Western Region do Well at National Dressage Championships

The National Dressage Championships were held in Mullingar Equestrian Centre on Sunday August 17th and the Western Region was very well represented with competitors taking part in all grades of competition from Primary up to Advanced Open.

In the Primary Championship Marlena Klonowsca from West Coast RC riding Tailors Magical Tale was placed 5th.

In the Advanced Primary Championship Dalysgrove RC’s Donna Murray on  Kiko Temple rode two superb tests to claim the Advanced Primary Championship Title for the West.

In the Advanced Open Invitational Championship Dalysgrove RC were again in the ribbons with Elaine Murphy on Eurisco riding two lovely tests to finish 2nd, while Patricia Warren of Donegal Gaeltacht finished 5th with Burinex.

In the non championship classes Niamh Macken of Ballinasloe RC put in a fantastic performance in the Intermediate class on Captain Smirnoff to finish 3rd, this result was all the more remarkable as this was their return to competition after an injury forced them to have a several month break.

In the Team Championship the Dalysgrove RC team of Elaine Murphy on Nino Manoso, Kevin Clogher on Sin E Sham, Donna Murray on Kiko Temple & Christine Rohan on Sweet Callows Gale finished in 5th place.

Benbulben do well at RDS

On Sunday August 10th a team from Benbulben RC consisting of Gavin Keenan on Ardgaineen Waltzer, Rachel Burke on Rookery Blue, Louise O’Hara on Seamus of Annaghmore, Vanessa McDonald on Vanessas Pride & their Chef d’Equipe Mary Lang reresented the Western Region at the AIRC Team Show Jumping Championships in the RDS.

The team was impeccably turned out and even the torrential rain that fell throughout the competition couldn’t take from the immaculate turnout of both horses & riders and they were declared the Best Turned Out Team of the competition.

The weather conditions were less than favourable, but this didn’t deter Benbulben who all jumped superbly to finish the first round on a total of 4 faults which put them in joint 2nd place with 3 other teams, just behind Clonshire RC who were the only team to finish the 1st round on 0 faults.

In the second round it was still all to play for, especially with the shock elimination of one of the Clonshire riders. Some lovely jumping from the Benbulben team seen them finish round 2 with just another 4 faults to add giving them a total of 8 faults which seen them finish in 3rd place overall.

Good Luck Benbulben in the RDS

On Sunday August 10th Benbulben Riding Club will represent the Western Region in the Horseware Team Show Jumping Championship at the RDS. We would lke to wish the team of Gavin Keenan on Ardgaineen Waltzer, Rachel Burke on Rookery Blue, Louise O’Hara on Seamus of Annaghmore, Vanessa McDonald on Vanessas Pride & their Chef d’Equipe Mary Lang the very best of luck!

Benbulben RC Team Vanessa McDonald (Vanessas Pride), Rachel Burke (Rookery Blue), Gavin Keenan (Ardgaineen Waltzer) & Louise O’Hara (Seamus of Annaghmore)