Veronica Ham on Sam

Sunday 2nd November 2014 saw the final of the Autumn Dressage League at Ardnacashel Equestrian Comber.  This year our dressage league was very kindly sponsored by “The Nifty Poo Picker” www.niftypoopicker.com. The competition was hotly contested and it was noted the great improvement in both riders and their steeds as the league progressed.  Well done to all our competitors!

Novice Class:
1st Elaine Gardner on Sam
2nd Claire Forsythe on Sky Shadow
3rd Jackie Reid on Ronaldo

Intro Class - Juniors
1st Chloe Martin on Clonteen Toffee
2nd Lachlan Henry on Rusty
3rd Sarah Glover on JJ

Veronica Ham on Sam

Intro Class  – Seniors
1st Elaine Sterling on Georgie
2nd Heather Telford on A Day on the Dub
3rd Harriett Hogan on Miss Understood

Class 3 – Prelim Class
1st Veronica Ham on Sam
2nd Sharon McGimpsey on Knockaraha Gypsy
3rd Audrey Smyth on Mr Sox
4th Jackie Reid on Ronaldo

Lucy Telford on A Day on the Dub

Class 2b – Prelim Class
1st Sharon McGimpsey on Knockaraha Gypsy
2nd Janice Reddy riding Marie Clare Bradley’s No Shenanigans
3rd Jenny Adams on Tia
4th Sinead Duggan on Harry

Sharon McGimpsey on Knockaraha Gypsy

Newcomers Class
1st Lauren Ferguson on Sherbert Dip
2nd Mandy Blakely on Spritz
3rd Louise McMinn on Bravo
4th Gail Smyth on Bruno

Class 2B – Senior Prelim 14 – Raven Craig – Woody Photo: Caroline Grimshaw

Gransha Equestrian Centre hosted the third round of the Chris Semple Photography Dressage league on Sunday 23^rd November.  The chat heard among competitors is that Gransha is a very relaxed atmosphere to compete at with horses enjoying the good surfaces.

It was very exciting to watch Lucy Adams riding Get-Set at Inter 1 level in the Antwerp Arena in the morning then finish the day with ladies riding sidesaddle.

Taking on the role of judge Lucy Adams then awarded Elaine Morrow on Ardenza Gem first place in the  Medium class followed closely by Clantara Midnight Classic, ridden by Caroline Herron into second.

Class 2B – Senior Prelim 14 – Wendy Monteith – Luna, Photo Caroline Grimshaw

Newly partnered Andrew Robinson and Flight of the Phoenix proved to be a good match, winning both the Junior Prelim 14 and Prelim 18. Their very competitive scores were amongst the highest of the day.

October’s star of the league, Stella Black, came second to Andrew in the Junior Prelim 14 on Dusty Moon. Holly Boal and Ronny placed third. In the Senior Prelim 18, Shawlene Leebody came second on Casanova, Heather McMillen took third place, and Louise McFarland and Izzy came fourth.

Class 3A – Jumior Prelim 18 – Andrew Robinson – Flight of the Phoenix Photo Caroline Grimshaw

Fran Warden judged the largest class of the day in the Derby Arena with scribe Gemma McIlwaine. Raven Craig took a clear lead in the Senior Prelim 14 on Woody, followed by Karen Jeffrey and Junior in second place. Third went to Ciara Gilroy on Killaan Blu, fourth to Janine Thompson and Lily and fifth to Knockarama Gypsy, ridden by Sharon McGimpsey

Also placed first in the Derby arena were Zara Wood and Ballymac Girl with a stand out score of 75% in the Junior Introductory A class. Lachlan Henry continued his success from last month by taking second place on Rusty, and Louise Murray came third riding Poppy.

Class 2B – Sharon McGimpsey – Knockaraha Gypsy Photo: Caroline Grimshaw

First place in the senior Introductory A class, held in the Antwerp Arena, went to Louise Sullivan on Rolo, both excelling in the class. Kennedy McCormick and Zally came second, Carol Regan took third on Clover, and fourth place went to Claire Martin and George.  Audrey Smyth judged the class, helped by scribe and husband Michael Smyth.

Judge Lucy Adams and scribe Cheryl Lawther awarded first place in the Senior Novice 38 class to Vicky Teuton on Shannaghmore.  This very versatile partnership are winning ribbons not only in the dressage world but also in the working hunter sphere too.  Sarah Brashaw came second on Arabian Knight, with Anita Johnson coming in third on Blackberrie.

The Elementary 53 class was won by Elaine Morrow on Ardenza Gem, followed closely by Rosie Paterson on Homegrown Rolex.  Jazmin Vollands and Mo Chara Nua won the Senior Novice 34 class with 77.5%, the highest score of the day. Lorna Glendinning and Clancey took second place.

The final classes of the day were the Young Horse and Sidesaddle Prelim 14. Megan Dunn won the Young Horse on Chilly Night. Louise McFarland took home another rosette on Izzy. Kate Spiers came third on Ruby, and Gail McKie took fourth place on Dave the Cob.

First prize in the Sidesaddle Junior class went to Stella Black and Dusty Moon, with Caitlin McKechnie and Knockarama Gypsy second. The Senior class went to Suzi McClean on Scooby. Shirley Anderson came second on State of Play, and third place went to Sharon McGimpsey, who ended the day well on Knockarama Gypsy.

Wrap up warm and come and join us for complimentary mulled wine and mince pies on December 21^st.  There will be all the usual classes plus a fancy dress class consisting of dressage to music either individually or in pairs.  This is a chance to let your imagination runwild, the  more original the better! More info can be found on the Gransha website along with a full list of results.

Sharon waters riding her stallion X Rated had a good day at Knockagh View’s Summer league Photo: AP Photography

The second week of Knockagh View’s dressage league took place on Sunday, with just a few showers the weather was superb.  There were some fantastic tests ridden throughout the day in front of judges Janet Hall and Lynsey Craig.  The next week of the league takes place on Sunday 6th July with once again classes from intro to elementary with the winner of each class at the finl taking home a beautiful embroidered rambo grnd prix show rug!  There continues to be lots of other exciting events at Knockagh View with the second week of the all money showjumping league on Sunday 15th June and an all silver fun dy on Sunday 22nd June and not to forget the BBQ nd Dance on Saturday night 14th June to raise money for cancer research Uk!  For more information on any of our events follow us on facebook, visit our websitewww.knockaghviewec.com or contact Ruth on 07732809188.

Janet Craig and Jay finishing with a nice halt in Prelim 13 Photo AP Photography

Results
Class 1 – Intro A
1st Libby Anderson, Beachmount Cherokee
2nd Nikki McAlister, Plan B
3rd Joanne Milne, Xsara
4th Caroline Chambers, Villa’s Dream
5th Karen Johnston, Murphy
6th Cathy Quigg, Irish Mist

Class 2 – Prelim 1(Newomers)
1st Lisa Dundee, Guinness
2nd Joanne Maybi, Xsara
3rd Caroline Chambers, Villa’s Dream
4th Aimee Maxwell, Romeo
5th Patricia Irwin, Bitsy
6th Angela Hutchinson, Jeannie

Lisa Dundee and Guinness on their way to top spot in class 2 Photo: AP Photography

Class 3 – Prelim 13
1st Michelle Strange, Have the Courage
2nd Ian Gault, Mull on the run
3rd Lisa Dundee, Brownie
4th Tori Dixon, Ottis
5th Linda McIlwaine, Beecmount Baxter
6th Samantha Dale, Sophie

Class 4 – Novice 24
1st Sharon Watters, X Rated
2nd Martina McKinley, Oliver Hardy
3rd Samantha Dale, Sophie
4th Tori Dixon, Scooby
5th Rhonda McIlroy, Shantallow
6th Linda McIlwaine, Beechmount Baxter

Martina McKinley riding Oliver Hardy in Novice 24 at the second week of Knockagh View’s dressage league Photo: AP Photography

Class 5 – Elementary 42
1st Tori Dixon, Shadow
2nd Sharon Watters, X Rated
3rd Jill Hobson, Ludovik
4th Martina McKinley, Oliver Hardy
5th Lauren Court, Melton
6th Wendy Forsythe, Tiftarney Clyde

Photographs from this competition can be found by clicking here to visit our photograph shop.

Dressage For All Spring League

Saturday 2^nd February 2013 (Qualifier)

Class 1 – Pony Club D

1^st – Holly Carville on Blaze

2^nd  – Holly Carville on Goldie

3^rd – Kate Russell on Bingo
4^th – Pamela Fox on Bonnie Sir Edward

5^th – Harriet Hogan on Goldie

6^th – Seamus Rodgers on Big Man

Class 2 – Prelim 18

1^st – Christine James on Olly

2^nd – Sharon Cowan on Calin King

3^rd – Beth Taylor on White Prince

4^th – Susan Hunter on Colour Cascade

5^th – Ruth Curran on Me Darcy

6^th – Selina Campbell on Ruby

Class 3 – Novice 24

1^st – Shelley McFarlane on Clueso
2^nd – Olivia Pele on Moreno VIII