The countdown is on at Ravensdale Lodge
Show organisers at Ravensdale Lodge have used the seasonal break to good effect in preparation for the new
season with all arenas having work carried out on them in addition to the annual “spring clean” at the centre.
Photo: Niall Connolly.
With Christmas and New Year now a distant memory as everything returns to normality after the seasonal break, show organisers at Ravensdale Lodge are applying the finishing touches in advance of the commencement of the 2015 season in a week’s time. All arenas have been worked on over the holiday period and the annual “spring clean” is nearing completion.
It is hoped to have a few new fences and arena dressing in place for the new season which commences on Thursday 22nd January with week one of four indoor horse training days where there will be six classes from 80cm to 1.30m and a start time of 11am. This will be followed by the first of the indoor horse & pony training league dates on Friday 23rd January when the usual classes from X poles to 1.10m have a start time of 5.30pm. Indoor arena eventing makes its return on Saturday 24th January from 2pm for the 70cm class, 3pm for the 85cm class and 4pm for the 1m class.
Education & training is a big part of the early season picture at Ravensdale Lodge as riders make use of the events and facilities on offer to school for shows such as the Balmoral Young Event Horse qualifier which will be held at
Ravensdale Lodge on 7th April. Photo: Niall Connolly.
This popular mix of show jumps and portable cross-country fences is seen by many as an ideal training ground to gain valuable experience for young horses who will take on the various Young Event Horse qualifiers throughout the spring, the first Balmoral Young Event Horse qualifier being scheduled at Ravensdale Lodge on Tuesday 7th April . It is also a great way to put into practice the training methods learned at the various post Christmas training clinics that have been running around the country.
Another competition which should be of interest to event riders in preparation for the new season is the indoor dressage league which starts on Sunday 25th January from 2pm. The weekly tests can be found on the Ravensdale Lodge website and entries can be made right up until 9am on the Friday before competition which gives everyone a chance to make their mind up right to the last moment. SJI registered indoor leagues for horses & ponies commence with two weeks of Sunday shows on Sunday 1st & 8th of February before returning to their usual Thursday slot on 19th February.
While being competitive may be the main focus of many riders, combinations also appreciate the time
to relax and have fun with the facilities and range of competitions on offer at Ravensdale Lodge.
Photo: Niall Connolly.
These two Sunday shows are there to accommodate anyone who want to jump at Ravensdale in advance of the Pony Spring Tour show due to be held at the centre on Saturday 14th February. There will be a start time of 11am for the horse classes which go from 80cm to 1.30m while the usual pony classes will follow after the horses but not before 2pm.
The main emphasis of the early part of the season at Ravensdale Lodge is training with most shows being geared towards preparation for the bigger shows which are to follow. Of course preparation is only one aspect of the bigger picture which is to have fun and enjoy the superb indoor facilities, great surfaces and courses which are always on hand at Ravensdale Lodge.
So whether you are gearing up for the professional show jumping or event season or a leisure rider looking for some not so serious sport then there is sure to be something to suit you on the 2015 indoor winter / spring schedule of events at Ravensdale Lodge.
Category: Dressage, Eventing, News, Other, Show Jumping
