The AIRC South West Regional Dressage Qualifiers took place at Skevanish Equestrian Centre on Sunday, June 28th, hosted by West Cork Riding Club.
Six teams contested the Connolly’s RED MILLS AIRC Team Dressage Qualifier, with riders from across the region competing for the single qualifying place at the AIRC National Dressage Championships in Mullingar.
The competition was extremely close throughout, with East Cork Riding Club taking the title on a score of 420.91%, ahead of Knocknamana Country Riding Club on 418.42%, while South West Riding Club finished third on 413.33%.
The winning East Cork Riding Club team comprised Cecilia Foster (Abbeyside Rory), Laura Pope (Southway Flying Comet), Margaret Manning (Apachi) and Emma Mangan (Glentrague Melody), producing two consistent rounds to secure the regional title and qualification.
The N, P3 and P2 grades saw all six teams remain closely matched throughout, with Highland Lodge Riding Club fielding two teams that kept them in contention alongside South West Riding Club and Knocknamana Country Riding Club.
Heading into the final phase, little separated the leading teams; however, East Cork Riding Club held their nerve to secure the win and qualification to the AIRC National Dressage Championships in Mullingar.
The individual classes were won by Caroline Marwood and Investigator P (Knocknamana Country Riding Club) on 145.87, ahead of Laura Pope and Southway Flying Comet (East Cork Riding Club) on 142.00, while Samantha Murphy and Pearls Golden Wonder (South West Riding Club) took third on 141.34.
East Cork Riding Club will now represent the South West Region at the AIRC National Dressage Championships in Mullingar.
West Cork Riding Club would like to thank the O’Sullivan family for the use of Skevanish Equestrian Centre, Connolly’s RED MILLS for sponsoring the prizes, Skorie for providing their scoring system, and all competitors, judges, and volunteers who contributed to a successful and well-run day.
You can find a list of qualified riders and horses at this link – https://airc.ie/airc-ndc-2026/
Written by: Sarah Sexton, PRO
Photo: Horse Sport Images
