Back to back wins for Uptown Girl & Daniel Coyle

 

It was a case of déjà vu by two as Daniel Coyle won back to back victories in the first two running’s of this year’s HSI / Bluegrass Spring Tour Grand Prix with Linzi Johnston’s mare Uptown Girl. To top things off, Coyle and Uptown Girl were defending their crown at Ravensdale Lodge as they had ruled supreme in the 2012 version. If history is to be relied on to repeat itself, it must surely be a good omen as the partnership went on to win the 2012 Spring Tour league.

The day got off to the best possible start as the sun shone brightly on the meadows at Ravensdale Lodge. The centre basked in bright spring sunshine all day, something neither man nor beast has been accustomed to frequently for the past few wet and dreary months. Everyone’s spirits were lifted by the good weather as competitors came out of hibernation looking forward to the season ahead. The first two classes were dominated by the same riders as they juggled positions on the podium and it was course specialist, Eleanora Cunningham on board the ever reliable Holly Balloo who came home clear in the fastest time in the 1m class, breaking the beam in a time of 24.39 seconds. Second in the class was Sarah Kilpatrick from Banbridge riding her own Russian Gold, the pair going clear in a time of 28.29 seconds. Niamh Rothwell, wife of racehorse trainer Philip, travelled up from County Wicklow and was rewarded with third place in the class riding her own Be Serious Too , the time 28.97 seconds. Fourth place went to Judy Murphy’s Tullyoran Magic which was partnered by young rider Aoife Dooley. Ardee rider Rebecca Kieran slotted into fifth place on board her mother Noleen’s Echo Island while another local rider Tara Dunne came home sixth on her own Tennyson Legend.

Holly Baloo came close in the second class of the day. the 1.10m but Cunningham had to settle for second place on the grey, giving best to Andrew Byrne on Hunters Lodge Puissance, the combination coming home clear in a smashing time 22.98 seconds. Third, as with the previous class went to Niamh Rothwell who had travelled up from Wicklow with class winner Andrew Byrne, Rothwell and Be Serious Too came home in 29.10 seconds. Sarah Kilpatrick was involved in the business end of this class as well as she came home

fourth on another of her horses, this time it was Roc Tredudon. Carol Armstrong claimed fifth berth on board her own Cornascriebe Cava Diamond while Slane Co. Meath rider John Floody warmed up for the bigger classes by filling sixth place with J. Attley’s Toscana. The third class of the day, the 1.20m Grand Prix warm up class was won by the Maura Counihan owned and ridden Killerisk Minnie in a time of 36.66 seconds. Class two winner, Andrew Burns from Wicklow had to settle for second best with Hunters Lodge Puissance, the pair stopping the clock in 36.70 seconds while Carol Armstrong climbed two places from her class two fifth to finish in third place on Cornascriebe Cava Diamond, their time 37.49 seconds. Fourth place went to Patricia Mc Connon’s Zinniz Roundthorn which was partnered by Robert Newell, fifth went to Victoria Anderson riding her mother Olive’s Zack while John Floody filled sixth berth once again, this time with Eileen Duggan’s Bronson De Reve.

Two young riders from Northern Ireland have dominated the Spring Tour Grand Prix at Ravensdale Lodge since the first event took place in 2009. Conor Drain was successful in both the 2009 and 2010 running’s while Captain Michael Kelly won the 2011 class before Daniel Coyle took over in 2012 and once again in 2013. SJI Vice Chairman and Ulster region chairman Ray Buchanan put on his course designers hat for the day and the Senior National designer did not disappoint with his tracks all day. The surfaces at Ravensdale Lodge were in great condition and had been raked and rolled between classes so jumping conditions had been good throughout. Buchanan weighed up all the usual ingredients such as number of entries, arena dimensions, time of year and level of competitor in deciding his track for the O’ Reillys Wholesalers Newry sponsored 1.30m (S) Grand Prix. Twenty seven had pre entered for the class and Buchanan must have thought he had set a softer target than expected as the second, third and fourth to enter the arena went clear. However all thoughts of a free for all in the jump off evaporated as it took another eight combinations before the next clear and a lucky thirteen before the eventual winner went clear. First of the five to leave all the poles up in the first round was Daniel Coyle on Cormac Mc Evoy’s Special Leap and he was quickly followed by another young rider from Northern Ireland, Sophie Dalm on her mother Amanda’s Unique. Local rider,

Tara Dunne was third of the early trio to go clear with her own Titania B before the drought of clear rounds. No fence on the course caused a particular problem and most fences on the track had a pole down in a flurry of four faulter’s before Derek Mc Connell went clear on Kieran Cahill’s Oakpark High Flyer. Last on the start list was the 2012 venue and league winners, Daniel Coyle with Uptown Girl and Linzi Johnston’s mare did not disappoint as the combination sailed over every obstacle to add their name to the quartet of names to go through to the jump off. Coyle was lucky enough to have two in the jump off and as it happened they would jump first and last. Special Leap was his first into the arena and they had a real go as Coyle pushed the button on Cormac Mc Elroy’s horse but a pole down in the fastest time of the afternoon was never going to win the class but was good enough for third place. Amanda Dalm was next in with Unique and the combination were foot perfect to record a clear round in a challenging time of 42.38 seconds. Lady riders had been well represented in the line up all afternoon and one of the main flag bearers for the fairer sex was Tara Dunne who had tremendous support among the large crowd of spectators who were there for the afternoon. The crowd willed the local rider round the course but a pole down in 43.85 seconds would only be good enough for fourth place on the day to the disappointment of all her supporters. Derek Mc Connell with Oakpark High Flyer were next to take it on and though they recorded the second fastest time of the jump off it is poles on the ground that count and unfortunately for the combination they had two down in a time of 40.59 seconds which left them fifth in the class overall. There was a buzz of expectation as Coyle entered the arena on his second horse and as Daniel took one last look at the course with Uptown Girl there was an air of inevitability about how the class was going to pan out. The script had been written and like all good professionals, Coyle and Uptown Girl executed the plan with precision and to perfection, job done in 40.71 seconds and so, just like Conor Drain before him, Daniel Coyle became a back to back winner of the Spring Tour at Ravensdale Lodge. The minor places were filled by Sophie Dalm who must have been delighted with her afternoon’s work on her mother Amanda’s Valliant, Victoria Anderson, another to have a good day at the centre filled seventh berth with her mother Olive’s Zack while John Floody added some valuable points to his early league tally by slotting into eight place on Paula Rafter’s grey PMR Rehy Irish All Star. While still early in the season with many a twist in the road along the way it bodes well for a repeat of their league success in 2012 for Coyle and Uptown Girl if everything goes according to plan for them.
Week ending 17th February 2013, results Ravensdale Lodge Equestrian, Trekking & Event Centre.

Indoor horse training show Thursday 14th February.

70cm class, divided between: Mary Cosgrove’s Rio (M. Cosgrove), Victoria Craig’s Rocky (V. Craig) & Emma Mc Caul’s Shea (E. Mc Caul).

80cm class: Victoria Craig’s Rocky (V. Craig).

90cm class: Gareth Mc Kevitt’s Wee Willie (G. Mc Kevitt).

1m class: Pauline Dwidell’s Cruise (P. Dwydell).

1.10m class, divided between: Mary Curtis’ Barney (M. Curtis), Siobhan Dunne’s Mouse C (T. Dunne) & Siobhan Dunne’s Frankie (T. Dunne).

1.20m class, divided between: Georgina Forbes’ Castleforbes Sedona (M. E Rice), Siobhan Dunne’s William (T. Dunne) & Mary Ellen Rice’s July (M. E Rice).

1.30m class: Siobhan Dunne’s Rosie (T. Dunne).

Crowne Plaza Dundalk SJI registered indoor horse & pony league commences Thursday 21st February and continues every Thursday to 25th April. Start time 11am horses & 5pm ponies, usual classes.

Horseware Ireland indoor horse & pony training league Friday 16th February.

X poles class, divided between; Ravensdale Lodge’s Womble (L. Cosgrove), Ravensdale Lodge’s Seaspray (J. Boyle), Lauren Gormley’s Paddy (L. Gormley), Ravensdale Lodge’s Womble (N. Gormley) & Ravensdale Lodge’s Seaspray (R. Martin) (Drew prize).

60cm class, divided between: Katelyn King’s Misty (K. King) & E & R Connolly’s Dynamite (J. Connolly) (Drew prize).

70cm class, divided between: Trevor Cardwell’s Cassie (T. Cardwell) & Katie Matthews’ Sir Freddie (K. Matthews) (Drew prize).

80cm class, divided between: Sinead Young’s Jacobi (S. Young), Katie Matthews’ Sir Freddie (E. Doherty), Judith Horner’s Roxy (J. Horner) & Chloe Cumming’s Miss Suspicion (C. Cumming) (Drew prize).

90cm class: No clear rounds.

1m class: Carl Webb’s Bella (C. Webb).

1.10m class: No clear rounds.

Fuel voucher draw winner: Judith Horner & Roxy.

Horseware Ireland indoor horse & pony training league continues Friday 22nd February and every Friday to 26th April. Classes X poles to 1.10m, start time 5pm.

Mackins Horse Feeds indoor arena eventing league Saturday 16th February.

60cm class: # 1 divided between, Harry Herr’s Amigo (H. Herr), Ally Herr’s Thunder (A. Herr) (Mackins Horse Feeds voucher) & Vicky Campbell’s Tilly Tiger Lily (V. Campbell), # 2 divided between, Paula Keene’s Perry (P. Keene) & Debbie Larkin’s Angel (D. Larkin), # 3 Ravensdale Lodge’s Jack (C. Twohig Carter).

70cm class: # 1 divided between, Deirdre Hunt’s Othello (D. Hunt), Georgia Kirkwood’s Maddie (G. Kirkwood) (Mackins Horse Feeds voucher) & Sophie Price’s Sweet William (S. Price), # 2 Kirsten Patterson’s Cheery (K. Patterson) & Vicky Campbell’s Tilly Tiger Lily (V. Campbell), # 3 Ravensdale Lodge’s Sage (E. O’ Reilly).

85cm class: # 1 divided between, Kirsten Patterson’s Beanie (K. Patterson), Abby Armstrong’s Atlantic Firefly (A. Armstrong) & Katelyn Stuart’s Oscar (K. Stuart) (Mackins Horse Feeds voucher), # 2 Sophie Prices’ Tommie Zoom (S. Price), # 3 Georgia Kirkwood’s Maddie (G. Kirkwood)

1m class: # 1 divided between, Abby Armstrong’s Atlantic Firefly (A. Armstrong) (Mackins Horse Feeds voucher) & Marie Clare Bellew’s Rua (M. C Bellew), # 2 divided between, Danny Mc Comb’s Tad (D. Mc Comb) & Olivia Mc Gauley’s Loughview Lady (O. Mc Gauley).

Fuel voucher draw winner: Danny Mc Comb & Tad.

Mackins Horse Feeds indoor arena eventing league continues Saturday 23rd February and every Saturday to 27th April. Classes 60cm, 70cm, 85cm & 1m, start time 3pm.

O’ Reillys Wholesalers Newry sponsored HSI / Bluegrass Spring Tour horse show Sunday 17th February.

1m class: # 1 Eleanora Cunningham’s Holly Balloo (E. Cuunningham) 24.39 seconds, # 2 Sarah Kilpatrick’s Russian Gold (S. Kilpatrick) 28.29 seconds, # 3 Niamh Rothwell’s Be Serious Too (N. Rothwell 28.97 seconds, # 4 Judy Murphy’s Tullyoran Magic (A. Dooley) 30.20 seconds, # 5 Noleen Kieran’s Echo Island (R. Kieran) 34.10 seconds, # 6 Siobhan Dunne’s Tennyson Legend (T. Dunne) 34.40 seconds.

1.10m class: # 1 Andrew Byrne’s Hunters Lodge Puissance (A. Byrne) 22.98 seconds, # 2 Eleanora Cunningham’s Holly Balloo (E. Cunningham) 28.55 seconds, # 3 Niamh Rothwell’s Be Serious Too (N. Rothwell) 29.10 seconds, # 4 Sarah Kilpatrick’s Roc Tredudon (S. Kilpatrick) 29.15 seconds, # 5 Carol Armstrong’s Cornascriebe Cava Diamond (C. Armstrong) 30.15 seconds, # 6 J. Attley’s Toscana (J. Floody) 32.39 seconds.

1.20m: # 1 # 1 Maura Counihan’s Killerisk Minnie (M. Counihan) 36.66 seconds, # 2 Andrew Burns’ Hunters Lodge Puissance (A. Burns) 36.70 seconds, # 3 Carol Armstrong’s Cornascriebe Cava Diamond (C. Armstrong) 37.49 seconds, # 4 Patricia Mc Connon’s Zinniz Roundthorn (R. Newell) 37.93 seconds, # 5 Olive Anderson’s Zack (V. Anderson) 38.06 seconds, # 6 Eileen Duggan’s Bronson De Reve (J. Floody) 38.89 seconds.

1.30m (S) O’ Reillys Wholesalers Newry sponsored HSI / Bluegrass Spring Tour Grand Prix: # 1 Linzi Johnston’s Uptown Girl (D. Coyle) 40.71 seconds, # 2 Amanda Dalm’s Unique (S. Dalm) 42.38 seconds, # 3 Cormac Mc Elroy’s Special Leap (D. Coyle) four faults, 36.72 seconds, # 4 Tara Dunne’s Titania B (T. Dunne) four faults, 43.85 seconds, # 5 Kieran Cahill’s Oakpark High Flyer (D. Mc Connell) eight faults 40.59 seconds, # 6 Amanda Dalm’s Valliant (S. Dalm)first round, four faults, 67.94 seconds, # 7 Olive Anderson’s Zack (V. Anderson)first round four faults 68 seconds, # 8 Paula Rafter’s PMR Rehy Irish All Star (J. Floody)first round, four faults 70.69 seconds.

Ravensdale Lodge offers world class facilities at unbeatable value for money. For further information on these or any forthcoming events, tuition, treks / hacks, facility hire, advertising or sponsorship opportunities please contact Ravensdale Lodge on + 353 (0) 42 9371034, + 353 (0) 87 2306603, email info@ravensdalelodge.com or log on to www.ravensdalelodge.com. Follow us on facebook and twitter.

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