Omagh RDA triumph at Regional Championships
Group Chairperson, Emma-Jayne Fowler with riders Naomi Connell and Grace McSorley. Also in the picture is Naomi’s mum Leigh Connell :Henry Doggart Photography
April certainly was as successful month for the Omagh Group of Riding for Disabled and its rides, with dominance they secured qualification to the National Championships at the start of April at the Regional Show Jumping Championships; and now at the end of the month the group’s run of good fortune continued at the Regional Dressage Championships where further qualifications were secured for 5 additional riders.
Held for the first time in the spacious surroundings of The Meadows Equestrian Centre, Lurgan, groups from all parts of the province competed in many different competitions throughout the day.
In the Championship Dressage Arena, under the skilful eye of Judge Alison Mastin Moore, Omagh gathered many red rosettes in a number of classes. Qualification was granted for Fermanagh rider, Zoe O’Malley and her skewbald mare ‘Lucy K’ in the Grade III class; Drumlegagh rider and RDA instructor Louise Bogle in both Grade I-V Walk Trot and Walk Trot Canter Tests on board ‘Belladonna’; Victoria Bridge native Lucy Smyth in the Grade I-V Walk Only with Monaveen Jodie, as well as further qualification for Naomi Connell, Grace McSorley and Gavin Forsythe following their earlier successes in the Show Jumping.
In other arenas, Omagh also collected many placings with Omagh riders taking the top honours in the Introduction to Dressage test 2 in both Junior and senior sections. Taking the junior accolade was Strabane rider Cian Arthur; and in the senior Omagh based rider Carla Priestley received the first place ribbon as well as becoming the recipient of the regional silverware as the rider with the highest score in Arena 1. Adding to the silverware was Grace McSorley who received a regional trophy for the highest placed junior in Arena 3.
In total 13 riders will now travel to the UK National Championships in July they are:
Zoe O’Malley (Dressage), Louise Bogle (Dressage), Lucy Smyth (Dressage), Grace McSorley (Show Jumping and Dressage), Gavin Forsythe (Show Jumping and Dressage), Naomi Connell (Show Jumping and Dressage), Carla Priestley (Countryside Challenge), Hannah Garrity (Countryside Challenge), Cian Arthur (Show Jumping), Jack Armstrong (Show Jumping), Joshua Gracey (Show Jumping), Jordan Crossan (Show Jumping) and Emma Armstrong (Show Jumping).
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- Rider and Instructor Louise Bogle with ‘Belladonna’ whilst competing at the RDA Dressage Championships at the Meadows: Henry Doggart Photography
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- Parents of Louise and Gavin help prepare ‘Into the Blue’ as part of the Omagh Team at the recent RDA NI Dressage competiton at the Meadows: Henry Doggart Photography
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- Omagh Rider and Fermanagh Resident Zoe O’Malley with her Horse Lucy K at the RDA NI Dressage Championships: Henry Doggart Photography
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- Omagh RDA Winning Crafters who’s works will be displayed at the UK National Championships this summer (L-R) Hannah Garrity, Grace McSorley, Fiona Kendrick (National Rep), Lucy Smyth and Gavin Forsyth: Henry Doggart Photography
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- Omagh RDA rider Carla Priestley being presented with her salver from RDA National Championships Secretary Fiona Kendrick: Henry Doggart Photography
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- Group Chairperson, Emma-Jayne Fowler with riders Naomi Connell and Grace McSorley. Also in the picture is Naomi’s mum Leigh Connell: Henry Doggart Photography
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- Cian Arthur being congratulated by his mum Geraldine following his win at RDA NI Dressage at the Meadows: Henry Doggart Photography
