Group Chairperson, Emma-Jayne Fowler with riders Naomi Connell and Grace McSorley. Also in the picture is Naomi’s mum Leigh Connell :Henry Doggart Photography

April certainly was as successful month for the Omagh Group of Riding for Disabled and its rides, with dominance they secured qualification to the National Championships at the start of April at the Regional Show Jumping Championships; and now at the end of the month the group’s run of good fortune continued at the Regional Dressage Championships where further qualifications were secured for 5 additional riders.

Held for the first time in the spacious surroundings of The Meadows Equestrian Centre, Lurgan, groups from all parts of the province competed in many different competitions throughout the day.

In the Championship Dressage Arena, under the skilful eye of Judge Alison Mastin Moore, Omagh gathered many red rosettes in a number of classes. Qualification was granted for Fermanagh rider, Zoe O’Malley and her skewbald mare ‘Lucy K’ in the Grade III class; Drumlegagh rider and RDA instructor Louise Bogle in both Grade I-V Walk Trot and Walk Trot Canter Tests on board ‘Belladonna’; Victoria Bridge native Lucy Smyth in the Grade I-V Walk Only with Monaveen Jodie, as well as further qualification for Naomi Connell, Grace McSorley and Gavin Forsythe following their earlier successes in the Show Jumping.

In other arenas, Omagh also collected many placings with Omagh riders taking the top honours in the Introduction to Dressage test 2 in both Junior and senior sections.  Taking the junior accolade was Strabane rider Cian Arthur; and in the senior Omagh based rider Carla Priestley received the first place ribbon as well as becoming the recipient of the regional silverware as the rider with the highest score in Arena 1.  Adding to the silverware was Grace McSorley who received a regional trophy for the highest placed junior in Arena 3.

In total 13 riders will now travel to the UK National Championships in July they are:

Zoe O’Malley (Dressage), Louise Bogle (Dressage), Lucy Smyth (Dressage), Grace McSorley (Show Jumping and Dressage), Gavin Forsythe (Show Jumping and Dressage), Naomi Connell (Show Jumping and Dressage), Carla Priestley (Countryside Challenge), Hannah Garrity (Countryside Challenge), Cian Arthur (Show Jumping), Jack Armstrong (Show Jumping), Joshua Gracey (Show Jumping), Jordan Crossan (Show Jumping) and Emma Armstrong (Show Jumping).

To enter contact Ruth on 07732809188, entries close on the Thursday night before each competition and times will be available on the website each Friday at 5pm. For details of the tests visit out websitewww.knockaghviewec.com.

Nadine McClelland riding Lucey in Intro A at the first week of Knockagh View’s dressage league (photo’s by Caroline Grimshaw Equestrian News NI)

Sunday was the first week of the dressage league at Knockagh View Equestrian Centre, Greenisland, the 2nd week will take place on Sunday 23rd March with the final on Sunday 6th April.  Competitors must compete at 1 week plus the final with the best score from the first 2 weeks going forward to the final week.  There are beautiful trophies and prizes for the winners at the final.  To enter contact Ruth on 07732809188, entries close at 9pm the Friday before each week.  The classes were very competitive on Sunday with Lucy Telford riding A day on the Dub taking the honors in the Intro A class.  Bianca McIlnea topped the Newcomer class with nher beautiful young coloured horse Alba Rossa, Class 3 – Prelim 13 was a huge class with Clare McFarland rding Scooby taking first place.  The Novice Class was also Hotly contested with Elaine Morrow riding Arenza Gem to a good lead.  The Elemnentary class saw a win for the beautifu Stallion Orval ridden by Lynsey Craig.

Click here to view photographers gallery and purchase photos

Helen Faulkner riding Polo to placings in the novice and elementary classes at Knockagh View (photo’s by Caroline Grimshaw Equestrian News NI)

Results
Class 1 – Intro A
1st Lucy Telford, A day on the dub
2nd Nikki McAlister, Plan B
3rd Bianca McIlnea, Alba Rossa
4th Karen Dickson, Blue
5th Chloe Hope, Topcat
6th Mary Horton, Kusia

Bianca Mcilnea riding Alba Rossa on her first outing to take top honors in the newcomers class

Class 2 (Newcomers) – Prelim 1
1st Bianca McIlnea, Alba Rossa
2nd Anne Sheridan, Hollybrooks Hero
3rd Leeann Radcliffe, Inca
4th Dawn Clive, Lexi
5th Scott Logan, Jimble
6th Aimee Maxwell, Romeo

Elaine Morrow and Ardenza Gem on their way to winning the Novice class
(Photos by Caroline Grimshaw Equestrian News NI)

Class 3 – Prelim 13
1st Clare McFarland, Scooby
2nd Emma Hobson, Ludovik
3rd Susan Coulson, Sunny Cruise
4th Emma Hobson, Parfull Jack
5th Penny Murphy, Tick-it
6th Linda McIlwaine, Beechmount baxter

Emma Hobson giving Parfull Jack a well deserved pat at the end of a lovely test to take 4th in prelim 13 (photo courtesy of Caroline Grimshaw Equestrian News NI)

Class 4 – Novice 24
1st Elaine Morrow, Ardenza Gem
2nd Jill Hobson, Furisto seven for a secret
3rd Helen Faulkner, Polo
4th Karina McVeigh, Midnight Reflection
5th Emma Hobson, Ludovik K
6th Louise Craig, Cooper

Class 5 – Elementary 49
1st Lynsey Craig, Orval
2nd Elaine Morrow, Ardenza Gem
3rd Jill Hobson, Furisto seven for a secret
4th Helen Faulkner, Polo
5th Louise Craig, Cooper

Derby Time at Knockagh

Knockagh View Equestrian Centre, Greenisland is holding their first outdoor jumoping Derby of the season on Sunday 30th March.  As usual the course will be designed by our SJI National Course Designer Alistair Megahey and will have a variety of showjumps, working hunter and cross country jumps and will include the derby lane outside the arena.  Classes are 60,70, 80 & 90cms with jumping starting at 11am.  To make the day run more smoothly it is pre-entry to Lesley on 07729607768 or Ruth on 07732809188 with times allocated and posted on the website the friday before.

Commencing the event will be Riding for Disabled Tests, for those wishing to practice for the regional competitions in April. This will then be followed by, British Dressage Introductory Test B (2009), Dressage Ireland P15 (Preliminary) (2012) and British Dressage Novice 34.

Entries will be accepted until Thursday 13th March at 5pm, entries can be text to 07709199474 or emailed toomaghrda@hotmail.co.uk

Then Anne Torrens will give a talk & demo on muscle care in horses to include stretching exercises that will benefit our horses.  So come along for an informative night.  There is an admission charge of £5 which will include refreshments & children are free.

Entries close today (Wednesday 16^th January) for the dressage competition on Sunday 20^th January at the RDA, Omagh & times will be available on Friday 18^th between 7-9 pm.  If you have not yet entered & are interested, please phone Alison on 82 246652.  Everyone is very welcome & classes are Class 1 – The Pony Club D Level 1 Test, Class 2 – Intro B 2009, Class 3 – Prelim 12 2005, Class 4 – Prelim 13 2006, Class 5 – Novice 24 2010 & Class 6 – Novice 26 2006.  There will be rosettes for 1^st-6^th in each class & the winner of each class will take home a bale of CRAIG HAYLAGE very kindly sponsored by Gordon Craig from Raphoe, Co Donegal.

Strule Valley Riding Club Est 1997
Dressage Competition
Kindly Sponsored by ‘CRAIGS HAYLAGE’
Sunday 20th January 2013
RDA, Omagh – 10am however pre-entry

Class 1 – The Pony Club D Level 1 Test
Class 2 – Intro B 2009
Class 3 – Prelim 12 2005
Class 4 – Prelim 13 2006
Class 5 – Novice 24 2010
Class 6 – Novice 26 2006
Entries to Alison on 82 246652 by Wednesday 16th January & times available Friday 18th between 7-9pm