Last night, members of Donegal Gaeltacht, Letterkenny, Tirconnail and the newly emerging Inishowen riding clubs attended a meeting in the Tir na nÓg bar in Letterkenny to finalise details of the North West League 2013. A firm favourite in the calendar, the dates of this years league were confirmed as 10th and 17th February and 3rd, 10th and 24th March.
Donegal Gaeltacht will be responsible for running the shows on 17th February and 24th March with Letterkenny hosting shows on 10th February and 10th March with a joint effort between Tirconnail and Inishowen for Sunday 3rd March.
The league is going to run in a similar format to other years but there will be a new rule regarding points. Riders can compete on as many horses as they like however points will only be given to the rider’s highest placed horse. The rider’s highest placed horse can be a different horse each week therefore points are not awarded on a “horse and rider” combination. However, in order to qualify for points on all their horses, the rider must have entered all their horses before the class starts. Any horse entered by a rider after the start of the class, if they have already competed on one horse, this horse will not be eligible for points. Complicated, I know! If anyone wants clarification on this rule, they can contact Patricia.
The North West Team Show Jumping challenge is scheduled to take place (venue TBC) on Sunday 28th April, a fortnight after the National Hunter Trials on the 14th of April, which, unfortunately this year will not be taking place in Flowerhill. The new venue is to be announced by Head Office soon.
Letterkenny Riding Clubs’ Derby and Dressage show is pencilled in for Sunday 12th May this year, brought forward in the calendar to hopefully boost numbers. The event which requires a lot of organisation (like the Beach Show) has had disappointing attendance in previous years so it’s hoped the change of date will address this.
This year, the RDS Team Show Jumping Regional Qualifier is to be held in Tubberbride, in Sligo, as was the case a few years ago. On that occasion, the club managed to field three teams so hopefully this year, we can manage a similar turnout! With the beach show scheduled for the 2nd June, its shaping up to be a hectic season! Please remember to wear correct dress at all shows and ensure your horse is well turned out – on top of it being an AIRC rule, you never know when you’ll be caught on film, as the documentary film crew will be following the club throughout the year.
And finally, on a sad note, it was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of the legend that was Finola Murphy’s Jesse Kildalton Delight. An amazing riding club duo, Finola and Jesse were the stars of any show in the region which they attended. Textbook examples of how you should do a jump off round and having won many titles, Jesse will be sadly missed by all. Our hearts and thoughts go out to Finola and her family on such a tragic loss.
