Winter Working Hunter League Storms Ahead at Gransha
L to R Corinne Robb with competitors in open starter stakes 2nd Ellen Douglas, Jamie and sponsor Vicky Cunningham from HorseWorld NI and winner Hannah Bayfield, Ruby
Gransha Equestrian Centre has completed the fifth round of its Horse and Pony Winter Working Hunter League sponsored by HorseWorld NI. The events, held over Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th January were well attended, despite the strong winds and chilly conditions.
The weekend began with the horse league, judged by Rebecca Horan, with scribe Caitlin McKechnie. Simon Jackson designed and built the course. Coffee Angels’ Jackie Watson and Justin South kept spectators and riders supplied with hot chocolate and coffees throughout the shows.
Performance 70s L to R judge Corinne Robb 1st Abbie Cummisky, Maximilo, 2nd Sophie Ennis, William, 3rd Ashleigh Saunderson, Stuart Little, 4th Josh Getty, 5th Stella Black, Dusty Moon
Raven Craig won the first class of the weekend on Burren Bridge II. Second place in the Performance 70cm went to Karina McVeigh on Midnight Reflection, with Emma Jackson coming third on Clover.
Emma went on to dominate the 4-year-old Working Hunter class, by winning on George and taking second place on Darcy. Gwen Scott came third on Ardnacashel Cozmo, and followed this by winning the novice Working Hunter 70cm class on Ardnacashel Castana. Jennifer Moore took second place on Oliver and Elaine Gardner came in third on Crunchie.
The Coloured Working Hunter 80cm class went to Zoe Bell on Hefferons Half Pint, followed by Kate Campbell riding Glen. Kirsty Chambers won the Open Working Hunter 80cm class on George. Lucy Adams rode Ben Hymn to second place, and Michelle McConnell took third prize on Bob.
At the half way point in the day, Claire Williams secured first place in the Novice Small Working Hunter 80cm class on Mick. Kate Campbell came second on Glen, and Suzanne Cobain piloted Elsa to third place.
right to left Open cradle stakes winner Chestnut pony Kilvey Joker, Lauren Taylor, 2nd Ballymac Girl, Zara Wood, 3rd Ruby, Hannah Bayfield, 4th Poppet, Lauren McGlennon with judge Corinne Robb
Ardnacashel Castana then provided another win for Gwen Scott in the Irish Draught Working Hunter 90cm class, and Victoria Clarke won the Novice Working Hunter 90cm contest on Diamond Queen.
Emma Jackson placed again in the Open Small Working Hunter 90cm riding Come What May. She was followed by Janice Reddy on La Petit Alzon and Holly Hayes came third riding Frenchfort Robuck.
Tod was the horse to beat in the Open Working Hunter 90cm, piloted by Emma Jackson. Second position went to Victoria Clarke on Embarcadero, with Michelle McConnell placing third again on Bob.
The Open Working Hunter 1m class proved to be the most popular of the day, with Ashleigh Rea coming out ahead on Armani. Emma Jackson rode Come What May into second place, then secured third on Billy.
Emma rounded off the day by winning the Open Working Hunter 1.1m on Amy B, with Ashleigh and Armani a close second.
Sundays HorseWorld NI Pony Working Hunter League was judged by sisters Corrine and Michelle Robb, who handed over to Gransha’s Courtney Stuart for the closing classes.
Lucy Donnan opened the show by winning the Cross Pole class on Donny Darko, with Amy Shilladay placing second on Quicksilver Roxi. The First Ridden 40cm went to Ellen Douglas on Jamie. Lauren Taylor rode Kilvey Joker to second place, and Freya McClenaghan came third.
Lauren went on to win the Open Cradle Stake 50cm, followed by Zara Wood on Ballymac Girl and Hannah Bayfield on Ruby. Hannah then piloted Ruby to first place in the M & M not exceeding 122cm (60cm) class. She also came out on top in one of the largest classes of the day, the Open Starter Stakes 65cm. Ellen Douglas took home the blue ribbon in the 65cm with her pony Jamie, and Lucy Kayes placed third on Bronelli Winston.
Judges commented on how high the standards were throughout the day, particularly in this and the other widely contested class, the Performance Hunter 70cm, making it more challenging for them to rank the competitors. The Performance class went to Abby Cummisky on Maximilo, followed by Sophie Ennis on Williams, and Ashleigh Saunderson riding Stuart Little. Abby went on to win the Novice 133 Working Hunter 80cm class.
First place in the M & M Over 122, but not exceeding 138cm (80cm) went to Cerys Howell on Captain Morgan. Phoebe Beaumont and Edie took second place, and Ashleigh Saunderson placed again on Stuart Little. Cerys and Captain Morgan then took the red ribbon in the Open 133 Working Hunter 90cm class.
Another popular round was the Performance Hunter 90cm, which went to Lucy Cunningham on Paddy, followed by Niamh Martin on Mix ‘n’ Match. Emma Jackson placed third on Owen, but went on to pilot him to first place in the M & M Over 138cm (90cm) class. Katie McKee came second on Moyans Dundeal, and Cerys Howell rode Mr Murphy to third place.
Shannon Cruthers won the Novice 143 Working Hunter 90cm class on Foxy Roxy, Sophie Ennis placed second again on William, and Cerys Howell came third on Alfie. The Open 143 Working Hunter 1m class was won by Lucy Cunningham riding Harvey. She also took third place on Paddy, with the blue rosette going to Katie McKee on Mayans Dundeal.
Cerys Howell closed the day by winning the last two classes, the Novice 153 Working Hunter 1m, and the Open 153 Working Hunter 1.1m. Second place in the 1m class went to Niamh Martin and Mix ‘n’ Match.
The penultimate round of the HorseWorld NI Winter Working Hunter League will take place in February, with horses competing on Saturday 14th, and ponies on Sunday 15th.
Next Saturday 17th January, Gransha will be hosting the fifth round of the Inter Schools Show Jumping League. For those wanting a change of pace on Sunday 18th, Gransha will also be hosting the 5th round of the Dressage League.
