Last year the show was a great success. Not long after it Beth underwent major spinal surgery which has had a lengthy recovery process. She spent most of last year’s money on physiotherapy to improve her strength and posture. This along with her determination meant that she was able to return to school a lot more quickly than her medical team had anticipated. Beth has very recently undergone further surgery and will require a lot more treatment to help her make the most from the operations. She aims to start studying for her GCSEs in September and those who know how determined she is are in no doubt that she will achieve this goal!

The show on Bank Holiday Monday aims to raise as much money as possible to make life just that little bit easier for Beth and her family.

There will be two arenas in operation throughout the day, starting at 9am. Ring One will run classes from 80cm up to 1.30 and there will be several speed and also power and speed classes to keep everyone on their toes. Ring two will cater for the less experienced combinations and classes will be from cross poles right up to 80cm. Both arenas are open to horses and ponies and the full schedule will be posted on the Meadows Equestrian Centre website.

As always there will be fantastic prizes up for grabs with confirmed sponsors to date including Clandeboye Lodge Hotel, Pegus Horse Feeds, Dubarry Ireland, Honeyhill Rossettes, equinephotograpers.com,  Doagh Farm Feeds, Stonebridge Feeds, The Catch Ballynure, Baileys Feeds and Trotup.com along with several private donors. Anyone who enters two classes on the same horse or pony will be entered into the prize draw for the fabulous prize of a meal for two people at the renowned Clandeboye Lodge.

Beth’s family will again be providing teas, coffee, hot chocolate and fabulous home baking which is always well worth sampling!

For any further information please don’t hesitate to contact Anita on 07872026130

Sligo Ranger and Gillian Holmes top of the Class 3 Equi-Tog Photography

A superb turnout of competitors shone at the STAR Charity show on 25^th May, the first competition in the Laurel View Summer Dressage League. An exceptionally good entry list signed in for this fundraiser for Summer Team Aid Romania.

For Class 1, the PC D Level walk trot, Martina McKinley was in the judge’s chair. The first here went to Marian Millar and No Shenanigans who will be heading to Doagh Farm Feeds to spend her prize voucher. Vicky Marsden and Tiger Lilly were equally delighted with their blue rosette.

The Newcomers rode PC C Level to compete for the prizes kindly provided by

Equi-Dazzle. Emma Andrews judging placed Caroline Chambers and Villas Dream in first place with Angela Hutchinson and Jeannie second.

Claire Sedgeman had the unenviable task of judging the huge Class 3 with competitors riding Prelim 7.  Those at the top after the scoring were delighted to receive fantastic Botanica hampers. Gillian Holmes test on Sligo Ranger really caught the judges eye winning the top spot.  Janice Campbell and Jack were the very worthy runners up.

Kirsty Marsden and Loughmourne Diamond sparkle in the Dressage to Music Equi-Tog Photography

Class 4 Prelim 13 results were announced and the prize winners gratefully took home their feed sponsored by Stonebridge. The list of winners of this strong class judged by Ivor Harper was headed up by Penny Murphy and Tick-It.  The number two position was taken by Rachael Connell on Ringfort Caruso.

Novice competitors in Class 5 rode Novice 24 in front of Angelene Nicholson.  Penny Murphy and Tick-It took home their second winnings of the day, this time generously sponsored by Old Mill Saddlery. Second to Penny in this class was Danny ridden by Helen Faulkner.

The Open class was overseen by David Patterson, who was tasked with judging the tests in the class ranging from Novice to Advanced Medium.  Martina McKinley and Oliver Hardy rode their Novice test to impress and claimed 1^st and one of the Blue Grass meal vouchers kindly offered for this class.  Allan Dewhurst and Isaac rode their Medium test into second place.

Then it was onto the eagerly awaited Dressage to Music class judged by Angelene Nicholson. Kirsty Marsden and Loughmourne Diamond came top of the Freestyle scoreboard winning themselves a lesson with Yvette Truesdale of The Dressage Yard, Scarvagh House. Separated only by the artistic marks percentage from the top spot were Balora and Louise McFarlane.

Newcomers win for Caroline Chambers on “Villas Dream” Photo: Equi-Tog Photography

The last winner of the day was Christine Cuthbertson whose luck was in when her ballot ticket was pulled out for the lovely hamper of goodies.

The real winner on the day was the STAR charity with over £1200 being raised for the work that the Summer Team Aid Romania will do this Summer.  The show at Laurel View was arranged by STAR team members Beth McFarland (2014) and Emma Fleming (2012 & 2013) Much appreciation to all the judges, scribes, Equi-Tog photographer and miscellaneous others who gave up their time so freely and off course to all the competitors for coming along and making the show worthwhile.

The next Dressage Day at Laurel View is on Sunday 21^st June, as ever entries are gratefully received up until noon on Thursday 19^th. Full details can be found at www.laurelview.co.uk

Results

Wendy Forsythe and Tifftarney Clyde Photo: Equi-Tog Photography

Summer Dressage League (1 of 5)

STAR Charity Show

Class 1 – PC D Level

Judge – Martina McKinley – Doagh Farm Feeds

1^st No Shenanigans, Marian Millar, 70.77; 2^nd Tiger Lilly, Vicky Marsden, 69.23; 3^rd Mouse, Gemma Goodrich, 68.46; 4^th Plan B, Nikki McAlister, 67.31; 5^th Checkmate, Karen O’Brien, 66.92; 6^th The Accountant, Judith Hughes, 66.92.

Class 2 – PC C Level (Newcomers) – Equi-Dazzle

Judge – Emma Andrews

1^st Villas Dream, Caroline Chambers, 74.33; 2^nd Jeannie, Angela Hutchinson, 65.33; 3^rd Amazon, Gillian McCann, 64.67; 4^th Laurel View Tally, Emma Anderson, 62.67; 5^th tie, Ajay, Lauren Hill and Indie Sahara, Holly Millar, 60.67.

Class 3 – Prelim 7

Judge – Claire Sedgeman – Botanica

1^st Sligo Ranger, Gillian Holmes, 77.50; 2^nd Jack, Janice Campbell, 74.00; 3^rd The Ferryman, Sophie Winn, 69.25; 4^th Relax, Janice Campbell, 68.00; 5^th Ben L, Claire Martin, 67.75; 6^th Oakhill Charm, Jennifer McCann, 67.50.

Class 4 – Prelim 13

Judge – Ivor Harper – Stonebridge

1^st Tick-it, Penny Murphy, 71.04; 2^nd Ringfort Caruso, Rachael Connell, 70.63; 3^rd Wills, Amy Neill, 70.21; 4^th Guinness, Lisa Dundee, 69.58; 5^th Sligo Ranger, Gillian Holmes, 68.96;

6^th Beechmount Baxter, Linda McIlwaine, 68.33.

Class 5 – Novice 24 – Old Mill Saddlery

Judge – Angelene Nicholson

1^st Tick-it, Penny Murphy, 67.69; 2^nd Danny, Helen Faulkner, 67.50; 3^rd Wills, Amy Neill, 65.00; 4^th Furisto Seven for a Secret, Jill Hobson, 65.00; 5^th Beechmount Baxter, Linda McIlwaine, 64.62; 6^th Christie, Lisa Dundee, 64.23.

Class 6 – Open – Blue Grass

Judge – David Patterson

1^st Oliver Hardy (Nov), Martina McKinley, 66.03; 2^nd Isaac (Med), Allan Dewhurst, 65.17;

3^rd Ariel (Nov), Holly Wray, 64.83; 4^th Cleopatra (Elem), Orlaith O’Hagan, 63.71; 5^th Zidane (Adv Med), Lucy Webb, 62.94; 6^th Robbie (Med), Lisa Dundee, 62.76.

Dressage to Music – The Dressage Yard

Judge – Angelene Nicholson

1^st Loughmourne Diamond, Kirsty Marsden, 67.50; 2^nd Balora, Louise McFarlane, 67.50; 3^rd Bart, Louise Greer, 65.29; 4^th Cherry, Laurel Faloona, 65.28; 5^th Tifftarney Clyde, Wendy Forsythe, 55.56.

Hamper Raffle – Christine Cuthbertson

There will also be a 2 fence challenge in the horse arena with £200 in cash going to 1st place, £100 in cash going to 2nd place and prize in kind for 3rd.

Please visit our website www.nicfccharityhorseshow.webs.com where you will also find the link to our facebook page.

Please come along and support this fantastic cause while enjoying a great days jumping with the chance to win some brilliant prizes. For any queries or to get involved please contact Ruth on 07889364799

A massive thanks to all our generous sponsors, Down Royal Racecourse, Surefoot Farriers, Pet Haven, Good Cottages, Maze Investigations Compliance and Training (MICT), Ballymoss Stud, Northern Excavators, Mr&Mrs D Patterson, Kelly M Photography, Botanica, Henderson Group, Sarah Dawson Racing, The Hillside, Hill Top Vending, Gary Marshall, Equestrian Farm Feeds, Cian O’Connor, Harry Marshall, Merchant Hotel, Patches Equine Laundry and Repair Service, Tony O’Connor Equine Artist, Sooty’s Stable signs, Equestrian Store, Gary Beckett, Pretty Little Details, Pattersons Chemist Hillsborough, Adairs Bakery, Centra-Morrows, Swift Chair Covers, The Mace Hillsborough, Balmoral Show, Sandra and Dennis Currie, Galgorm Spa, Vanilla Black, Old Mill Saddlery, Drumbo Park Greyhound Stadium, Dundonald International Ice Bowl, Equestrian World Maynooth, Decora Blind Systems Ltd, J Pelan&Son Butchers, Equestrian News NI, Stonebridge Horse Feeds, Smyths Saddlery and Ski