Downshire Do it Again!

Two weeks ago a convoy of intrepid travellers comprising 3 Lorries and lots of riders and supporters from Downshire Riding Club left Danescroft Equestrian Centre for the long journey to the BHS NAF National Championships 6-7 September 2014, held at the lovely Lincolnshire Showground.

Several thousand riders from all over the UK compete to qualify for this prestigious event and it was great that 12 riders made up three teams so Northern Ireland was well represented.

Open Team competitors Sarah McLean (Diamond Obelix) and Amy Munroe (Forthill Sharamai) both fresh from success at Dublin Horse Show, Nicola Cullen (Colonel Gun) and Sarah Adamson (Seapatrick Corland Superjet) competed on a very misty Saturday. Following a nail biting jump off the team finished in the ribbons as a very respectable 5^th place.

Also competing on Saturday the Intermediate Senior team of Suzanne Davis (Haydens Star), Nicola Cullen (Danske Coevers Lass), Sarah McLean (Graf Keerogue) and Victoria Titterington (Thornbrook Eye of the Storm). This was great experience for the team and a lot of fun was had by all.

On a very sunny Sunday it was the juniors turn. The Junior Novice team of Jade Herron (riding Olivia Pele’s Buckaroo), Ben Rowlatt-McCormick( Newline Golden Secret), Victoria Fox (Lislaird Joni) and Olivia Hughes (Forest Lodge Rambler) all got through to the jump off ably coached by Chef D’Equipe Sarah McLean and Amy Munroe. Jade and Victoria also qualified for the Individual competition having jumped clear all the way.

After a tense calculation the team realised that there were only 2 teams in the jump off, and due to some fast times and careful technical jumping Downshire Juniors emerged the winners.

In addition, Jade Herron (who has only been riding for 2 years) jumped the round of her life and was thrilled to gain the Individual Championship. Victoria also jumped a blinder to come individual 4^th with her lovely Connemara pony Joni .

The past 4 months at Downshire have been a whirlwind of fundraising and organising and the club as a whole is extremely grateful for the support given by the many individuals and NI companies who have sponsored and helped in any way.

On Sunday evening it was time to return. It’s safe to say that the juniors slept soundly for most of the journey (some not even realising that a tyre was blown!). Many thanks must go to all our drivers who stayed awake during the small hours of the night to bring everyone safely home. Big thanks should go to George and Breda at Danescroft Equestrian for the loan of their super lorry.

Downshire Riding Club always welcomes new members to share in their success, so if you are interested in joining click on http://www.downshireridingclub.com/ for more information.

Vikki Fox and Lislaird Joni victorious in the 70 cm class of the Downshire Winter League held at Danescroft

Downshire Riding Club held the first leg of a Winter Jumping League for members only on Thursday 9th January at Danescroft Equestrian Centre. This first leg also incorporated the first selection night for those members wishing to represent Downshire in the Riding Club Team Championships which are being held at Portmore in March. The Winter League will have 3 legs plus a final with the same horse/rider combination having to compete in the same class on 2 occasions to qualify for prizes in the Final-however all are welcome on any of the jumping nights even if they do not want to take part in the League.

  Judges and score keepers Eamon Murphy, Sarah McLean and Sharon Cullen were kept on their toes throughout the evening as the super turn out of Club members meant they were kept very busy indeed! Special mention must go to junior Club member Jade Herron and her great pony Buckeroo who captured both the 90 cm and 1m classes with fast double clears in both competitions -very well done indeed. Another double was achieved on the night by a mother and daughter combination- young Vikki Fox took first place in the 70 cm competition on Lislaird Joni and her mum Pam followed up in the 80 cm class with her lovely young horse Bonny Sir Edward.

All classes were well contested throughout the evening making for a very good night’s competition with all classes being decided by a timed second round. The second leg of the Winter League will be held at Danescroft on 6th February and will incorporate the last qualifier for the Indoor Show Jumping Championships. Full details can be found on the Club website www.downshireridingclub.com and as always members are very welcome to school in the super outdoor arena at Danescroft on Thursday club nights.

The first monthly ride of 2014  for Downshire members takes place this Saturday 18th January at the usual venue of Tollymore Forest Park leaving the car park between 11 am-1 pm. Dates for the monthly rides can be found on the Club website.

Finally a big thank you to all those Club members who helped at the Winter League on Thursday night -events cannot happen without volunteers ! Thank you also to George and Breda for the use of the superb facilities that Downshire enjoy at Danescroft.

FULL RESULTS

70CM

1st Vikki Fox-Lislaird Joni 2nd Dylan Torrens-Bella 3rd Hester Kelly-Kizzy 4th Lisa Torrens-Poppy 5th Georgia Kirkwood-Debonair 6th Natasha Mallon-Ruby

80CM

1st Pam Fox-Bonny Sir Edward 2nd Catherine Henderson- Dickson’s Fern 3rd Olivia Pele-Merino 4th Kerry Magill -Last Chance 5th Lisa Torrens-Poppy 6th Hester Kelly- Kizzy

90CM

1st Jade Herron -Buckeroo 2nd Lucy McGuinness-The Duchess 3rd Suzi Davis- Haden’s Star 4th Jacqueline Mallon-Flojo 5th Victoria Wray-Uncle Ben 6th Olivia Pele-Merino

1M

1st Jade Herron-Buckeroo 2nd Nikki Cullen-Tango Lad 3rd Alan Martin-Inishcara 4th Katie King-Gina 5th Katie King=Colonel Gun 6th Olivia Hughes Seba