The 2014 competition season as usual started off with the Saoirse Saddlery Dressage League hosted by Dalysgrove RC in Creagh Equestrian Centre.
The winners of this were:
Primary
1st – John Kelehen & Lelani of Corrib RC
2nd – Christine Rohan & Sweet Callows Gale of Dalysgrove RC
3rd – Assumpta Shannon & Dandy’s Boy of South Roscommon RC
4th – Carol Gaffney & Dandy’s Boy of South Roscommon RC
5th – Assumpta Shannon & Bailey of South Roscommon RC
6th – Geraldine Donouhue & Lucky Cosmo of Castle Carraig RC
Advanced Primary
1st – Donna Murray & Kikos Temple of Dalysgrove RC
2nd – Donna Murray & Temple Lady of Dalysgrove RC
3rd – Evelyn Coyne & Temple Troy of Corrib RC
4th – Fiona Fenton & Dandy’s Boy of South Roscommon RC
5th – Mary McEntee & Carlough Match of Mosstown RC
6th – Tony White & Casper of Dalysgrove RC
Intermediate
1st – Ximena Lister & Max of West Coast RC and Kevin Clogher & Sin e Sham of Dalysgrove RC
3rd – Valerie Asple & Argentum A of Corrib RC
4th – Bernadette Flaherty& Cheeky La Belle of Corrib RC
5th – Paul Naughton & Temple Lady of Dalysgrove RC
6th – Ximena Lister & Coco of West Coast RC
Advanced Intermediate
1st – Tracy Murphy & Nino Manoso of Dalysgrove RC
2nd – Jean O’Connor & Leilani of Corrib RC
3rd – Grainne Kelly & Gilly from the Block of Springmount RC
4th – Gillian Dunlop & Little Mishap of Springmount RC and Georgie Spain & Shin e Sham of Dalysgrove RC
6th – Georgie Spain & Merrymountain Sassella of Dalysgrove RC
Open
1st – Mary Mitchell & Westernn May of Tonabrockey RC
2nd – Mary Mitchell & Creemully Western William of Tonabrockey RC
Advanced Open
1st – Elaine Murphy & Eurisco of Dalysgrove RC
In the North of the Region, the Donegal Clubs kicked off their season with the North West Spring Show Jumping League. The results of this were:
60cm TRAINING
1st Nicola Coxford, Inishowen
2nd Louise Edwards, Letterkenny
3rd Pamela Whyte, Inishowen
4th Lauren Griffith, Inishowen
5th Jacqueline Maudlin, Donegal Gaeltacht
PRIMARY
1st Eamon McGee, Donegal Gaeltacht
2nd Aileen Tougher, Inishowen
3rd Veronica Lafferty, Inishowen
4th Danielle Monagle, Inishowen
5th Mairead McColgan, Inishowen
6th Emer Hannaway, Inishowen
ADVANCED PRIMARY
1st Liz Cuffe, Letterkenny
2nd Lawrence Smyth, Donegal Gaeltacht
3rd Liz Potter, Donegal Gaeltacht
4th Paul Curran, Donegal Gaeltacht
5th Enda McClafferty, Letterkenny
6th Denis Kelly, Letterkenny
INTERMEDIATE
1st Anne Chambers, Letterkenny
2nd Joint – Rudy Schneider, Donegal Gaeltacht & Clodagh Barry, Inishowen
4th Carla McGinley, Donegal Gaeltacht
5th Roseleen McGinley, Donegal Gaeltacht
6th Lauren McLaughlin, Inishowen
ADVANCED INTERMEDIATE
1st Claire Cuffe, Letterkenny
2nd Nadine Gallagher, Letterkenny
3rd Damien Gallagher, Letterkenny
4th Patricia Warren, Donegal Gaeltacht
5th Rosaleen Harkin, Donegal Gaeltacht
6th Emily Schneider, Donegal Gaeltacht
Proceeds from the Final were in aid of Aware and a cheque for €750 was presented to Tanya and Cecil Jacob on behalf of the participating clubs.
The Western Region had 4 nominees for the Lancelot Awards, which were presented folowing Annual General Meeting of the Association of Irish Riding Clubs on Saturday 15th February 2014 at Racket Hall Country House, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.
Tynagh RC were nominated for Club of the Year, Thomas Daniels of Tynagh RC was nominated for Club Member of the Year, Christine McWillams of Corrib RC was nominated for Secretary of the Year & Paul Hughes of Tonabrockey RC was nominated for Person of the Year.
Well done to all!
Round Tower RC held two very successful Training Shows in River View Stables, Crossmolina, Co. Mayo. These gave riders the oppertunity to jump their show-jumping course under the watchful eye of a Padraic Corcoran & get expert advice on how to improve their rounds. Riders were also giver the chance to ride a Dressage test and get personal feedback from the judge with the opportunity to re-ride lowest scoring movements to improve dressage score.
In March & April we had the West Clubs Derby & Dressage League, where the clubs in the region all came together to host 3 shows. This League was sponsored by Berney Saddley with beautiful prizes on offer for the winners in the final.
The AIRC National Hunter Trials took place on Sunday April 6th at Flowerhill and as usual the Western Region was very well represented and successful across all grades.
In the Advanced Primary Pairs Dalysgrove duo Donna Murray on Kiko Temple & John Miland on Huntingfield Holly claimed 2nd spot.
In the Advanced Primary Championship Liz Potter & Clyde were 4th for Donegal Gaeltacht, Benbulbens Louise Hamilton & Samara Star were 5th while Liam Stapleton of Tynagh was 6th on Lady Tessa.
In the Intermediate Pairs Anne Chambers on Kiltown Miss Molly & Keary Smith on Arther took top spot for Letterkenny, Tir Conaill’s Lorraine Gillespie on Diamond Lillie were 2nd paired with Lisa Kennedy of Killossery on Holly Park Gold, while Benbulben took the next 2 placings with Joanna Kearns on West Coast Dreamer & Katy Mc Aleenan on Larkhill Rose in 3rd place and mother & daughter duo Anna Burke on Rookery Blue & Avril Burke on Rookery Apache in 4th, another Letterkenny pair Damien Gallagher on Drumnacart Lass & Francis Mc Nicholl on Trial and Error came 5th.
In the Intermediate Championship Tynagh’s Aisling Daniels on Brogue Shelly finished 2nd while Corribs Bernadette Flaherty was 6th with Cheeky La Belle.
In the Mixed Pairs class the Donegal Gaeltacht pairing of John Mc Daid on Sionnach and Laura Schneider on Chloe Lass came 4th.
Gerry Kyne of Corrib took 2nd place in the Advanced Intermediate Championship on The Real Droopys, while in the Open Championship Benbulbens Brendan Dolan on Action Man II took the honours and Laura Schneider on Chloe Lass claimed the Advanced Open Championship for Donegal Gaeltacht.
On Sunday April 27th Letterkenny RC hosted the North West Team Show Jumpng & Dressage Challenge. As usual this proved to be a very popular event and Donegal Gaeltacht riders were really on form claiming the honours in both sections.
Team Show Jumping
1st Donegal Gaeltacht ‘Spitfire’ (Patricia Warren, Rudy Schneider, Laurence Smith & Liz Potter)
2nd Donegal Gaeltacht ‘Pink Ladies’ (Laura Schneider, Emily Schneider, Ruth McCrossan & Paul Curran)
3rd Letterkenny ‘ The Bankers’ (Damien Gallagher, Cormac McCormac, Dawn Hyndan & Enda McClafferty)
Team Dressage
1st Donegal Gaeltacht ‘Drama Queens’ (Patricia Warren, Laura Schneider, Ruth McCrossan & Liz Potter)
2nd Donegal Gaeltacht ‘Drama Princess’ (Emily Schneider, Rudy Schneider, Liz Potter & Ruth McCrossan)
3rd Tir Conaill ‘Tir Conals’ (Alex Deane, Mona Vial, Brenda Burke & Catherine Gallagher)
Team Spitfire from Donegal Gaeltacht RC winners of the North West Team Show Jumping Challenge L-R: Liz Potter, Rudy Schneider, Laurence Smith & Patricia Warren
This year the Western Region hosted two Masters Series Qualifers, the first was hosted by Benbulben RC in Tubberbride on May 4th, the results were as follows:
Intermediate
1st Gavin Keenan & Ardgaineen Waltzer, Benbulben RC
2nd Avril Burke & Rookery Sparkle, Benbulben RC
3rd Edwina Ruane & Tullavilla Too, Benbulben RC
4th Rachel Burke & Rookery Blue, Benbulben RC
5th Avril Burke & Rookery Apache, Benbulben RC
6th Avril Burke & Rookery Blue, Benbulben RC
Advanced Intermediate
1st Myles McGowan & Journeyman, Benbulben RC
2nd Tara Fergus Sheridan & Tirconnell River Rose, Benbulben RC
3rd John McDaid & Smithy Breeze, Donegal Gaeltacht RC
4th Seanna Kane McCaffery & Two Rivers, Benbulben RC
5th Catherine Meenaghan & Fire of Quantum, Round Tower RC
6th Gwen McDermott & Carlton Spice, Benbulben RC
Open & Advanced Open
1st Deirdre McDonald & Nisquelly de May, Benbulben RC
2nd Lizzie Naughton & Currower Girl, Round Tower RC
3rd Donna McGowan & Clover Winds, Benbulben RC
4th David Glynn & Amber Lanza, Corrib R
5th Vanessa McDonald & Vanessas Pride, Benbulben RC
The second Masters Series Qualifier in the Region was hosted by Inishowen RC on May 11th and the results are as follows:
Intermediate
1st Erica Robb & Clonigulane Lass, Inishowen RC
2nd Edwina Ruane & Tullavilla Too, Benbulben RC
3rd Leo Porter & Woodview Cool and Easy, Letterkenny RC
4th Carmel Ferry & Peppe Lad, Donegal Gaeltacht RC
5th Michael Mc Hugh & Simply Mitch, Donegal Gaeltacht RC
6th Therese Anderson & Killian Boy, Benbulben RC
Advanced Intermediate
1st Patricia Warren & Hes A Dandy, Donegal Gaeltacht RC
2nd Jodie Carr & Carraun Hill, Inishowen RC
3rd John McDaid & Smithy Breeze, Donegal Gaeltacht RC
4th Kate Mc Pherson & Mickey Finn, Inishowen RC
5th Cormack Mc Cormack & Lenamore Santa Fe, Letterkenny RC
6th Cormack Mc Cormack & Lenamore Charlotte, Letterkenny RC
On Sunday May 25th Benbulben RC hosted the Western Regional Quaifier for the A.I.R.C Team Show Jumping Championship. Twenty teams took part on the day in what proved to be a nail biting competition.
Results of the Team Show Jumping Championship Qualifier are as follows:
1st – Benbulben Team 2: Gavin Keenan & Ardnageen Waltzer, Rachel Burke & Rookery Blue, Louise O’Hara & Seamus of Annaghmore and Vanessa McDonald & Vanessas Pride
2nd – Benbulben Team 1: Anna Burke & Rookery Sparkle, Edwina O’Donnell & Tullavilla Too, Diarmuid Lang & Seamies Legacy and Deirdre McDonald & Nisqullay de May
3rd – Benbulben Team 3: Avril Burke & Rookery Apache, Melissa Monaghan & Iceford Cruise, Seanna Kane McCaffery & Two Rivers and Gwen McDermott & Carlton Spice
4th – Tynagh: Aishling Daniels & Matinee, Raymond Daniels & Barnaboy Colin, Ollie Staunton & Ben Beag and Thomas Daniels & Barnaboy Jackeen
5th – Donegal Gaeltacht Team 2: Shaun Brennan & Colourado Kid, Rudy Schneider & My Boy Boysie, Sally Mahon & Graf Landlord and Emily Schneider & Ray Lady
6th – Benbulben Team 4: Finola Murphy & Smokey Joe, Katy McAleenan & Larkhill Rose, Fiona Tansey & Cloon Silver Cloud and Brenda Perrin & Erronagh Sky
Tynagh RC finished in 4th place which secured them a place at the Wild Card Qualifier in Stradbally, unfortunately they didn’t manage to secure a place in the RDS at this.
Best Turned Out team on the day were Rossan RC: Amy McGarvey & Chamonix Supernova, Esther O’Kane & Oreo Cookie, Lynne Russell & Salsa and Evie Smith & The Sea Warrior
Benbulben RC Team Vanessa McDonald (Vanessas Pride), Rachel Burke (Rookery Blue), Gavin Keenan (Ardgaineen Waltzer) & Louise O’Hara (Seamus of Annaghmore)
The Arden Equestrian Show Jumping League took place in May & June with 3 legs hosted by South Roscommon RC, Bridge RC & Dalysgrove RC. As usual this league proved very popular with some fantastic prizes on offer for the overall winners.
The results are as follows
Primary
1st Assumpta Shannon, South Roscommon RC
2nd Iona Devon, South Roscommon RC
3rd Kelley Folan, South Roscommon RC
4th Assumpta Shannon, South Roscommon RC
5th Monica Neilsen, Corrib RC
6th Christine Rohan, Dalysgrove RC
Advanced Primary
1st Laurence Rafferty, South Roscommon RC
2nd Emma Glynn, South Roscommon RC
3rd Liam Stapleton, Tynagh RC
4th Darragh Ruane, Benbulben RC
5th Silvia Quinn, Bridge RC
6th Laura Gaffney, South Roscommon RC
Intermediate
1st Edwina Ruane, Benbulben RC
2nd Danielle Murphy, Ballinasloe RC
3rd Rachel Keogh, South Roscommon RC
4th John Miland, Dalysgrove RC
5th Jacqueline Feeley, Dalysgrove RC
6th Rachel Wollett, Ballinasloe RC
Advanced Intermediate
1st Julie Magennis, Benbulben RC
2nd Oliver Staunton, Tynagh RC
3rd Connie Noone, Ballinasloe RC
4th Ailish McLoughlin, Mosstown RC
5th Naomi Ruane, Bridge RC
6th Thomas Daniels, Tynagh RC
The Annual Riding Clubs Festival was held at Stradbally Hall Estate, Co. Laois on June 7th & 8th. A large volume of competitiors from the Western Region travelled to the festival with great success.
In the Irish Field Dressage arenas Donna Murray of Dalysgrove RC got the weekend off o a great start by winning Section 1 of the Advanced Primary Dressage on Lady Temple with a fantastic score of 79.21%, Donna also finished 5th in Section 3 riding Kiko Temple and was 4th in the Advanced Primary Final with Kiko Temple.
In the TRI Equestrian Show Jumping arenas a mixed team from the Western Region comprising of Darragh Ruane on The Guns of Dunree from Benbulben RC, Caroline Rushe on Galli from Dalysgrove RC, Lawrence Smyth on Jennys Jigsaw from Donegal Gaeltacht & Cathriona Goaley on Curra Whoopi from Springmount RC took second place.
In the Horseware Wildcard Team Show Jumping Championship Tynagh RC finished in 6th place with Aisling Daniels on Glen Ledgend, Raymond Daniels on Barnaboy Colin, Margaret Hynes on Barnaboy Colourcoded & Thomas Daniels on Barnaboy Jackeen.
In the Intermediate Individual Show Jumping Gavin Keenan on Ardgaineen Waltzer from Benbulben RC was 2nd, while Avril Burke on Rookery Apache, also from Benbulben RC was 3rd.
In the Advanced Intermediate Individual Show Jumping Donegal Gaeltacht took both 1st & 2nd with Emily Schneider on Raylady taking top spot and Patricia Warren on Hes a Dandy coming 2nd. Patricia also claimed 1st place in the Advanced Intermediate Power & Speed class with Hes a Dandy.
In the Open Power & Speed class another Donegal Gaeltacht rider was in the ribbons with Sally Mahon on Graf Landlord coming 6th, while in the Advanced Open Individual class Laura Schneider & Chloe Lass took 3rd spot for Donegal Gaeltacht.
In the final Show Jumping class on Saturday, the Vetern Riders Show Jumping Anna Burke from Benbulben RC finished 5th with Rookery Sparkle.
In the Horse Sport Ireand Showing rings Aisling Hughes from South Roscommon was 3rd in the Lightweight Hnter class with Full Set Fred.
In the Lightweight Cob class Catherine O’Sullivan on Paintwork Lad top the top spot, with Niamh Ruane & Dusky Moon from Round Tower RC in 4th and Shauna Freeney on Nic Nac from Springmount RC in 6th. Catherine also took the top spot in the Maxi Cobs class with Blue Jeans with whom she also won Reserve Champion Cob.
In the Riding Horse up to 158cm class Emma Lawrence & Benny Ace from Benbulben RC finished 6th.
In the Coloured Horse up to 158cm Catherine O’Sullivan & Paintwork Lad were again in the ribbons taking 2nd prize, while Shauna Freeney & Nic Nac were 6th.
In the Coloured Horse over 158cm class Serena Finnerty & Fountain Sissco of Corrib RC were 6th.
Catherine O’Sullivan & Paintwork Lad took the Reserve Champion Coloured Horse Title.
In the Intermediate Performance Hunter Class Christine McWilliams on Guinness Mc from Corrib RC were 3rd and Rachel Burke on Rookery Blue from Benbulben RC were 5th.
On Sunday the success continued for competitiors from the Western Region, in the Team Show Jumping Challenge Donegal Gaeltacht’s 3 rider team of Laura Schneider on Chloe Lass, Emily Schneider on Raylady & Patricia Warren on Hes a Dandy finished 2nd while Benbulbens team of Gwen McDermott on Carlton Spice, Fiona Tansey on Cloon Silver Cloud, Breda Perrin on Erronagh Sky & Julie Magennis on Grey News were 4th.
In the Intermediate Team Show Jumping Benbulben RC took the top spot with a team comprising of Edwina Ruane on Kilathurley Elvis, Avril Burke on Rookery Apache, Rachel Burke on Rookery Blue & Anna Burke on Rookery Sparkle.
In the Advanced Primary Individual Show Jumping Cathriona Goaley & Curra Whoopi claimed first place for Springmount RC.
In the Intermediate Power & Speed Avril Burke on Rookery Apache from Benbulben RC was 6th, Anna Burke, also from Benbulben RC on Rookery Sparkle was 7th & Colm Kelly on Monard Rose of Castlerea from Corrib RC was 8th.
Back in the Showing rings Geraldine Donoghue of Castle Carraig was 2nd the Primary Showing class with Lucky Cosmo and Rachel Lee of Corrib was 3rd with Prince Owen.
In the Connemara Performance class Therese Anderson of Benbulben came 2nd with Kilian Boy and Cathriona Goaley of Springmount was 3rd with Curra Whoopi.
In the Irish Draught Performance class Martin Shaughnessy on Putchacauns Mr Rose of Corrib RC came 5th.
In the Ex-Racehorse performance class Darragh Ruane of Benbulben RC came 3rd riding The Guns of Dunree.
Rachel Burke of Benbulben RC was 5th in the Intermediate Working Hunter class riding Rookery Blue, Katie Winspear of West Coast RC was 5th on Maraghmore Sam & 6th on Woodland Morning in the 4 & 5 year old Working Hunter while Donegal Gaeltachts Laura Schneider took 1st place in the Advanced Intermediate & above Working Hunter with Chloe Lass. Laura also won Reserve Champion Working Hunter with Chloe Lass.
The National Show Jumping Championships were held in Mullingar Equestrian Centre on Sunday July 13th and competitors from the Western Region were very successful taking home prizes in all grades.
In the Primary Championship Qualifier Corrib’s Monica Nielsen on Heather Dew were 2nd and South Roscommon’s Assumpta Shannon on Dandys Boy were 6th and Monica & Heather Dew claimed the Primary Championship Title for Corrib.
In the Advanced Primary Championship Qualifier Liam Stapleton took the honours for Tynagh riding Lady Tessa, while Emma Glynn on Signal Fire were 2nd for South Roscommon and Rose Burke on Darragh Dale from Dalysgrove were 6th.
In the Advanced Primary Championship Final Donegal Gaeltachts Lawrence Smyth on Jennys Jigsaw claimed another Championship Title for the West while Dermot Goode of Dalysgrove on Elvis Flaming Star came 5th.
In the Intermediate Championship Qualifier Benbulben RC riders featured strongly with Gavin Keenan & Ardgaineen Waltzer in 2nd, Edwina Ruane & Tullavilla Stuart in 4th and Rebekah Tansey & Brighten Up Your Day in 5th.
In the Intermediate Championship Final the Western Region secured 4 of the 6 placings Benbulben’s Rebekah Tansey on Brighten Up Your Day took the Championship Title, with Rudy Schneider of Donegal Gaeltacht on My Boy Boysie in 2nd, Mary McMahon & Aylroe Boy of Benbulben in 3rd & Edwina Ruane of Benbulben RC in 6th with Tullavilla Too.
In the Advanced Intermediate Championship Qualifier Donegal Gaeltacht riders took 2 ribbons with Emily Schneider & Raylady 4th and Patricia Warren with Hes A Dandy 5th.
Emily Schneider on Raylady were also 6th in the Advanced Intermediate Championship Final.
In the Open Championship Qualifier Benbulben twins Deirdre Dolan & Vanessa McDonald were both in the ribbons with Deirdre & Nisqually De May taking 2nd place and Vanessa in 5th with Vanessas Pride.
Deirdre Dolan on Nisqually De May also placed 3rd in the Open Championship Final.
In the Advanced Open Championship Donegal Gaeltacht’s Laura Schneider & Chloe Lass were in top form taking the honours in both the Advanced Open Championship Qualifier and the Advanced Open Championship Final.
In the Advanced Primary Accumulator riders from the Western Region again featured in the ribbons with Lawrence Smyth on Jennys Jigsaw from Donegal Gaeltacht in 2nd, Karen Mc Crann on Kalua of Benbulben in 4th, Tynagh’s Liam Stapleton & Lady Tessa in 5th and Darragh Ruane of Benbulben in 6th with The Guns of Dunree.
In the Intermediate Derby Benbulben sisters Avril & Rachel Burke took the top 2 spots, with Avril riding Rookery Apache in 1st & Rachel on Rookery Blue in 2nd, while Niall Coghill of Bridge riding Captain Paddy came 6th.
In the Advanced Intermediate Derby Tara Fergus Sheridan riding Tirconaill River Rose claimed 3rd place for Benbulben.
Benbulben riders again featured in the ribbons in the Open Derby with Kelly Fergus on Art Monarch in 2nd & Deirdre Dolan on Nisqually De May in 3rd.
Donegal Gaeltacht’s Laura Schneider riding Chloe Lass added to her collection of red ribbons by winning the Advanced Open Derby.
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 finished 3rd overall and won Best Turned Out Team.
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.
On Sunday September 14th several horses & riders from the Region travelled to Mullingar Equestrian Centre for the Equest Pramox and Hit-Air sponsored Masters Series final.
In the Intermediate Welcome Stakes, Benbulben RC dominated the class with Avril Burke on Rookery Apache taking 1st place, Gavin Keenan on Ardgaineen Waltzer in 2nd & Rachel Burke on Rookery Blue in 3rd while Caoilinn DeBairead of Corrib RC was 6th with Cavalier Kim. Cormac Mc Cormack of Leterkenny RC was 6th in the Advanced Intermediate Welcome Stakes on board Lenamore Santa Fea, while in the Open & Advanced Open Welcome Stakes Lizzie Naughton from Round Tower RC was 4th with Currower Girl.
In the Intermediate Table C Speed the Burke sisters from Benbulben RC were again in the ribbons, Rachel was 2nd on board Rookery Blue while Avril was 3rd on Rookery Apache. In the Advanced Intermediate Table C Speed Patricia Warren & Hes A Dandy from Donegal Gaeltacht RC finished 6th and in the Open & Advanced Open Table C Speed the McDonald sisters from Benbulben RC took yet more ribbons back to the west, Vanessa took 1st place on Vanessas Pride while Deirdre was 3rd on Nisqually De May.
In the Intermediate Grand Prix Avril Burke of Benbulben RC put in a foot perfect round with Rookery Apache to win the class while club mate Gavin Keenan on Ardgaineen Waltzer finished 3rd. Unfortunately none of the riders from the region made it into the ribbons in the Advanced Intermediate Grand Prix, but in the Open & Advanced Open Grand Prix the McDonald sisters both collected ribbons for Benbulben RC, Deirdre was 2nd with Nisqually De May and Vanessa was 6th with Vanessas Pride.
Avril Burkes win in the Intermediate Grand Prix seen her secure her place at the top of the Intermediate Leading Rider leader board with a total of 69 points, Rachel Burke & Rachel Lawson of Clonshire RC both finished on 56 points, but as Lawson finished higher in the Grand Prix she took 2nd place & Rachel Burke was 3rd while Gavin Keenan was 5th with 45 points. In the Open & Advanced Open Leading Rider both the McDonald sisters finished on 23 points, but as Deirdre placed higher in the Grand Prix she took 4th spot while Vanessa was 5th.
Avril Burke was also the overall leading rider on the day which seen her win a Hit-Air safety vest worth approximately €450.
October & November seen a number of Leagues take place across the region, Dalysgrove RC hosted a Friday night Show Jumping League in Creagh Equestrian Centre, with the Final taking place on Halloween night, Friday October 31st so to add to the fun of the show they also held a fancy dress competition on the night which was sponsored by Dalysgrove club member John Miland of Milands Garden Centre And Florist.
The results of the league were as follows:
Primary
1st Assumpta Shannon, South Roscommon RC
Advanced Primary
1st Dermot Goode, Dalysgrove RC
2nd Jane Conway, Tynagh RC
4th Emma Glynn, South Roscommon RC
4th Breda Burke, South Roscommon RC
Intermediate
1st Rebecca Goode, Dalysgrove RC
2nd Donna Murray, Dalysgrove RC
3rd Emma Hynes, Tynagh RC
4th Mike Dolan, Ballinasloee RC
5th John Miland, Dalysgrove RC
5th Donna Murray, Dalysgrove RC
Advanced Intermediate
1st Matty Loonam, Dalysgrove RC
Fancy Dress
1st Fiona Fenton – Batman & Robin
2nd Michaela Mc Carroll – Bride of Dracula
Sunday November 23rd seen the finals of the West Clubs Autumn Show Jumping & Dressage League held in Claremorris Equestrian Centre, hosted by West Coast RC. The Show Jumping League was kindly sponsored by Redmills & there was some great competition on the day for the fabulous prizes on offer. Competition in the Intermediate class was particularly fierce, with the last rider in the class John McArdle of Tynagh RC on Glen Legend just pipping Dalysgrove’s John Miland at the post to take the honours.
The full results of the League are as follows:
Show Jumping
Primary
1st Assumpta Shannon – South Roscommon RC
Advanced Primary
1st Dermot Goode – Dalysgrove RC
2nd Darragh Ruane – Benbulben RC
3rd Frank Gilmore -Corrib RC
4th Mary McInerney – Corrib RC
5th Darragh Ruane – Benbulben RC
6th John Hawkshaw – Corrib RC
Intermediate
1st John McArdle – Tynagh RC
2nd John Miland – Dalysgrove RC
3rd Anita Algierowicz – Corrib RC
4th Edwina Ruane – Benbulben RC
5th Anna Burke – Benbulben RC
6th Anna Burke – Benbulben RC
Advanced Intermediate
1st Colm Kelly – Corrib RC
2nd Norman Tierney – Springmount RC
3rd Roddy Kelly – Corrib RC
4th Roddy Kelly – Corrib RC
Dressage
Primary
1st Monica Hegarty – Castle Carraig RC
2nd Bridgid Barron – Castle Carraig RC
Advanced Primary
1st Evelyn Coyne – Corrib RC
2nd Miriam Mangan – Benbulben RC
3rd Finola Murphy – Benbulben RC
3rd Anna Burke – Benbulben RC
5th Finola Murphy – Benbulben RC
6th Therese Anderson – Benbulben RC
Intermediate
1st Fiona Monne – Springmount RC
2nd Moira Gleeson – Corrib RC
3rd Carmel Crowley – Corrib RC
4th John Hawkshaw – Corrib RC
Advanced Intermediate
1st Marjorie Hardiman -Tonabrockey RC
2nd Grainne Kelly – Springmount RC
Open
1st Mary Mitchell -Tonabrockey RC
In the North of the Region the North West Autumn Show Jumping League final also took place on Sunday November 23rd in Templemore Equestrian Centre, hosted by Letterkenny RC. There was a great turnout from all the Donegal Clubs and the results are as follows:
Primary
1st Louise Edwards- Letterkenny
2nd Nicola Coxford- Inishowen
3rd Catherine Gillespie – Inishowen
4th Cliff Haley- Letterkenny
5th Ruth McCrossan- Donegal Gaeltacht
6th David Robb- Inishowen
Advanced Primary
1st Liz Potter- Donegal Gaeltacht
2nd Enda McClafferty- Letterkenny
3rd Denis Kelly- Letterkenny
4th Brenda Burke – Tirconail
5th Pauline Anne Gavigan- Tirconail
6th Ryan McBride- Donegal Gaeltacht
Intermediate
1st Carla McGinley- Donegal Gaeltacht
2nd Aine Murray- Inishowen
3rd Anne Chambers- Letterkenny
4th Roseleen McGinley- Donegal Gaeltacht
5th Rudy Schneider- Donegal Gaeltacht
6th Paul O’Kane – Inishowen
Advanced Intermediate
1st Cormac McCormack- Letterkenny
2nd Marina Hamilton- Letterkenny
3rd Emily Schneider- Donegal Gaeltacht
4th John McDaid- Donegal Gaeltacht
5th Rosaleen Harkin- Donegal Gaeltacht
6th Jackie McKinley – Inishowen
The last show of the year was hosted by Inishowen RC in Templemore EC on Sunday December 28th
2014 was also a very sad year for the region with the loss of four of our members, Pat Touhy, Audrey Jacob, Cathal O’Malley & Ciaran Ridge we are all still mourning their passing. May they all Rest in Peace.
AIRC Western Region 