The first of the AIRC West region qualifiers for the Connollys Red Mills sponsored national dressage championship took place at Necarne Castle on Sunday 24th May. With the first truly hot day of 2026 sending spectators scurrying to the cold-drinks stalls, competitors were grateful for the cathedral-like cool and calm of the indoor arena for warming up in. Lucinda Webb put in a long day of judging in the sun, with eleven teams from five clubs, plus individual competitors from an additional three clubs, needing her attention. The West region’s 70/80 team SJ qualifier was running parallel to the dressage and many competitors were taking part in both disciplines, making the task of arranging dressage times all the more tricky. Inishowen riding club member Lauren McLaughlin deserves special credit for ensuring no rider had to worry about their showjumping and dressage times clashing, a task made easier by Lucinda Webb’s willingness to take test riders in very mixed order. Letterkenny riding club supporter Maura McNicholl had drawn up great scoreboards for posting results on as they came through, and there was huge anticipation amongst the gathered riders as the final test scores were filled in and team scores could be calculated.
With eleven teams entered in the qualifier, the top three teams were eligible for qualification, meaning that Donegal Gaeltacht Team Two, Inishowen Team Three and Stracomer Team Two will do battle once again in Mullingar in August. Stracomer riding club’s Team Two, consisting of Brenda Burke, Julie O’Hare, Ann Keaney and Erin Fergus, were overall winners and received the lovely Connolly’s Red Mills sponsored rugs.
Individual successes were well spread over participating clubs. Donegal Gaeltacht rider Emma Curran Alcorn, riding Slemish Cavalier Two Step, achieved a PB in landing the RCP1 on a score of 69.17. The RCP2 class went the way of Inishowen riding club’s Abigail Williams when steering Tullibards Shakira to a 77.29 on the board. Brenda Burke rode her own The Newtown Lady to take the win in the RCP3 division for Stracomer riding club, with her score of 77.14 going a long way towards helping her team win also. Lakelands riding club’s Joanna Cole achieved the highest score of the day with an impressive 77.9 win in the competitive RCN class, leaving her to return victorious to her home Midlands region safe in the knowledge that she has secured her spot at the national championship. Inishowen riding club’s Anne McFarland likewise qualified in the RCM class on a score of 68.94.
Stracomer riding club would like to sincerely thank Necarne Castle for providing a superb venue, Lucinda Webb for her patience and good humour over a long and hot day, and their neighbouring Donegal clubs for all their help in organising and stewarding what was a most successful and enjoyable day of sport.
You can find a list of qualified riders and horses at this link – https://airc.ie/airc-ndc-2026/
Written by: Rachel Carton
Photo Credit: Kyra Griffin Photography
