Robyn McFadden winning Class 2b – 95cm under 18

On Monday 5th May 2014 North Down Pony Club held its 75th Anniversary One Day Event at Ballygraffan, Comber with the kind permission of J & J Burgess. The forecast wasn’t good but apart from a few light showers the day remained dry and windy, much to everyone’s relief. The competition ran very much to time thanks to all the competitors arriving for their various phases on time and to the sterling work done by the stewards keeping everything going smoothly.

Class 1 – 1.10m – was the smallest of the day with only 9 competitors but the competition was close at the end with just over 10 points separating the top 4 competitors.  The top dressage score was Sarah Reid with a brilliant 15.6. The cross-country course was a challenging one but five of the nine people finished with a clean slate jumping, showing bravery and skill. However all had time penalties to add to their dressage and show jumping scores.

Lynne Ireland – Tennis, winner of the 1.10m class

Results: 1st Lynne Ireland-Tennis, 38.8; 2nd Holly Wray, 41.6; 3rd Toby Fynn, 46.0

Class 2a – 95cm over 18 – had 18 competitors who had mixed fortunes in all phases.  The best dressage score was last to go Grainne Bennett on 24.0. Thirteen of the 18 were clear in the show jumping phase but the cross country caused a few problems. Only four, Eric Pele, Vicky Clegg, Rachel Hughes and Marina Stewart finished with no time penalties and fourteen went clear jumping.

Results: 1st Grainne Bennett, 24.4; 2nd Eric Pele, 31.2; 3rd Rachel Hughes, 33.6

Class 2b – 95cm under 18 – had 17 competitors. The best dressage came from Izzy Riley with 30.8 and nearly all went clear show jumping so a lot was resting on the cross country. Only four were inside the time – Ellen Erskine, Robyn McFadden, Harriet Pele and Jasmine Crothers. The jumping course caused a lot of problems with a couple of people being eliminated even though there were a number of L fences around the course.

Kathryn McCaughan who went on to win class 3b – 80cm under 18

Results: 1st Robyn McFadden, 39.6; 2nd Harriet Pele, 40.8; 3rd Aisling Monaghan, 43.8.

Class 3a – 80cm over 18 – was the biggest class with 30 riders. The best dressage score was Ashleigh Rea on a score of 23.3. The show jumping asked a lot of questions  with only 14 competitors registering a clear round. The cross country also was problematic for a number of competitors and placings changed again. In the end only 2 marks separated the top three.

Results: 1st Kathryn Henderson, 25.8; 2nd Michael Boyd, 26.4; 3rd Ashleigh Rea, 27.5

Class 3b – 80cm under 18 – This was also a big class with 29 competitors. The best dressage score was Kathryn McCaughan on 30.4. Show jumping again asked a lot of questions with just over half the riders leaving all the poles in place. Equally in the cross country just under half went clear. Well done to the top three competitors who all finished on their dressage score.

Prize winners of class 1 with Lady Perdita Blackwood, Clandeboye and Lady Clark, Ballygowan Who very kindly came along to present prizes

Results: 1st Kathryn McCaughan, 30.4; 2nd Herbie Purse, 36.3; 3rd Joanna Eames, 37.1

North Down Pony Club would like to say thank you to all who helped in any way to ensuring the success of the day, all too numerous to mention. From fence building to fence painting, from car parking to food, from warm up to call up, from judging to scoring, from pole lifting to fence changing, from paperwork to tidy up, without all the help such a big event would not have been possible. The success of the day was tantamount to the slick and efficient way all those people carried out their jobs.

A big vote of thanks also goes to the many generous sponsors for their support as running such an event is an expensive business. We would ask you to support them in the future if you can.

A special thanks goes to all the past members and friends who came along to compete and help. It was great to have some of the ex DC’s present. Lady Perdita Blackwood, Mrs Liz Lowry and Mr Simpson Cochrane helped by Lady Clark presented many of the prizes. Mr David Williams, whose mother is credited to have been the founder of the branch and Mr Ernest McMillen, a Life Vice President of the Pony Club both called in during the day.

A full copy of the results can be found on the North Down website http://branches.pcuk.org/northdown and photographs can be found on the Prime Photography website.

Classes and Entry Fees
Class 1A – 1.10m – For horses with Eventing Ireland points
Dressage test – Pony Club Open Eventing Test 2010
Class 1B – 1.10m – For horses with no Eventing Ireland points
Dressage test – Pony Club Open Eventing Test 2010
Class 2A – 95cm – For riders 18 & over 18 on 01/01/14
Dressage test – Pony Club Intermediate Eventing Test 2009
Class 2B – 95cm – For riders under 18 on 01/01/14
Dressage test – Pony Club Intermediate Eventing Test 2009
Class 3A – 80cm – For riders 18 & over on 01/01/14
Dressage test – Pony Club Novice Eventing Test 2013
Class 3B – 80cm – For riders under 18 on 01/01/14
Dressage test – Pony Club Novice Eventing Test 2013
All classes £40.00
Cross country will be open for walking on 4th May at 2pm.

Send entries to : Mrs S Vollands, 38 Magherascouse Rd,
Ballygowan, Co Down, BT23 5RU
Tel: 02897 528980
Email: sandravollands@aol.com
Entries Will Only Be Accepted With Full Payment Of Entry Fees. Cheques made payable to: North Down branch of the Pony Club
Entries Close: Tuesday 29th April, 2014 or sooner if classes are full
Times will be available on the N Down website http://branches.pcuk.org/northdown on Saturday 3rd May 2014

The Ballygraffan venue has held a number of very successful International Horse Trials

June and Jim Burgess are holding a Derby at their Ballygraffan premises, just outside Comber, on Saturday 5th October.

This venue, which has been home to a number of very successful International Horse Trials, will cater for classes at 70cms, 80cms, 90cms, 1m and 1.10m.

The entry fee is £25 and prizes will include overnight stays with B & B at the wonderful Fitzwilliam Hotel in Belfast, which is sponsoring the Event.

Entry Forms are available from Dora on 07876758979 or dorabeacom@live.co.uk- closing date is Monday 30 September.