Noah Brown – Top fundraiser

The 4^th annual Ulster Schools Derby took place on Thursday 18 June at Gransha Equestrian Centre. The event, organised by Glenlola Collegiate School, has become firmly established, and was once again supported by competitors from all over Northern Ireland. The day began with the Primary School class, sponsored by Autokleen. The class was won by Megan Nelson representing Spa Primary School. Tack and turnout for this class was awarded to Lucy Kayes of Cedar Integrated Primary School.

This year saw the introduction of a new class, the Nervous Novice, for those pupils who are new to competing. This was won by Caitlin McKechnie of Bangor Academy and Sixth Form Centre. Riding Pontoon Flyer, Caitlin was presented with her winner’s rug, which was sponsored by Knott’s Bakery, Newtownards. Turnout for this class was awarded to Troy Watson representing Down high School.

The busiest class of the day was the Novice class with 46 competitors. Sponsored by McDonald’s Restaurant, Bangor, the Individual Champion was Rachel McCartney representing Ballyclare High School. Jessica McConnell, Hannah McCartney, Alexandra McConnell and Emma Ewing who represented Ballyclare Secondary School were crowned Novice Team Champions. Tiarna Drake, representing St. Comcille’s Crossgar, won the Novice turnout prize.

The Ulster Schools’ Derby team

The final class of the day was the Open class with 18 competitors. Sponsored by Botanica, the Individual Open Champion was Charis Vinaccia of Down High School riding Derry Mac. The Down High School ‘Flyers’ consisting of Charis Vinaccia, Alex Cleland, Jessica Nelson and Tily Horder were Open Team Champions. Down High School ‘swept the board’ when Alex Cleland won the Turnout prize for the Open competition.

Noah Brown, who competed for RBAI, was the highest fundraiser on the day and was awarded an IPod Shuffle. £350 will now be donated to Cancer Focus NI.

Thanks must go to Adrienne Stuart, proprietor of Gransha Equestrian Centre, who designed the course and provided the facilities. To the many sponsors whom which we are indebted and to those Schools who supported the event. Many thanks must also go to the staff and pupils at Glenlola Collegiate who gave their time to ensure the smooth running of the day. Finally, to Paul Johnston (Judge), John Wilkinson (gate man) and Katy Wray (Tack Inspector) for their time and expertise.

Open to all full-time students under the age of 19, entries are welcome from primary schools, post-primary schools and further education colleges. Four classes will be held: Primary Individual, Novice and Open (within which there will be individual and team prizes) and a new Nervous Novice class. Prizes will also be awarded for Individual turn out in each of the four classes.

The course will consist of a show jumps, working hunter fences and portable/solid cross country obstacles. It will mostly be contained within outdoor, all-weather arenas although some of the course may require obstacles to be jumped in an adjoining grass paddock.

As this event is a fundraiser for Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, an Apple ipod Shuffle will be awarded to the competitor who raises the most sponsorship money.

Catering will be available and staff from Glenlola will also be running a cake and coffee stall to raise further funds for the charity.

Entry forms are being sent to Schools but if you did not receive one and would like to compete, please email jhughes667@c2kni.net or nsinnerton018@c2kni.net. Further details can also be found on the School’s website www.glenlola.net. The closing date for entries is Friday 12 June 2015.

Winning Open Team Glenlola Collegiate: Photo John Gibson Sporting Images NI

The 3^rd Ulster Schools’ Derby, organised by Glenlola Collegiate School, was held on Monday 16 June 2014 at Gransha Equestrian Centre. One hundred and twenty one riders from schools, as far afield as Coleraine and Lurgan, attended the event. Organisers Judith Hughes and Nikki Sinnerton, both teachers at Glenlola Collegiate, had their fingers crossed for fine weather and were blessed with sunshine all day.

Cerys Howell, representing Cygnet House (Glenlola Collegiate’s Prep Department), won the Primary School class riding her pony Runaway Dolly. Tack and Turnout, for the primary class, was won Lucy Kayes from Cedar Integrated Primary School. The Primary School class was sponsored by Autokleen.

Winning Novice Team ballymena Academy: Photo John Gibson Sporting Images NI

The Novice class sponsored by Knotts Bakery, was the largest of the day with 76 riders. Claire Ireland and Mission Ambition, who won the Novice class last year, successfully defended their title and were once again crowned Novice Champions. Claire, who is studying for her final A2 exams, at Glastry College, has been a great supporter of the Ulster Schools’ Derby since its inception and we wish her all the best as she moves on to university next year. Charlotte Rodgers, Jamie-Lee Mark, Sarah McNabney and Courntey Hamilton, representing Ballymena Academy, won the Novice Team competition and Helen Cunningham from Antrim Grammar was awarded the Tack and Turnout Prize.

Primary class winners: Photo John Gibson Sporting Images NI

The final class of the day was the Open competition sponsored, once again, by Botanica. Glenlola Collegiate had a very successful day winning both the Individual and Team competitions as well as the Tack and Turnout prize. The Individual champion was Alex Ryan riding Misty, whilst Zara Mulholland, Alex Ryan, Ciara Gilroy and Cerys Howell were crowned Open Team champions for 2014. Ciara Gilroy also won the Tack and Turnout prize riding her beautiful grey, Hill Storm.

As the event was a fundraiser for Barnardo’s, the Ulster Schools’ Derby kindly donated an Apple IPod Nano for this year’s top fundraiser. This was awarded to Elle Johnston from Coleraine High School.

Cerys Howell on Runaway Dolly winner primary individual: Photo John Gibson Sporting Images NI

Champions were presented with trophies, donated by Glenlola Collegiate, and embroidered rugs. The prizes on offer was only possible due to the generosity, not only of the class sponsors, but of Jim Devenport Butchers (Donaghadee) who sponsored the rosettes, John Gibson from Sporting Images who donated plaques, Doagh Farm Feeds and HorseWorld NI who sponsored the Tack and Turnout prizes. We are indebted to all of our sponsors. We would also like to thank Graham Irwin from Belfast company, Collaborate, who designed our logo.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank a number of people whom without their support, the event would not have run. Thanks to Adrienne Stuart from Gransha Equestrian Centre who designed, built and maintained the fantastic derby course. Thanks must also go to our judge, Paul Johnston, who gave of his time so freely. To John Wilkinson, the ‘gate keeper’, for allowing the event to run smoothly.

Ciara Gilroy on Hill Storm: Photo John Gibson Sporting Images NI

Thanks also go to Gwyneth Wilkinson who judged the Tack and Turnout and to her scribe, Debbie Rush. We’d also like to thank the paramedic from Ambutran, who was in attendance throughout the event and to John Gibson from Sporting Images NI who took photographs of each of the competitors. Thanks must also go to the many staff from Glenlola Collegiate who helped at the event (Linda Ace, Beverly Haslam, Brian Montgomery and Alison Simpson) and to those teachers who provided treats for the cake stall. We’d also like to thank those pupils who helped with poles, gates etc. Finally we must thank all those competitors, parents, teachers and helpers from the many different schools who were in attendance. Without their support the event would not run.

Results:

Primary Individual:

Novice Individual:

Novice Team:

Jessica McConnell on Change of Heart: Photo John Gibson Sporting Images NI

Open Individual:

Regan mcKee on Roscorr freedom: Photo John Gibson Sporting Images NI

Open Team: