Daniel Brown on Euro Jackpot winning the CNCJ* Class. Photo provided by Sporting Images NI

The Northern Region of Eventing Ireland brought their 2013 season to a conclusion in very fine style at Tullymurry on Saturday. As always, the Turley family put great effort into ensuring that the grounds were in good shape and Tony McManmon, who hot-footed it from Knockany the previous week, had built some fantastic new fences including a trakhenor which was certainly not for the faint-hearted!
CAFRE, in tandem with the Event, ran a Health & Safety Course for Equestrian Sports which was very well attended by representatives of all disciplines.
The O/CNC* class this week was won by Trevor Smith riding the Diane Harron-Eakin bred 9 year old mare, Ringfort Tinkarula who finished on their dressage score ahead of Emma Jackson and Amy B.
University student, Daniel Brown, rose to the fore in the CNCJ* class on his mother, Maureen Brown’s, Euro Jackpot which had previously been campaigned by Steven Smith. The combination maintained their early lead, despite lowering a coloured pole, to finish over two points clear of Kate Gibney on Rebecca Gibney’s Limmerick mare, Sea Pearl.
Kathryn Graham returned to the top of the U25 CNC* class on her nine year old gelding, Ladakhas Guy as did Denis Currie in the Dunboyne Castle-sponsored Sportsman A class where he delivered the only clear showjumping round to steal a march on his nearest rival, Joy Lindsay who has picked up a number of first rosettes in the last few weeks.
Emma Jackson who was leading the CNC* class on Creevagh Connection, picked up 20 cross country penalties which left the path open for her second mount, Creevagh Silver de Haar, to claim top prize having added nothing to the first phase score. Joseph Murphy, who was still buoyed by his 3* win at Ballindennisk the previous week slotted into 2nd place on Killossery Athletic Touch, a 7 year old gelding by the sire, Out of Touch.
The Sportsman B class was reduced to three starters this week and was won by Claire Hunter on her own, home-bred gelding, Spice Up the News with Caroline Dinning slotting in behind on Rathcarraig Cool Imp.
Once again this week Clare Abbott had the ride of Jenna Calderwood’s mare, Tullymurry High Light in the Pre Novice class where showjumping faults were in abundance. Clare added nothing to her flatwork mark to finish 5 points clear of Emma Jackson on her own grey stallion, Millhollow Real Mac Coy.
Iona Kane and Seavaghan Redwing were the only finishers in the Junior C competition and Karen McKee repeated her Scarvagh victory by winning the Castle Leslie Estate’s Sportsman C class ahead of Carole Young and What a Diamond, who were new recruits to Eventing this year and who have certainly enjoyed themselves all season.
Nicholas Tougher’s nice clear showjumping round moved him up three notches in the CNCP* class where he won by a fraction on Monochrome Boy over Hannah Blakely and Rough Terrain.
The biggest, and perhaps most competitive, class of the day was the LAFARGE TARMAC sponsored Intro where relative newcomer, Emily McGowan rode a very effective dressage test to gain 86% and, despite knocking one fence, maintained her lead throughout to finish 5 points clear of Ellen Graham and Lisfuncheon Chinook.
Meantime, there were some very impressive dressage tests ridden in the Pony C class where the final placings of all competitors mirrored that of the dressage phase. First place went to Lucy Lamont on the lovely little bay gelding, Yogi Bear, with Caitie Slaiter picking up 2nd place on her first EI Event with her new pony, Colour Code Chinook, previously campaigned by Rachel Rendle.
Eventing Ireland (NR) extends a huge thank you to the Turley Family for all their hard work and preparation for the event as well as their customary top class hospitality and welcoming attitude.
Since this is the final event of 2013, thanks also goes to each and every helper for the entire year. Our sport depends on a host of volunteers and we are truly blessed to have many who return week after week, in all weathers, to ensure that the competitions can proceed.
We are also deeply indebted to our sponsors: Arkonline.ie, Baileys Horse Feeds, Castle Leslie Estate, Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa, Hit Air, Horse First, Horseware, Hydeequine, Lafarge Tarmac, Red Mills, Tredstep and Sporting Images, without whom we could not function.
The Northern Region Awards Ball takes place at La Mon House Hotel on Saturday 23 November and tickets, priced £48 per person (includes champagne reception, 4 course meal and dancing to The Bizz) can now be purchased on the Eventing Ireland website. When tickets have been purchased, please advise Dora on 07876758979 or dorabeacom@live.co.uk of required seating arrangements.

Full Results
O/CNC1*
1. Trevor Smith, Ringfort Tinkarula 2. Emma Jackson, Amy B
CNCJ1*
1. Daniel Brown, Euro Jackpot 2. Kate Gibney, Sea Pearl 3. Conor Maguire, Derroon Wood 4. Jemma Parkhill, Summerhill Echo 5. Harold Megahey, Bartramstown Drum Major
CNC1* U25
1. Kathryn Graham, Ladakhas Guy 2. Johnny Mulligan, Valentino Red
CNC1*
1. Emma Jackson, Creevagh Silver de Haar 2. Joseph Murphy, Killossery Athletic Touch 3. Steven Smith, Best News 4. Florence Smith, Anvil Diamond 5. Joseph Murphy, Miss J 6. Trevor Smith, Nauvoo
Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa Sportsman A
1. Denis Currie, Bering Strait 2. Joy Lindsay, Lassban Au Revoir 3. Nicola Wright, Monmurry Sovereign 4. Lynne Ireland, Blackwood Quantum Rebel 5. Britt Megahey, Big Max
CNCP2*
1. Kate Gibney, Carrenhill Bobby
Arkonline.ie Sportsman B
1. Claire Hunter, Spice Up the News 2. Caroline Dinning, Rathcarraig Cool Imp 3. Paddy O’Rourke, Old Flames
Pre Novice
1. Clare Abbott, Tullymurry High Light 2. Emma Jackson, Millhollow Real Mac Coy 3. Katy McKenzie, Its Our Otto 4. Steven Smith, Tiocfaidh Mo La 5. Ian McCluggage, Muddy Jess 6. Alexa Grudgings, Outfoxed
Junior C
1. Iona Kane, Seavaghan Redwing
CNCP1*
1. Nicholas Tougher, Monochrome Boy 2. Hannah Blakely, Rough Terrain 3. Ella Boyle, Granstown Bobby Dazzler 4. Anna Kelly, Scarlet Knight 5. Fionn Clarke, Knockroe Little Mike
Castle Leslie Estate Sportsman C
1. Karen McKee, Kool Style 2. Carole Young, What a Diamond
LAFARGE TARMAC Intro
1. Emily McGowan, Paintball w2. Ellen Graham, Lisfuncheon Chinook 3. Mark Robinson, Jovian Moon 4. Holly McClenaghan, Miranda 5. Holly Wray, Lunar Star 6. Julia Lyttle, Zoro Azoo
Pony C
1. Lucy Lamont, Yogi Bear 2. Caitie Slater, Colour Code Chinook 3. Sasha Bloch, Inspector Morse 4. Izzy Riley, Monarch of the Glen 5. Maya Boyle, Topaz Zareign Spirit 6. Becky Williams, Captain Flash

The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) have launched a programme of short courses, workshops and information seminars for the Equine Industry this Autumn. The courses are aimed at equine businesses, professional horse people and leisure riders with the range of courses including something for everyone.

Courses include Managing Equine Health through Nutrition Workshop on the 28th August at Greenmount Campus, Antrim. Have you ever had a nutritional question you would like answered? This is your chance as Dr. Stephanie Wood, Registered Equine Nutritionist, will discuss problems and disorders which can be caused by or assisted by nutrition, in a relaxed, fun, evening starting at 7pm.

Digital Marketing & Social Media for Equine Businesses on 2^nd September at 7pm will be an excellent seminar held at Lagan Valley Island in Lisburn, where Liam Killen from Abbey View Equine and founder of Abbeyview Equine and Equestrian Social Media Awards, will show you how to promote yourself or your equine businesses through social media such as Facebook and Twitter. If you know you should be on Facebook but don’t know where to start, Liam will point you in the right direction. Emma Ferguson from global brand Horseware, will also talk about how they have used digital marketing to reach out to customers. Other topics include Online advertising, Google Business pages and sending out e-zines.

Health and Safety for Equestrian Events will be held at Tullymurray Equestrian Centre on the evening of Friday 27^th at 7pm and morning of Saturday 28^th September at 10am. If you organise or hold Equine events of any level, this will be an extremely interesting workshop. Caroline Neville, the Safety Officer at Dublin Horse Show and Tattersalls Horse Trails, will explain how to think about safety without spoiling the fun! The Saturday morning will include a practical walk around Tullymurray One Day Event with Caroline.

To book your place in any of the courses or for further information contact Rachel McGuigan by emailing rachel.mcguigan@dardni.gov.uk or call or text 07748 338 279. For the full list of courses check out the website www.cafre.ac.uk and look for the Equine Short Course page.

The day commenced with show jumping over a colourful course of poles and fillers, followed by a well presented and challenging Cross Country Course which had been well sanded on the landings. The course flowed well and was a vowed a great learning experience for both horse and rider, only bogey fence appeared to be a plain 2ft 3″ log which some horses and ponies took a dislike to, (must have been the fairies!).

The Open 1m Class saw Roberta Hampton/JD Buzz lift the Oakley Fayre Cup. Class 2(Novice Horse over 18yrs) was split with Jim McCann/Butterfly take the Holmestead Saddlery Cup for 2A with Sadie Henry/Trendseeker winning the Tullymurry Novice Horse Cup for 2B. A hotly contested Class 3(under 18yrs Novice) found Cloe Rooney/Lismahon Houdini closest to the Optimium time and the recipient of the Mathison Contracts Cup.

The very popular Intro Class was won by Norma Ferguson/Chico Time who received the Isabella Shields Memorial Cup. The Under 18yrs in this section saw Tara Bertholm/VaVa Voom take the Tullymurry Trophy, while the Under 12yrs was won by Abi Comisky/Kitty receiving the “Just Shane” Perpetual Trophy. Well done to all competitors and many thanks to all who helped on the day.

Results.
Class 1 open. Oakley Fayre Cup. 1 Roberta Hampton/JD Buzz, 2 Jemma Parkhill/Louis, 3 Lindsay Gault/Always Willing, 4 Donna Pundziute/Charlie.
Class 2A Novice Horse Holmestead Saddlery Cup. 1 Jim McCann/Butterfly, 2 Suzanne Hagan/Felix, 2 Ellen Graham/Eclipse, 4 Colin Halliday/Monty.
Class 2B Tullymurry Novice Horse Cup. 1 Sadie Henry/Trendseeker, 2 Lee Mooney/Realta, 3 Alexandra Clarke/Red Curaco, 4 Jonathan Hagan/Dougie.
Class 3 U18 Mathison Contracts Cup. 1 Cloe Rooney/Lismahon Houdini, 2 Ellie Parkhill/Toni, 3 Sophie Price/Tommy Zoom, 4 Ellie McMullan/Ballyduff Sparky.
Class 4 Intro. Isabella Shields Memorial Cup. 1 Norma Ferguson/Chico Time, 2 Cloe Lister/Daisy, 3 Malachy Casement/ Mr Darcy, 4 Melissa McBurney/ Darraghs Bounty.
Class 5 U18 Tullymurry Trophy. 1 Tara Bertholm/Va Va Voom, 2 Emma Holmes/Bannagher Boomerang, 3 Katie O’Reilly/Blaze, 4 Lauren Gabby/Just Spencer.
Class 6 U12 “Just Shane” Trophy. 1 Abi Comisky/Kitty, 2 Tom Rowlett-McCormick/Nat King Cole, 3 Kerry Magill/Flapjack Flyer, 4th Rachel Patterson/Ladybug.