The sun shone brightly over another fabulous weekend at the A.I.R.C. National Hunter Trials at Flowerhill. This years course was longer than the previous year with lots of new fences which proved popular with competitors.
Donegal had a very successful weekend with quite a number of coveted rosettes and prizes being brought back to the County. The greatest victory of the weekend went to Letterkenny’s Anne Chambers who rode Kiltown Miss Molly clear to cross the finish line exactly on the optimum time to take the top spot at Advanced Primary level in a class of 83 competitors.
7 of our club members made the journey to Flowerhill and the day got off to a promising start with Rachael and Ruth riding Batteries Not Included and Sioux Indian coming in 10th in the Advanced Primary Pairs, a class with 40 pairs. This was followed up by Rachael and Rodger taking the 6th place rosette in the Individual Competition. Lawrence Smyth and Jenny’s Jigsaw had a great run in the Individual but were just too fast to make it into the placings, as were Ruth and Sioux who were 1min 2secs under the optimum time!
At Intermediate Level, Connor Gallagher made his first trip to Flowerhill, accompanied by his father Neil. He rode a clear round on Baby Bailey and came in exactly on the optimum time but an error by a fence judge, marking him down for a penalty he did not get, robbed him of the red ribbon. An objection was lodged but the decision was not reversed leaving him well down the field. In the Intermediate Pairs Connor and Bailey came in 10th, paired with Marina Hamilton and Teldel who later went on to come in 2nd in the Individual Competition.
The strong pairing of Patricia Warren and Sally Mahon riding He’s a Dandy and Kerrykeel Lad came in an impressive 3rd in the Mixed Pairs Competition.
Flowerhill first-timer Laura Schneider rode a great clear round on Chloe Lass (much to the relief of father Rudi!) to come 4th in the Open Competition with Sally and Kerrykeel Lad coming in 5th.
Overall it was a great weekend for both Club and County and we’re already counting down the days until next years competition – Chopsticks anyone?!
More Photos can be found in Gallery 2.
Laura Schneider riding Chloe Lass at the National Hunter Trials, Flowerhill
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