Stephanie Elliot and Flynn jump clear in the 1m class

Portmore Equestrian Centre are expecting a busy bank holiday weekend with their two day show scheduled for Friday and Saturday.  The schedule includes classes from 90cm to 1.35m and also includes a leg of the 1.35m Ulster Grand Prix.

The full schedule can be found on the Portmore Website and Bank Holiday Monday will see the Championship league continue with classes from 70cm to 1.20m.  Four weeks remain to qualify for the bonus £1,000 in the final on May 31st.

For further details call 02892 651240 / 07738 834261 or email chantal@portmoreequestriancentre.com

Joanne Wilkinson and Caspee jumping in the 80cm class

Spectators and competitors alike were very accommodating this week as new floors and paintwork altered familiar routines, however those arriving on Friday for the three day show will be greeted with a entirely fresh new look as finishing touches are completed in perfect time.  This recent refurbishment marks the first of a number of new beginnings as Chantal and Rafael return home to implement their exciting new plans at the International Equestrian Centre.  Weekly schedules, regular prize fund based novelty classes and competitions are among the first changes to be made rewarding competitors who choosing to compete regularly at Portmore.

Stephanie Elliot and Flynn jump clear in the 1m class

It was a busy week in the run up to the three day show with classes for every level proving popular.  Tuesday night started at 7pm with classes from 60cm to 1.10m.  It was great to see so many young horses getting prepared for the forthcoming season in the smaller classes.  As the evening progressed, the restaurant was bustling with spectators enjoying the atmosphere as they watched competitors in the bigger classes.  On Saturday the horse and pony training show had a great turn out at all levels from the 60cm to 1.30m. The week finished with SJI Horses on Sunday putting on a great display of competition as some horses and riders proved they were more than ready for the big show the following week.  It was a good day for Barry Mc Cormack on Mos touch in the 1.20m and the 1.30m jumping fast against the clock to take first place.

Connor Stewart and Killy jump in the 1m class at Portmore’s unregistered show

The popular Saturday horse and pony show jumping competitions will continue on Saturday 22nd March with prize draws and competitors competing for a prizefund at the final.

Caroline Millar on Rosey sporting the new ‘purple’ that Portmore have chosen to re-brand the centre!

As usual the Show jumping classes will includes, Minis (70cms), Midis (80cms), Maxis (90cms) and Super Maxis (1m) and as usual there will be prizes for top fundraisers of each class.

CAUSE established in 1995, is a unique peer-led local charity directed and staffed by past and present carers of people with a mental illness and provides emotional and practical support to such carers and families through the support of experienced carer advocates, a private and confidential telephone helpline, support groups, educational and training courses for carers and professionals as well as representing carer’s views at all levels of policy and planning forums.

Anne Holland, CAUSE Fundraising Manager commented, ‘Naturally we are very disappointed that this has occurred again however as our event is to raise funds for our Young Carers Equine Programme, we think it best that we postpone to the autumn.

1 in 4 people will suffer from mental ill health during their lifetime.  Through such community events as this great annual charity show, we can highlight that there is support for carers and families of loved ones living with a serious mental illness. Many of these carers are often of school age and of course fundraising events like this are vital to help us continue our work. Participants can use the show packs we have already sent to schools, teams and individuals. More information will be posted in Horseweek at beginning of September and on our Facebook page and website.’

CAUSE Young Carers Equine Programme offers children, young people and siblings caring in a mental role with a unique opportunity to improve their mental well-being by working with the natural behaviour of horses alongside a specifically designed therapeutic programme.

There are many reasons why young carers caring for a person with a mental illness may remain hidden including the absence of readily observable evidence of the illness and its episodic nature. In addition many young carers are very loyal to their parents and would feel guilty asking for help, fear family breakup or the stigma associated with being labelled as having a parent with a mental illness.

You can help transform the lives of young mental health carers and siblings by:

Texting FOAL14 £3 to 70070

Online at www.justgiving.com/youngcausecarers

For further information call Anne on 90650650 or email fundraising@cause.org.uk

James Russell jumped two double clears in the 80 and 90cm classes on Rocky and Jack

As the rain came down, competitors streamed in on Saturday morning with the first class starting just after 10am.  Thanks must go to Lorraine Leavesley for judging and keeping the competition moving along to get through the high competitor numbers on the day. Equestrian Results were in attendance as they have been each week to add any new competitors to the system.  They sponsored the saddlecloth prize draw once again and Michael Irwin was the lucky winner this week.

Michael Irwin was the winner of this weeks saddlecloth sponsored by Equestrian Results.co.uk

The first clear of the day was Sheila Kennedy and Foxy, with the young Maria Martin and and Bluestone Cloud sailing clear as well.  Francis Gribben and Twinks led the way to another clear as Ivan Gribben enjoyed Midnight Sky’s debut outing also jumping clear.  Maria produced another double clear in the 80cm class and could be a combination to watch for the future.

Joanne Wilkinson and Casper were fresh from their Christmas break, and after winning the last league, they returned in their usual style to produce two double clears in the 70 and 80 classes.  Laura Struthers and Ginger enjoyed a double clear at 70cm and then teamed up with Emma Lee Turley to join the arena party for the afternoon allowing the competition to run even more smoothly!  Rachel Toughey and Molly also jumped a very stylish double clear in this class, while John McKinney used his experience to jump his young horse Mac double clear as well.  Michael Irwin and Oscar jumped double clear for the second consecutive week at 70cm and his move to 80cm this week was rewarded with another double clear.  James Russell was determined not to touch a pole as he flew round on both mounts, Rocky and Jack to jump clear in the 80 and 90cm classes.

Lesley Wilson and Lyleview Martell jump clear in the 80cm and 90cm classes

Catherine Robinson was busy on Saturday as she jumped a number of clears on multiple rides

The wait was worthwhile for Kirsten Farr on Jasper and Ronan Ptacek on Jolie who jumped easy clears in the 1.10m classes and had the poles raised for the 1.20m class.

Young carers often lack self-confidence, find it hard to make friends or be bullied because of their family circumstances. For young mental health carers, these factors are compounded by negative stereotyping of mental illness.
They are also likely to have more restricted life choices than their peers and are three times more likely than other children to experience mental health problems themselves. They often live in a family unit which struggle financially as a family unit because one or both parents cannot work due to their mental ill health. With a high absenteeism rate from school, they are torn between their education needs and their caring role.

CAUSE , a registered NI charity, supports carers of people with enduring mental illness. A unique peer-led organisation, all of its frontline team and senior management have direct personal experience as a mental health carer. One of CAUSE’s strategic priorities, aims to provide safe, quality support to those children and young people who continue to be affected by any caring role of mental health within their family, to raise awareness of young carers and to support and influence change effectively.

CAUSE’s Young Carers Equine Programme enables young carers to be with their caring peers whilst learning how to deal with issues that evolve from their caring role; be sign posted to other young people’s services and support organisations as well as being offered much needed respite from their caring role. Helping to reduce both isolation and marginalisation experienced by young mental health carers, the programme also helps stamp out the associated stigma.

Anne Holland, Fundraising Manager for CAUSE stated, ‘The emotional and physical benefits of companion animals are now being established in psychiatric hospitals and elderly care units and there is well-researched evidence that spending time with animals can have a direct calming influence. Our Young Carers Equine Programme will offer young carers a unique opportunity to improve their own mental well-being by working with the natural behaviour of horses alongside a specifically designed therapeutic programme. Taking place outdoors it will provide young carers with the chance to experience a rural environment and reconnect with a more natural way of life. For those young carers who have been subjected to long periods within mental health caring or experienced severe family difficulties or deprivation, this is a very rewarding and stimulating therapeutic intervention. 

Our 2014 Schools Show Jumping Challenge to be held on St Patrick’s Day at Portmore will support this new and unique young carer’s programme. As part of our Christmas Appeal, we are asking the equestrian world to get behind our young carers by organising a fundraising event or by making a donation.’
You can help transform the lives of young mental health carers and siblings by:
Texting FOAL14 £3 to 70070
Online at www.justgiving.com/youngcausecarers
For further information call Anne on 90650650 or email fundraising@cause.org.uk

Tori Showkum on Tally Ho, Ciarra Heron on QT Blue and Ruth Hunter on Roundstone Star Express

Tori Showkum and Tally Ho were the stars of the show at Portmore’s recent Inter-venue tour on 23rd November.  This new combination claimed first place in the 80cm and 90cm classes setting times that just couldn’t be caught!

Victoria Beattie and Rodney provided the first clear of the competition in style, with lots of young horses and new combinations enjoying the experience.  Tracey Lockhart and Loughview Clover Jones won the 1m class 8 seconds clear, while Lucy Stewart on Rose, and Julie Blakely on Murphy also provided foot perfect rounds.

The final of the Intervenue tour is due to be held on at 7th at Connell Hill starting at 10am with classes from 70cm to 1.20m
70cm
Victoria Beattie, Rodney
Zoe Woods, Jill
Ciara Heron, QT Blue

Tori Showkum on Tally Ho, Ursula Bamford, Daisy, Tracey Lockhard on Loughview Clover Jones

Leanne Radcliffe, Inca

80cm
Ciarra Heron, QT Blue
Lynn Lowry, My Mustang Sally
Tori Showkum, Tally Ho
Ruth Hunter, Roundstone Star Express
90cm
Tori Showkum, Tally Ho
Ursula Bamford, Daisy
Tracey Lockhard, Loughview Clover Jones
Ruth Hunter, Roundstone Star Express

1m
Julie Blakely, Murphy
Lucy Stewart, Rose
Tracey Lockhard, Loughview Clover Jones

1.10m

1.10m competitors Karen Heron on Sky Cruise and Julie Blakely on Murph

Julie Blakely, Murphy
Karen Heron, Sky Cruise

Preparing Mares for Stud Book Inspections Demo 14th August at Portmore Equestrian Centre

Managing Equine Health through Nutrition Workshop 28th August at Greenmount Campus

Digital Marketing & Social Media for Equine Businesses on 2nd September at Lagan Valley Island in Lisburn

Health and Safety for Equestrian Events on 13th and 14th September at Lagan Valley Island on the evening of 13th and Scarvagh One Day Event on the morning of 14th September.  Caroline Neville RDS Safety Officer will explain how to think about safety, without spoiling the fun.  Includes a Practical walk around Scarvagh One Day Event.

Equestrian Law Seminar on 7th November at Armagh City Hotel

Transporting Horses by Road (Short Journeys) on 15th November at Greenmount Campus

Standard Setting for BHS Stage 1, 2 &3 exams with  Jo Winfield FBHS -To clarify BHS riding exam
requirements for candidates & instructors at Laurel View Equestrian Centre on 22nd November

Joseph Murphy Eventing Clinic on 4th December at Portmore Equestrian Centre