Derby Fever at Connell Hill

Sunday at Connell Hill was a most electrifying day as competitors arrived, from early morning, raring to jump ‘Derby’ tracks set in the fabulous outdoor arena.  The dazzling tracks, a combination of showing jumping, working hunter and portable cross country fences, demanded controlled skilful riding with fast forward thinking to negotiate turns.  Derby ‘fever’ set in as everyone became involved cheering and clapping making this show a huge fun-filled day with enjoyable competition as family and friends witnessed amazing style and agility.  This action packed day kicked-off with the 60 cm class as competitors energetically jumped setting the standard for the day which saw Ross Mowbray on ‘Miller Hill Girl’ jump an outstanding round with perfectly time strides to claim first place with ladies Eileen Carlin on ‘MC Flash Harry’ and Elle Johnston on ‘Dapple’ pick up a most well deserved equal second.  The 70 cm challenge was set and competitors enthusiastically jumped eager to qualify for the jump off and as Erin Dunseath set sail on ‘Maddie’ took the honours of first place pushing Maeve Carlin into second on ‘Cinders’ and Claire Black into third on ‘Millie’.  And as the course was adjusted for the 80 cm class competitors patiently awaited their chance to take the challenge which saw Lindsey Cameron take control winning poll position on ‘Jess’ and again in the placings, Erin Dunseath second on ‘Maddie’ with Natasha McKernon picking up third on ‘Star Statiz’ and Emma Taylor fourth on DJ.  The 90 cm challenge then saw riders make intricate turns and cut corners in a bid to shave a fraction of a second off the clock which saw Grace Doherty zoom past the finish post to claim first place on ‘Sunny’ with Denis O’Brien claiming second on ‘Killcurry Liberos Flight’.  This captivating day continued to ooze with sensational excitement and all too soon the final challenge, the 1.0 m class, was set and competitors gave spectators some real edge of the seat moments with Helen Pearson-Murray claiming victory on ‘Daisy’, Jane Kealey jubilantly taking second on ‘Romeo’ and Laura Gordon a very worthy third on ‘Jake’.

Well done to everyone.  Connell Hill would like to thank competitors, not forgetting your grooms, without whom the show would not have been the enjoyable successful day it was and hope to see you all back in the not too distant future.

RESULTS

60 cm:  1^st Ross Mowbray – Miller Hill Girl, =2^nd Eileen Carlin – MC Flash Harry, Elle Johnston – Dapple

70 cm:  1^st Erin Dunseath – Maddie, 2^nd Maeve Carlin – Cinders, 3^rd Claire Black – Millie, 4^th Sophie Clugston – Buzz, 5^th Emma Taylor – DJ

80 cm:  1^st Lindsey Cameron – Jess, 2^nd Erin Dunseath – Maddie, 3^rd Natasha McKernon – Star Statiz, 4^th Emma Taylor – DJ

90 cm:  1^st Grace Doherty – Sunny, 2^nd Denis O’Brien – Killcurry Liberos Flight, 3^rd Jodie Creighton – Jodie, 4^th Jane Kealey – Romeo, 5^th Helen Pearson-Murray – Molly, 6^th Ryan Stewart – Mindy

1.0   m:  1^st Helen Pearson-Murray – Daisy, 2^nd Jane Kealey – Romeo, 3^rd Laura Gordon – Jake

Tags: connell hill, featured, full-image, show jumping

Category: News, Other, Results, Show Jumping