Racehorse to riding horse competitors had a busy weekend in the Northern region with Armagh Show’s packed programme including everything from the popular riding classes for exracers which included a qualifier for the RDS also a sidesaddle class a class for the unraced thoroughbreds and the fun event of Racehorse to Hunt which caught the imagination of the crowd.

During the same weekend, Cork Summer Show held an RDS qualifier in the Open class and they also held a retraining class.

The association is seeing stronger classes throughout the country with both quality and quantity of entrant rising and the famous horses riding against the lesser known on a level playing field

At Armagh we had the former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander and Forpaddydeplasterer in the open competition, where 15 horses fought a highly competitive class and in Cork we had Binocular a former Cheltenham winner lining up with several others to take his chance at the qualifier.

In the northern region only 5 points separated the first 6 horses and the competition as equally hot in cork the RDS Qualifiers being Paddydeplasterer with Joanne Quirke at Armagh and Binocular with Tom Busteed at Cork.

In Armagh the introduction of an unraced thoroughbred class proved popular with seven entries.  Although only 5 attended it was a great start for what will become an equally polular class.  The side saddle class is still in early stages while more riders learn this new skill for many and the racehorse to hunt included a jumping course which contained a hurdle set of 8 jumps, a stirrup cup and a swinging gate to negotiate had a number of entries. Due to the late start only 4 competitors stayed but our judge Louise Halford borrowed two horses and took a spin herself much to the crowds delight.

As well as the RDS qualifiers, the winners received a rug and rosette from the Irish thoroughbred Marketing presented by our representative on their behalf from the Open Classes. There are also qualifiers for the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing racehorse to riding horse 2014 from both venues. This weekend will bring the third RDS qualifier at Gorey Co Wexford on Saturday 21st June, with the final RDS qualifier being held at Adrahan Galway next month.

In the northern region we had the third round of the Down Royal Racecourse Northern Ridden League which is running very closely with the final qualifiers being at Saintfield on Saturday with Newry show and the Equi Festival on the 28th June. The final will be held at the racecourse on the 20th July 2014.

Open class Armagh:

1st: Paddydeplasterer – joanne quirke 2nd:Amstecos – Philippa Baird

3rd: Cacalcanti – Robyn Catterall

Open class Cork Summer show

1st:Binocular – Tom Busteed 2nd: Where now -Lois Chappell

3rd: Eoghans Delight – Cass Foley

Retraining (within the confines of the show ring)Armagh

1st: Mull on the Run – Robyn Catterall 2nd: Leggy Lad – Alexis Hall

3rd: Lord of Aghalee – Mollly Simpson

Retraining (within the confines of the show ring)Cork summer Show

1st: Tubs and Jugs – Valerie Desmond 2nd: Laureldene Chief – Mary McCarthy

3rd: Tarzer – Friona Sheridan

Side saddle – Armagh

1st: Cavalcanti – Robyn Catterall

Unraced thoroughbreds: Armagh

1st: Top Notch – June Ellenberg 2nd: Beechburn Lass – Chloe Thompson

3rd:Sweet Serentity – Tiffany Williams

Racehorse to hunt horse

equal 1st: Robyn Catterall – Charlotte Calvert – Ciara McQuoid – Stephanie Foster – the judges and crowd enjoyed them all so it was divided

Many thanks to judges show societies and competitors who make the competitions so enjoyable