Latest Show Report
Sun Shines for Leinster Competitors
Published 29.07.2014
A return to our regular venue at Killossery Lodge Stud for the penultimate leg of the Summer League on 27th July saw a quieter show than the previous weeks record entry at Coil Óg. The sun shone for competitors most of the day and with high temperatures causing an uncomfortable warm-up, judge Damien McCormack kindly allowed riders to compete minus show jackets. Despite some regular competitors taking to the showing and showjumping rings at nearby Tattersalls there were over 90 entries on the day.
One rider who was delighted to be competing was Orla Carroll who’s mount Bridgehousestud Riverking was returning to action following a three-month break to recover from surgery. The time off had no effect on the bay gelding’s performance however, as the combination scored a creditable 69.78% to place third in the Preliminary BD 15. This class was won by Cloe O’ Toole riding Goldthorn Impish Diamond scoring a very impressive 76.52% from judge Giesla Holstein who had the Kevin McGuinness partnered Coppermine Bella Donna on a score of 71.74%. Nina Reinbold and Sandro K clearly impressed in both Preliminary category 2 sections, taking home the two red rosettes with scores over 70%.
Damien McCormack was charged with judging the short arena Elementary, Novice and Preliminary classes and was very happy with his Novice and Elementary winners. While he felt that some maybe didn’t perform at their best on the day in the Preliminary section, he clearly liked what he saw in Angela Flynn and six-year old Tequila Dun’s performance in the DI P5 awarding them the winning score of 75.34%. Noting that some horses were wanting in energy, he put the lack of impulsion down to the hot weather and the grass bellies that some of the horses were sporting ;) Damien noted that he wants to see a horse with lots of presence and shouts “Look at me!” when they step into the arena.
Michael Moore partnered Partial Eclipse to success scoring 74.35% in the My Oh My gelding’s first Novice class while the BD 39 Novice section was claimed by Springfield Rondo ridden by Kate Kennedy.
The Elementary BD 42 and BD 43 were won by Joanne Logue (Whitetree Sky) and Ruth Wiseman (Good Grief) respectively. Bernie Foley and the grey gelding Killossery Buddy claimed top spot in the category 2 BD 43 with 62.93%.
While Sonya McCormack may have been the only combination to ride both the Advanced Medium classes and the Advanced BD 100, she produced some lovely tests scoring a very creditable 65.63% in the Advanced aboard the former four-star eventer The Jump Jet. The Cavalier Royale gelding previously competed for the Army Equitation School with rider Capt. Geoff Curran. Para Equestrian rider Emma Cahill was delighted with the opportunity to trial run her freestyle to music test for which she was awarded 75% with Capital Coin. Judge Gisela Holstein commented that the music she’d chosen was fun and that he floor plan scored highly on technical marks.
The long arena was shortened for the Riding Club and unregistered classes judged by Michael Moore and Bernie Foley. The winner of the unregistered Preliminary DI P15 was George Williams riding Burke’s Peerage scoring 72.68% a good five percent ahead of second placed Emily Nelson and Penny Dapples with 67.50%. Williams also won the second unregistered Preliminary class while Lisa McLoughlin and Fox Fields Rumba were the uncontested winners of the AIRC 7.
Laragh Byrne came out on top once again in the Dressage Demons A with a very impressive 75.00% from judge Damien McCormack with Isabelle White claiming second. Zoe Bolton and Tilly B scored 76.00% to win category B section.
The final show on the Leinster Region’s Summer calender takes place on August 24th in Killossery Lodge Stud, we hope to see you there!
—Angela Flynn