Gransha hosts penultimate leg of working hunter league

Gransha Equestrian Centre held the fifth round of its Horse and Pony Winter Working Hunter League this weekend 14^th and 15^th February. It was the penultimate in the series sponsored by HorseWorld NI. Judges Maureen and Albert Lowry and Violet Jackson assessed the riders over a course designed and built by Simon Jackson.

The weekend kicked off with the horse league and the 70cm Performance class. Rosie Paterson claimed the first red rosette on Home Grown Rolex, followed by Judith Bankhead on Polly and Emma Jackson riding Hugh. Emma went on to win the 4-year-old Working Hunter class on George. Carolyn Avery came second on Emperor’s Reflection.

First place in the Novice Working Hunter 70cm also went to Emma Jackson, this time riding Thor. Victoria Clarke came second on Orlando, and Rosie Paterson placed again on Home Grown Rolex. Victoria Clarke took first place in the Coloured Working Hunter class riding Knockaraha Gypsy. Diane McCully came second on Mineview Major Tom, and third place went to Laura McArthur on Franklyn.

The Open Working Hunter 80cm class proved to be very popular, with Lucy Adams fighting off the competition to take first place on Ben.  Judith Graham came second on Be My Artist, and Courtney Stuart came third riding Mocking Bird. Courtney went on to take the red rosette in the Novice Small Working Hunter 80cm class riding Interstat Sunrise. She was followed by Ciara Gilroy on Killaan Blue and Kerry Finlay on Bolero.

Jenny Auld won the Irish Draught Working Hunter 90cm class riding Tia, marking the mid-point in the day. Second place went to Seamsus Rodgers and Tullys Rebel. Lucy Adams and Ben scored their second win in the Novice Working Hunter 90cm, followed by Courtney Stuart riding Interstat Sunrise, and Clare Hunter on Denis.

Courtney went on to win the Open Small Working Horse 90cm with the same partnership. Jenny Auld and Tia placed joint second with Niomi Shields and PJ. Emma Jackson rode Henry to a win in the Open Working Hunter 90cm class. Katherine Henderson came second on Dixonsfern, and Jazmin Vollands took third place on Mo Chara Nua.

The Novice Working Hunter 1m class went to Gwen Scott on George, with Katherine Henderson placing second again on Dixonsfern. Vicky Teuton and Waterstone took the red rosette for the Open Working Hunter 1m, while Clare Hunter piloted Smudge to second place, and Camella McDowell brought home third place on Jeannie. Camella rounded off the day by winning the final class, the Open Working Hunter 1.10m. Vicky Teuton came second on Shannaghmore, and third on Waterstone.

Sunday saw the continuation of the pony league, beginning with a win for Lucy Donan riding Donny Darko in the cross pole class  Cillian Torrens claimed 2^nd position with his pony Midnight Skywalker.  Lucys’ sister Hannah Donan partnered her new pony Lady Zara to a very commendable 3^rd place.

The first ridden and cradle stakes classes were dominated by Zara Wood and the very versatile Ballymac Girl taking first place in both.  The open starter stakes class saw the largest entry of the day with 9 combinations all battling for the top spot.  In the end the red ribbon went to the gorgeous chestnut pony Bronnelie Winston ridden by Lucy Kayes.  Hot on Lucys’ heels were Josh Geddy and Autumn Surprise.  Ellen Douglas and Jamie jumped a smashing round to take 3^rd place.  Another popular class was the 70cm performance, this time marks are awarded for each jumping effort and also for the horses’ way of going.  Impressing the judges this time was Ashleigh Saunderson with her pony Stuart Little.  Josh Geddy kept up his consistent form by notching up another 2^nd place while Sophie Dunlop and Spot took 3^rd place.  Maximilo and Abbie Cummisky took the top spot in the novice 133cm WH ahead of Megan Houston and Painted Lady  and Sophie McCormick and Good Luck Charlie.  Katie McKee and her mount Fair Lad received a red rosette in the  second of the M&M classes relegating Ashleigh Saunderson and Stuart Little into 2^nd and Lucy Cunningham and Divinchi into 3^rd.  Abbie Cummisky continued her good form with Maximilo winning the open 133cm WH.  Lucy Savage and Maggie had a great day winning the 90cm performance and taking 3^rd in the open 153cm WH.

Next it was the turn of the large M&Ms.  All 3 ponies jumped great rounds and the overall results were very close.  Just nudging ahead of the rest was Hugh Douglas’ lovely dun Connemara Hank ridden by Emma Jackson.  Sasha Bloch and her young pony Berti were 2^nd just ahead of Sophie Truesdale and Beachhall Star.

Rounding off the day were two of our most experienced pony riders on the circuit Lucy Cunningham and Cerys Howell battling their way to the top spot in the 143cm and 153cm classes.  Lucy took 1^st and 2^nd place in the 143cm open with Paddy and Harvey while Cerys had to settle for 3^rd with Alfie.  In the novice 153cm class it was Lucy winning again this time with Willow while Cerys took 2^nd with Lulu.  Finally the tables turned in the 153cm open with Cerys winning on Lulu and Lucy claiming 2^nd on Willow.

The final weekend of the HorseWorld NI Working Hunter League will be held on Saturday 14^th and Sunday 15^th March.  These finals promise to be exciting weekends with fantastic prizes being awarded to the most consistent partnerships throughout the winter months. For more details go to www.granshaequestrian.co.uk

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