The sun was shining in Barnacarroll Equestrian Centre in Mayo as we hosted the AIRC West Region Foran Equine 70/80s Team Qualifier. 9 teams were all aiming for quick rounds, leaving all the fences standing to seal a win and a place at the team event in Mullingar at the Riding Club Festival. Conditions were tough throughout the day with temperatures in reaching 23 degrees, but a huge effort from horse and rider combinations ensured spectators were kept guessing right to the end as to who would take the win.
After round 1 there were 2 teams on 4 faults followed closely be a number of teams, so it was still all to play for coming into round 2! Midway through the 2nd round, it seemed to show that there were 2 front runners in the race. Benbulben held their nerve under pressure to take the win over Tynagh Red Team who were hot on their heels all the way through the competition. As a team of 3 riders the pressure was on Benbulben knowing all their scores would count. An impressive 2 rounds from the Sligo trio ensured that they sealed the win.
Results are as follows: Benbulben followed closely by Tynagh Red team, with Westport (Wildcats) in 3rd, Team Rock from Burren club took 4th, Westport (Cailini Capaill) were 5th with our own Barnacarroll team taking 6th.
Generously sponsored by Foran Equine, hosted by Barnacarroll Riding club by kind permission of Joan Fallon Walsh and family at Barnacarroll Equestrian. Many thanks also to Serena Finnerty and Noel Coleman who judged the competition and Martin Shaughnessy for designing a brilliant course. Thanks also to Jerry Higgins for providing Medical on the day.
Credit to all the teams who entered, as it was a highly entertaining competition which is now in its 2nd year and proving to be a great success.
Written by: Lorraine Cribbin
