Shannon is top of the class at The Meadows
It was certainly a carnival day at The Meadows on Saturday when Iveagh Showjumpers played host to a round of RUAS Qualifiers. The reputation of the facilities at The Meadows Equestrian Centre has spread, resulting in competitors travelling from far and wide to experience the excellent surface, great courses and plenty of sunshine!
There were seven qualifying places in each of the four classes and competitors had to work really hard to secure the top placings and the coveted ‘passports’ to the new venue at Balmoral Park.
The Amateur class was first to go with 55 starters. With 20 of those having a clear first round, it was fast and furious in the jump-off. In the end, the class was won by a very cool headed combination, Dean Cotton and his own 11 year old gelding, Coolda Castaway, who stopped the clock almost 1.5 seconds ahead of second placed Lisa Spratt riding Harper’s Diamond.
Enniskillen’s Catherine Thornton secured victory in the 5 year old class on Galway Bay Easy Touch, a gelding owned jointly by Catherine and Alan Robertson, sired by Prince Des Vaux out of a Touch Stone dam. They had almost a one second margin over Tom Hearne who claimed both second and third spots on mares owned by Mary McAllistair and Ryan O’Neill.
There was an impressive line-up of almost 40 starters in the 6/7 year old class where James Hogg topped the leader board for the second year in a row – this time on his and Edgar Hogg’s Therapeutic – a mare by Ard VDL Douglas out of a Western Promise dam. This combination had already qualified. James also took 2nd place in the class on another Ard VDL Douglas protégé, Always on My Mind.
Light was fading fast for the final qualifying class, the 1.30m but the efficiency of the starter ensured that the competition was finished before darkness descended. It was a class where glory went to the Young Riders of our region. They delivered the only two double clears of the competition. Shannon Mackenzie from Randalstown took the top spot with her mother’s Heartbreaker-sired gelding, Peyroux while Luke Campbell finished in runner-up spot on David Campbell’s Derryinver Luxury cruise, an eight year old stallion by Lux Z out of a Cruising mare.
Meantime, Arena two was also kept busy with over 170 entries spanning classes from 90cms through to1.20m. A high standard of jumping was maintained throughout and both arenas finished around 8pm.
Iveagh Showjumpers would like to thank the McCusker family for the use of the superb facilities at The Meadows as well as all the Officials who helped on the day. Thanks, too, to all of the competitors who supported the Show. Good Luck to all those who will be taking on the challenge of Balmoral next month.
Photographs were taken by Lawrence and Heather McKenzie and can be viewed on their website, www.lawrencemckenzie.com
Meantime, registered jumping continues at the Meadows each Saturday starting at 9.30am. Enquiries to Winnie on 07846353391.
Full Results
RUAS Qualifiers – Arena 1
Amateurs
1. Dean Cotton, Coolda Castaway 2. Lisa Spratt, Harpers Diamond 3. Amy Munroe, Forthill Sharamai 4. Martin Wilson, Hermes Diamond 5. Jane Allen, Cavalier Andy 6. Kenneth Rush, Arbois O 7. Philip White, Fabregas
5 Year Old
1. Catherine Thornton, Galway Bay Easy Touch 2. Tom Hearne, Rock on Ruby 3. Tom Herne, Hermes Royale 4. Charlene Clingan, Ardtana Flash Forward 5. Catherine Robinson, Lougherne Built To Last 6. Lucy Gibson, Alda Luck 7. Tom Hearne, Casimira
6/7 Year Old
1. James Hogg, Therapeutic 2. James Hogg, Always on my Mind 3. Dermott Lennon, Calgot Hero 4. Richard Smyth, Somme 5. Zoe Woods, Without Permission 6. Simon Scott, Carnonybridge Diva 7. Shannon Mackenzie, Bens Lady Lux 8. Luke Campbell, Trebra Douglas
1.30m
1. Shannon Mackenzie, Peyroux 2. Luke Campbell, Deryinver Luxury Cruise 3. Carol Armstrong, Cornascriebe Cava Diamond 4. Eric Smyth, Tullybroom Cruise Hill 5. Kirsty Dunlop, C U 2 6. Frank Curran, I Kan 7. Tracey Gallagher, Any Questions
Arena 2
90cms
1= Stephen Gibson, Cavalier Knight, Rachel McKimmon, Daenerys, Catherine Thornton, Cassan, David Conlon, Hanslough, Catherine Thornton, Graf Balouprint, Susanna McQuade, Finod Fear, Eileen Duggan, Libero Flight, Gerard Green, MMS Camilla, Lionel Johnston, The Risk, James Hogg, Knights Bridge, Rachel Armstrong, Iris McCrea, Gerard Green, Tonagh Firefox, Helen Pearson-Murray, I Aint No Lady, Liam McKee, Dundee, Gabriel Tunney, Little Beach, Debbie Newberry, Mullaghdrin Diamond Day, James Hogg, Toast, Nadine Arthur, Holy Joe, Rachel Armstrong, Lauras Echo, Peter Smyth, Beach Station
1m
1= Claire Conlon, Connamore, Aimee McKenna, Patch Mills Sportsman, Susanna McQuade, Finod Fear, Laura Phelan, Quent Veldhock, Stephen McManus, Red Bird Point, Mary McLeigh, Dunnanew Sunset, Laura Keery, Ferro Diamond, Stephen Gibson, Top Less, Amy O’Hare, Kane Flight, Rachel Armstrong, Laura’s Echo, Christine Cosgrove, Saphira, Mary Barron, Lates Magic, Claire O’Hare, Lisfarriter J, Kelda Morgan, Fidelio Vant Heike, Lynne Russell, Salsa, Lisa Patterson, Quick Smart, Richard Smyth, Ping Ball, Gavin Conlon, Alfred K, Rachel Brown, Lissyegan Cruise Dream, Brendan McSorley, Quarry Crest Clover, Kirsten Farr, Lovely Ruby, Jennifer Leeper, Pialotta, Tracey Gallagher, Portlough Clover, David Mulrine, Admiran Skipee, Ellen McCollum, Western Annie, Jonathan Goodie, King of Carrickdalison, Jaymie Smyth, Poppy Du Carel
1.10m
1= Hannah Joyce, Van Clover, Alison Irwin, Altaskin Buddy, Helen Pearson-Murray, I Aint No Tinker, Claire O’Hara, Captain Oates, Danielle Davison, Seapatrick Savanna Clover, Anita Doherty, Neat Kaleidoscope, Tara Dunne, Javas Keltic Mist, Natasha Adrain, Univar, Sophie Adrain, Diamond Lux, Sarah Kilpatrick, Georgies Star, Peter Smyth, Admiran Cassio, Shane McCloskey, Syrana, Kirsten Farr, Lovely Ruby, Joanne McKinney, Seaview Lass, Amy O’Hare, Warlady, Clare Sloan, Rose of Connaught, Jonathan Goodie, King of Carrickdawson, Jaymie Smyth, Charlton Chloe, James Bleekes, Sligo Better Value
1.20m
1= Sarah Kilpatrick, Roc Tredudon, Gareth Nethercote, Premier KD Clover, Harvey Smith, Elamo Bewitched
Category: News, Results, Show Jumping
