The North East Region Dressage Qualifiers were held at Cheval Showgrounds on Saturday 22nd June 2024.
It was a bright and sunny day for the 42 combinations riding the two championship tests at their grade.
Ashbrook Riding Club a few years ago kindly donated a beautiful trophy in memory of their club member Mags Aughney who sadly passed away in 2021 and is greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of meeting her. With just .11% of a difference between 1st and 2nd , Mags Brannigan from Ashbrook presented this special trophy to the winning Drynam Team of Stacy Forsyth, Fiona Cox, Emma Fristedt, and Naoise Traynor. 2nd Place was Ashbrook’s team of Mags Brannigan, Mairead Dolan, Helena Fitzgerald, and Jayne Kidd.
The earlier classes (RCE and RCP2) were overseen by Dressage Ireland List 1 judge Vida Tansey and List 3a judge Bernie Webb. Mairead Dolan from Ashbrook with Belperhill Aint She Sweet won the RCE class with fellow club member Lisa O’Brien and Wilderwood Chilled Porter taking second place. The hotly contested RC P2 class was won by Thornton’s Leah Wigmore on Jessie Jay. 2nd place went to Greenhills member Serena Alexander on Cheeky Blonde.
The largest class of the day the RC P3 judged by Dressage Ireland list 4 judges Jean Halpenny and Mairin Cassidy was won by Sarah Cassidy and Woodland Badger, Sarah and Badger had an extremely successful AIRC Festival a few weeks ago. 2nd place went to the ever consistent Gerry O’Bryne and Connemara Doon Finn.
The RC N class winner was also won by Stacy Forsyth from Drynam on the Skewbald Gelding Texas Surf, Stacy competed two horses on the day riding 4 tests in a row picking up 3rd place on the Irish Draugh Granpa’s Grey Mist. Ashbrook’s Helena Fitzgerald and the Irish Draught Ballymacague Swallow finished 2nd
The RC P1 class was won by Castle Hill’s Sinead Kenny and Shrue Lady with Laura Lynam and DMF Meadow Lane.
An updated list of rider & horse combinations can be found at this link https://airc.ie/dressage2024/
(Image:Lennox Photography)
