Riders from 55 clubs around the country headed to Mullingar Equestrian Centre for the 2024 Connolly’s RED MILLS AIRC National Dressage Championships.

RC Medium Championship

Siofra Pratt on Ballarin My Grace from Foxborough Riding Club won the class with a score of 134.15%,  Mullingar’s Christa Dillon and her horse Blackhill Kilcoltrim was second on a score of 131.76%. Last year’s winner Tabitha Millar Hagerty riding her horse Westeria Lane came third this year scoring 129.43%, followed by Miia Ruuskanen on Happy Gilmore, Tara Dalton on Burgomistr and Melanie King on Gortacleva John to finish the placings.

Siofra commented on her win ” I’m absolutely delighted to win! It means so much. We’ve only been competing at medium level for just over a year. We came second at last year’s championship, so to see Mali’s (Ballarin My Grace) progression throughout the last year and come out on top this year, makes me so proud. She’s an Irish bred mare by King’s Master which makes it even more special. She’s a very special little lady. I bought her just before COVID, so our first year together was purely training (and no competition) with the wonderful Brendan Bergin.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

RC Elementary Championship

Thomastown and District’s Charlotte Clear on her gelding Ramesses B won the class on a score of 137.67% and was also on the winning team, Charlotte was followed closely behind by Ashbrooks John Gavin on his horse Holywell Spark on a score of 137.08%. Daphne Lush from Foxborough was in 3rd place on her horse Millpoint Carnival, followed by Kim McCann on Bray Summer Breeze, Owen Smyth on Dark Site who was last year’s winner and Lene Rose Aksoy on Fernhill Nearly Darc to finish the placings.

Charlotte said “I am thrilled with our win it was so unexpected as we have only stepped up to this level a few months ago which makes it all the more special. Ramesses B known as Apple at home is my horse of a lifetime kindly sourced by Amy and Paul Kinane both who have been an incredible support and Amy’s coaching has been invaluable in our progression as a partnership. Our club then going on to win the teams was the icing on the cake my team mates all produced incredible tests to bring home the red for Thomastown & District. It is a fantastic club to be a member of we have weekly flat lessons with Rachel Dowley who is also to thank for our individual and team success. ”

RC Novice Championship

Cate O’Neill from Inishowen Riding Club on her horse Shanaghan Grace won the class on a score of 140.81%, followed by Mullingar’s Niamh Macken on her gelding Diamond King Henry on a score of 139.64% in third place was Killegar’s Jill Southern on her horse Ardmount Rio, followed by Stacy Forsyth on Granpas Grey Mist, followed by Chloe Kirwan on Carrigfadda Silver Lady and Rita Naughton on Diamants Babalou to finish the placings.

Cate said “Grace was my 1st horse coming off ponies. I have owned her for 5 years now and we have done lots of different events together through pony club, eventing Ireland and riding club. Before the championship I had been on holidays for 2 weeks and only got to ride Grace for 15 minutes on the Friday night at 9.30pm before making the long journey to Mullingar the next morning. I was equally delighted and stunned when we placed 1st, she is a great wee mare.”

RC Preliminary 3 Championship

Waterford Riding Club’s Fidelma Curran won the class on her gelding Ballyadam Philip on a score of 139.27%, followed by Friary’s Jackie Dow on Juno Tintreach on a score of 138.79% in third place was Isabelle Rouviere from Carne Riding Club on her horse Jasmine Van Ter Notelaere followed by Aine Griffin on Cocktail De Riverland, Fiona Cox on Dellrose Boy and Kate Noone on K Autumn Pride to finish the placings.

Fidelma said “Philip is 17 years old, we have him since he was just a few days old. My mother (Margaret Curran) got him from Coolmore Stud as a foster foal and hand reared him, he is by far her favorite child…. (and there are 6 of us). He is an amazing willing individual, tries his best to please, has won a lot of ribbons for me. Previously we did AIRC eventing successfully but in the last few years focused on prue dressage with the help of my trainer Ciara Power from Stonehaven Equestrian centre in Waterford. We have worked hard and it has all paid off with our super win in the P3 last Sunday, it was epic.
Thanks so much to AIRC. ”

 

 

 

 

 

 

RC Preliminary 2 Championship

Greenvalley’s Ruth Abbott on her horse CCS Banksy Moon won the class on a score of 148.99% followed closely by Thornton’s Leah Wigmore on her mare Jessie Jay on a score of 145.98% , in third place was Sheena Holt on her horse Wemyss Bay who was also on the winning Thomastown and District team, in forth place was Abbeylands Marie Therese Meade on her horse Mo Chara Darcy followed by Jacqui Deevy and in sixed place was Catriona Doran on her horse Madam Rouge.

Ruth said “The win was on Banksy Moon, owned by Kieran Morrin, Country Cottage Stables.  We won RCP1 last year and moved into RCP2 after.”

 

RC Preliminary 1 Championship

Susanne Cunningham from Greenvalley on her horse Doogary Dude won the class on a score of 137.50%, in second place was Mullingar’s Hannah Martin on Prince Darcy on a score of 134.53%, in third place was Emma Fristedt on Coco Cobana from Drynam on a score of 134.39%, followed by Emma Mangan on Glentrague Melody, Grace Cantlon on Emlough Alexander and Dearbhla Young on Annaveigh Bella.

Susanne said “The AIRC National Championships are always a great day out and I was delighted to win the RC P1 championship last Sunday. It was a competitive class, with some excellent riders, so I was very pleasantly surprised with my result. My horse, Doogary Dude (Mulligan to his friends), belongs to Kieran Morrin of Country Cottage Stables (CCS). Mulligan is a firm favourite around the yard, a delight to ride who would turn his hoof to anything. I have been lucky enough to compete on Mulligan for over a year, including the 2023 National Championship. I’m very grateful for all the support and guidance I received from Kieran, all the instructors and students at CCS and the Greenvalley Riding Club. Hopefully myself and Mulligan will be back in the dressage arena soon!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Young Horse and Open Classes

he championships also featured derby competitions where there were wins for young horse class John Gavin on his horse Holywell Knight, RC P2 Open was won by Border Counties Edel Cunningham on Rio (CPBS) and the RC P3 Open was won by Killcarrick’s Anna Marie Curry on Ely Pixie.