Alison Crothers on Keko

Tyrella was packed on Saturday and Sunday for a weekend extravaganza run by Eventing Ireland’s Northern Region. The weather certainly was in our favour as the County Down estate was bathed in glorious sunshine.

Saturday was the Annual Two Phase Event where three testing tracks, designed and built by Adam Stevenson provided plenty of challenges for all competitors, with superb ground conditions.

Ballyclare’s Alison Crothers, partnering Keko, beat off stiff opposition from over 50 other competitors to win the top senior class just ahead of Emma Jackson and Ben.

This was the first year in its ten year history that the metre class had to be divided due to the size of entries. The Junior section saw great rivalry in the Hayden household where Marcus and Anna, under the tutelage of Ken Mahon, took the top two spots, having travelled from Maynooth, Co Kildare for the occasion.

Zara Sharvin on Woodvale classic lady

The first of the two Senior 90cms classes was won by Ryan Hopper riding Nicky Nesbitt’s 8 year old gelding,  Brave Endeavour while victory in the second class was reserved for a very delighted Ellen Graham. The Junior 90cms class was another highly competitive section where Helen Cunningham and Leitrim Native Choice took top honours just ahead of William Mackie and Ricardo Colour. Meantime, Karina McVeigh from Holywood left her mark on the Senior 70cms class, being only one of two riders to finish inside the time with Midnight Reflection. Zara Sharvin proved her worth by winning the Junior class on Woodvale Classic Lady, finishing just slightly closer to the optimum time than second placed Alex McCourt who thoroughly enjoyed the occasion and returned the following day to repeat the exercise!

Eventing Ireland is deeply indebted to David Corbett for the use of his excellent facilities at Tyrella which allowed the Event to run in perfect conditions even with the recent heavy rain. Many thanks too, to Course Designer, Adam Stevenson and to Stuart Stirling, Technical Delegate, who did a remarkable job of ensuring that the whole cross country element ran flawlessly after competitors had been counted down by the very professional duo of Desi and Eunice Graham. Nick Boyle provided everyone with a very eloquent, amusing and continuous commentary throughout the six hours of cross country, assisted in the Control Box by Gillian McCoy and Sarah Whiteside. The excellent Showjumping courses were designed and built by Aaron McCusker . David Greene and Sharon Cullen judged the showjumping while Kayleigh Young , in her very professional manner, ensured that there was never a lull in proceedings.

Ellen graham on Eclipse

Thanks, as always to our Fence Judges: Raymond & Myra McIlwrath, Dawn & Abby Carlisle, Alanna Duncan, Doreen & Lauren Johnston, Gail Smith, Karen Connolly, Raymond Cullen, Carolyn Houston and Judith Graham who did sterling work throughout the day.

Photographs on the day were taken by Sporting Images and these can be viewed on their website, www.sportingimagesni.co.uk .

Full Results

Event 1A – Senior 1m

1. Alison Crothers, Keko 2. Emma Jackson, Ben 3= Christine Newton, Runaway Rebel & Lois Thompson, Ferros Flight

Event 1B – Junior 1m

1. Marcus Hayden, Andy 2. Anna Hayden, Boots 3. Holly Boal, Classiebawn Jack’s Lad 4. Nicholas Tougher, Silver Fox 5. William Tougher, Pennanes Midnight Expres 6. Amy Jo Regan, Charlie

Event 2 – Senior 90cms (Section A)

1. Ryan Hopper, Brave Difference 2. Kerry Gilmore, Shannon 3. Pierre Samuel, Swanky 4. Conor O’Hare, Mr Merlin 5. Lee Mooney, Realta 6= Natasha Moore, murphy& Emma Jackson, Angel & Dee Barrett-Davies, Keeford O’Reilly

Event 3 – Senior 90cms  (Section B)

1. Ellen Graham, Eclipse 2. Pauline Hutchinson, A Lot of Promise 3. Sam Gowdy, Zara 4. Carole Young, What a Diamond 5. Jenny Montgomery, Milford’s Lady 6. Nat Wilton, Ho Ho

Event 4 – Junior 90cms

1. Helen Cunningham, Leitrim Native Choice 2. William Mackie, Ricardo Colour 3. Ellie McMullan, Ballyduff Sparky 4. Hannah Whittle, Trevor 5. Holly McClenaghan, Miranda 6. Alexandra Cleland, Whisper Grey Dove

Event 5 – Senior 70cms

1. Karina McVeigh, Midnight Reflection 2. David Crosse, Ellie May 3. Sam Gowdy, The Real Ruby 4. Victoria Wray, Uncle Ben 5. Jonathan West, Busby Diamond 6. Judith Horner, Mickey

Event 6- Junior 70cms

1. Zara Sharvin, Woodvale Classic Lady 2. Alex McCourt, Biscuit 3. Katie McKee, Sam 4. Molly Evans, Robin Hood 5. Carly Douglas, Zorro 6. Abby Cummiskey, Glanerch Purr

The Showjumping Course Designer was Aaron McCusker who certainly provided very fair tracks and moved fences for each class to ensure optimum conditions for everyone. The Judging team was David Greene and Sharon Cullen while Kayleigh Young did a magnificent job as call up.

The top class was divided into two sections because of the very large entry. The ‘A’ section was won in fine style by Alison Crothers on Keko who finished marginally closer to the optimum time than young rider, Toni Quail, who must be looking forward to an exciting Eventing year after her super performance with Stonebrook Tosca.

Top of the leaderboard in the  ‘B’ section was Denis Currie and Bering Strait who was the only combination in the class to finish without time penalties. Second place went to Elaine O’Connor on the home-bred Tullymurry Holly who is now featuring in line –ups almost as frequently as the winning duo.

The Currie family were indeed in winning form as Judith McCarthy (nee Currie) claimed victory in Class 2 just ahead of Emma Murray and Ballycrystal Boy with 77 year old Albert Lowry slotting into 3^rd place on Oh Dear. The second Senior 85cms class was won by Sharon Cowan and Calin King with Stephanie Elliott and Coffee claiming 2^nd place.

The Junior 85cms class is always highly competitive and this year was no exception. In the end the honours went to Chloe Rooney on Lismahon Houdini with Hannah Blakely, a new Eventing recruit this year, taking second place on the very reliable Rough Terrain.

The 70cms competitors were very patient as they waited their turn to excel and Seamus Rodgers certainly did that by claiming two of the top six spots, with a  winning entry on Sport. Colin Halliday, who was undoubtedly one of the busiest competitors of the day, claimed second place on Hero.

The biggest smile of the day was reserved for local girl, Caitlin Brown, who stormed to victory in the final class on her maiden competition, the Junior 70cms, on Corha Delight just ahead of Fiona Grogan and Amber.

Photographs on the day were taken by Sporting Images and these can be viewed on their website, www.sportingimagesni.co.uk .  Many thanks to, to Stuart Stirling who was Technical Delegate and who did a remarkable job of ensuring that the whole cross country element ran flawlessly after competitors had been counted down by the very professional duo of Desi and Eunice Graham. Finally, many thanks to the great team of Judges, Fence Stewards, Control, Commentators, starters and catering staff whose tireless efforts paid dividends on a very busy weekend.

Full Results

Event 1A – 1m

1. Alison Crothers, Keko 2. Toni Quail, Stonebrook Tosca 3. William Greene, Keeford O’Reilly 4. Niamh Harding, Brownie Pointz 5. Carla Troughton, Geronimo 6. William Greene, Edentrillick Leviticus

Event 1B – 1m

1. Denis Currie, Bering Strait 2. Elaine O’Connor, Tullymurry Holly 3. Hollie O’Flynn, Kilcooley Independence 4. Cathy Campbell, Carnhill Lucy 5. Beth Murray, Kit N Kaboodle 6. Lisa Allen, Poppy

Event 2 – Senior 85cms

1. Judith McCarthy, Mixed Up 2. Emma Murray, Ballycrystal Boy 3. Albert Lowry, Oh Dear 4. Bronagh Stevenson, Albert 5. Lesley Ann Moore, Princess Fredo 6. Lisa Corry, Meribel Rock

Event 3 – Senior 85cms

1. Sharon Cowan, Calin King 2. Stephanie Elliott, Coffee  3= Colin Halliday, Guy & Nicola McKee, Silken Mix 5. Rachel McKimmon, Mambrino 6. Emma Jackson, Silky

Event 4 – Junior 85cms

1. Chloe Rooney, Lismahon Houdini 2. Hannah Blakely, Rough Terrain 3. Ryan Truesdale, Ballynakelly Flyer 4. Primrose Dillon, Ryan 5. Abi Carlisle, Troy 6. Susannah Graham, Rakish Talisman

Event 5 – Senior 70cms

1. Seamus Rodgers, Sport 2.Colin Halliday, Hero 3. Gillian Pierce, Davey 4. Carol Armstrong, Cornascriebe Camiro 5. Seamus Rodgers, Big Man 6. Caroline Chambers, Villas Dream

Event 6 – Junior 70cms

1. Caitlin Brown, Corha Delight 2. Fiona Grogan, Amber 3. Rebecca Loney, Penny Bazinga 4. Jade Harper, Rayid Top Dollar 5= Wendy Anderson, Cosmic Chaos & Katie Conlon, MacKenzie’s Lad