won the Maxi Cob Class.  Olivia McMath riding Arabella won the Coloured Horse class.  The Irish Draft Class winner was Judith Jackson riding her Grey Gelding Soms Silver Kingdom, Gwen Scott riding Darcy took second place and Laura Bell on Mr Bumble took third place.  The Veteran Class winner was Rozy Corry riding Action Time.  Race Horse to Riding Horse winner was Gail Smyth riding her Bay Gelding Bruno, Louise McMinn riding Bravo took second position.  Small Breed Mountain & Moorland Cradle Stakes Class Winner was Sarah Bradshaw riding Cefnhendre Iolo.

Reece Hogg Photo AP Photography

Open Working Hunter Starter Stakes winner was Lucy Kayes riding Bronelli Winston. Open 133 cm Working Hunter Pony Class was won by Cerys Howell riding Captain Morgan.  Small Breed Mountain & Moorland Working Hunter Pony Class was won by Samantha Edgar riding The Iceman and second place was taken by Cerys Howell riding Captain Morgan. The Pony Championship Class for classes 32-36 Champion was Lucy Kayes riding Bronelli Winston and Reserve was Cerys Howell on Captain Morgan. The Open 143 cm Class was won by Darcey Steenson riding Almost Midnight and second place went to Cerys Howell riding Foxy Roxy.

Colin Armstrong Photo AP Photography

The Large Breed Mountain & Moorland Class was won by Emily Magowan riding Benny Liath, second position was also taken by Emily Magowan riding Rathbane Legend, third place went to Cerys Howell riding Mr Murphy, fourth place went to Hanna Thompson riding Ballynacoy Savannah, fifth position was taken by Casey Thompson riding Fflur Garnon and sixth position went to Zara Gabby riding Tulla Juno. The Open 153 cm class winner was Darcey Steenson riding Almost Midnight.  The Championship for Classes 37 – 40 was Champion Emily Magowan riding Benny Liath and Reserve Emily Magowan riding Rathbane Legend.  A very strong Amateur Working Hunter Horse Class commenced directly after lunch with Cara Swanston riding Come What May took first place, second position went to Andree Fitchie riding Millparks Shogun, third place went to Colin Armstrong riding Jack. Fourth place went to Fiona Mcjury riding Touch O Cat, Fifth position went to Louise McMinn riding Bravo and six position to Felicity Pearce riding Smoky.

Sarah Bradshaw Photo AP Photography

The Cob Class winner was Kate Spiers riding Wee Rosco, Siobhan Mulligan took second place riding Miss Moneypenny and Kate Spiers riding Yogi.  The Small Working Hunter Class winner was Sarah Russell riding Mullaghdrin Lass and second place went to Sarah Bradshaw riding Phoenix.  The Novice 90 cm class was won by Reece Hogg riding Animation, second place went to Sarah Russell on Mullaghdrin Lass, third place to Felicity Pearce riding Smoky, fourth position was taken by Gwen Scott riding Lacy, fifth place went to Judith Jackson riding Soms Silver Kingdom and Claire Lancashire riding Springhill Boy took sixth place.  Show Hunter Pony winner and Champion was Charlotte Glenn riding Dinky Dino.  Novice Show Hunter Pony was won by Lucy Kayes on Bronelli Winston, second place went to Amy Nevins riding Oreo and third place went to Lucy Burn riding Singing Sandy.  133cm Open Show Hunter Pony winner was Amy Nevins on Oreo and Lucy Burn riding Singing Sandy took second place.  153 cm Open Show Hunter Pony and Intermediate Pony Class was amalgamated and Megan Houston riding Impish claimed first place and Rebecca Gill riding Grace took second place.   The Championship for classes 5 – 10 Champion was Lucy Kayes on Bronelli Winston and Reserve Champion Megan Houston on Impish.  The Mountain & Moorland Small Breed Class was won by Sarah Bradshaw riding Cefnhendre Iolo and second place was taken by Lynn Pollock riding Alvin.  The Mountain & Moorland Large Breed Class was won by Fiona Glover riding Castlebrae JJ, second place went to Casey Thompson on Fflur Garnon and Teoni-Le McKibbin riding Ellen took third place. The Championship for classes 11 and 12 Champion was Fiona Glover riding Castlebrae JJ and Reserve Champion Teoni-Le McKibbin riding Ellen.  Ardnacashel would like to thank its sponsors for the day, namely, Allbed Equine Bedding, Mackins of Newry and Down Royal Racecourse.   Competitors in the showing classes were also able to avail of using the Rolltack Unit for remounting and storing their saddle while their horses were stripped during their classes.  This Rolltack Unit is the star prize of our on going Working Hunter League, the next date of same is Saturday 28th March 2015 with horses starting at 10 am and ponies not before 2 pm.  We look forward to welcoming everyone to our venue.

Olivia Mulligan on Harvey Photo AP Fotos

Thursday 30 October 2014 Ardnacashel Equestrian Comber held its Spooky Jump Cross.  A very well dressed course which included pumpkins, scarecrows and even skeletons adorned the jumps.  Once again Janice out done herself in building an inviting, but testing course which all competitors thoroughly enjoyed.  The day started with the 70 cm class where once again Claire Dobbin on her fabulous mount Louie had the fastest clear round in the class winning the very popular rug.  Young Olivia Mulligan gave it her best shot on Harvey and was less than a second behind Clare putting her into second place.  Katie McKee on her new horse Teddy also produced a great clear round going on to secure third place!  The 85 cm class was hotly contested and it was Tola Thompson on Jake who took the red rosette with a very fast time.  Mags Ross had a great day out and done the double taking 2nd and 3rd places on Samara (her lovely new mare) and Chester respectively.  The meter class victor was the very talented Gwen Scott riding Rafa and Regan McKee on Willow took second place.  Tilly Hoarder riding Duke took third place.  Well done to all competitors for taking part.
Our next Jump Cross will be our Christmas Event on Saturday 27th December 2014.  See our websitewww.ardnacashelequestrian.co.uk and our facebook page for more details or alternatively contact Janice directly on 07921760441.

Claire Dobbin with Louie, Photo AP Fotos

Results 70 cm
1st Claire Dobbin on Louie
2nd Olivia Mulligan on Harvey
3rd Katie McKee on Teddy
4thLara Kelly on Rex
5th Rachel Moore on Pippin
6th Victoria Hale on Oscar

85 cm
1st Tola Thompson on Jake
2nd Mags Ross on Samara
3rd Mags Ross on Chester

Mag Ross and Tola Thompson Photo AP Fotos

4th Kathryn McKibbin on Shadow
5th Rachel Moore on Sammy
6th Tola Thompson on Lachlann

1m
1st Gwen Scott on Rafa
2nd Regan McKee on Willow
3rd Tilly Hoarder on Duke
4th Gwen Scott on Cava
5th Katie McKee on Dougal
6th Alex Cleland on Whisper Grey

The night kicked off with cross poles and progressed to 1.10 m.  Once again Janice built a course that asked questions of both equine and human alike.

The blue water tray caused a bit of a stir for a few riders, but, all were able to negotiate the tray! Training shows continue Thursday nights from 7 pm 3rd, 10th and 17th July.

Our Show Jumping League commences on Sunday the 6 July at 10 am with the coveted Ardnacashel Rugs up for grabs as prizes!  To be eligible for prizes competitors need to attend 4 out of the 5 of the dates.

Classes will be x’poles, 50 cm, 60 cm, 70 cm, 80 cm, 90 cm and 1 m. £10 per class.  We look forward to welcoming everyone to Ardnacashel Equestrian.

For further info contact Janice at 07921760441.

The action will begin with horse classes in the morning and pony classes will take place each Sunday afternoon.

There is further information on the Ardnacashel Equestrian website (click here) or you can call Janice on 07921 760441.  For those competitors who haven’t been to Ardnacashel before, it is located at the following address:  51 Tullynagee Rd, Comber, Newtownards, Down BT23 5SE.

Ardnacashel aso have an active Facebook page where news of all events and activities are regularly updated.