Riders from all over the country descended upon Killossery Lodge Stud, Co Dublin last Sunday for the Equipeople AIRC National Eventing Championships. With just over 126 horses and riders taking on the 3 disciplines of dressage, show jumping, and cross country.
Team Championship
11 teams entered the team championship with 3 teams from the South East Region in the top 3 places Carne Riding Club came out on top with a score of 107.8 on the 3 person team – Ethan Cahill on Queen Ruby Royale, Joy Ffrench on Lilys Rose and Maire Ni Dhiomsaigh on Ballycullane Sandy. Coole Lane Riding Club was in second place with a score of 113.8 and Thomastown and District Riding Club was in third place with a score of 114.9.
The club said “We are so proud of our Carne team of Joy with Lilys Rose, Ethan with Queen Ruby Royale and Màire with Ballycullane Sandy after their fantastic win the at National Eventing Championships. As a team of 3 they knew it would be a big ask, but luck was on their side on the day. Individually, all three of our combinations have had a very successful season to date, each of them being placed in nearly all of the ODEs they entered, so they were well equipped to take on the challenge that faced them in Killossery. They reported that being part of the team event created fantastic team spirit and the atmosphere in Killossery was great, with our individual members of Kelsea, Keira and Jodie all being there to cheer the team on too. Overall, a memorable weekend ending in the trophy heading home to Wexford for the year!”
RC 110 & RC 120 Championship
Hollyboork Riding Club members took 1st and 2nd place in the RC 110 & RC 120 Championship with Aoife Madigan on Slanduff Bell X1 with a score of 46.5 taking 1st place.
Aoife said about her win “I was delighted to go to the championships as I’m on the road to recovery myself from an Injury. I was really chuffed with my horse’s dressage test and he gave me a super spin cross county where there were a couple of tricky questions. Thank you to everyone involved in organising the event and also to everyone in Brennanstown Riding School and Hollybrook Riding Club for the continuous help and support. It’s not often you get to come home with a lovely trophy. ”
RC 100 Championship
Rathangan Riding Club’s Francis Downes on Roses Sligo Candy took 1st place in a hotly contested RC 100 championship he finished on his dressage score of 32.8, followed by Killcarrick Riding Club’s Emma Dillon on a score of 35.4 to take 2nd place and in 3rd place was Earl’s Well Riding Club’s Fiona Fitton from Cork on 35.6, followed by Aoife Farrelly on Riverdale Bouncer, Margaret McMullin Ballinteskin Rebel and Fiona Cosgrave on Deniro De Semilly to finish the placings.
Francis said about his win “I have had the ride of Rose for the last year and we’ve been building our partnership up slowly. This was our FIRST ODE and a first National Title. I’m so thankful to her owners (Johnny and Sarah) for trusting me with her. I’m so grateful for all the support I have behind the scenes, especially from Abbie, I could not have done it without the team.”
RC 90 Championship
Harriet Aveling riding her horse The Minx from Foxborough Riding Club won the RC 90 Championship on a score of 28.9, in second place was Elaine Kilbane on her horse Roisin Star from Moyglare Riding Club followed closly by Jodie Rossiter on Ballinglen PJ Reward from Carne Riding Club. Eimear D’Arcy on Sharragh Watermill from Greenhills Riding Club, Ethan Cahill on his horse Queen Ruby Royale from Carne Riding Club and Emma Armitage on Lassban Rodo from Warrington Riding Club to finihs the placings.
Harriet said about her win “Winning the 90s eventing championship is something I never imagined would happen. Having ridden for 36 years with very few wins, it’s only now in my 40s with the help of a lovely little mare that I seem to have found success. I have put a lot of work and time in recently, to see this rewarded with such a win is epic! Schooling really does help! Thank you so much to everyone at the AIRC, it was a great day. Killossery is a fantastic venue. I’m already looking forward to next year!”
RC 80 Championship
Sheena Holt on her horse Wemyss Bay from Thomastown and District Riding Club won the RC 80 Championship comfortably on a score of 24.0, Elaine Mulligan on DMF Alphabet was second and Isobelle Gould on Foxy Furisto followed with less than .2 of a score for third place. Stephanie Bryan on Hazelwood Levi, Caroline O’Brien on Champagne Sparkles (FR) who alos won the Treo Eile Thoroughbred Award and Rebecca Matthews on Benvarden Dakota came forth, fifth and sixth.
Sheena said about her win “My journey was full of enjoyment and adventure this year. It was a privilege to represent my Thomastown & District Club at each event. The pathways to victory for Wemyss Bay (also known as Savannah at home) and myself was embraced with the wonderful and unconditional support of my team members and trainers. Each event I had the honour of participating in was with the understanding I was there to learn new skills while being the best version of myself and Savannah. My love, appreciation and deep understanding of Savannah’s ability on any given day is what makes us an adventurous pair. This was our first year eventing and to come home with a red ribbon at our first National Eventing Championship is anyones dream come true. I feel truly blessed with my horse of a life time. What a high to finish the season with my team coming 3rd in the Teams Championship also. We are very fortunate to be part of such a brilliant Club.”
Other classes that took place on the day was the Young Horse which was won by Moyglares Lisa Doran on her horse Cassanovas Diamond. The RC 90 Open was won by Evelyn Healion on Agreement from Kilrainy Riding Club, the RC 80 Open was won by Kelsea Morris on Cillian Dad fromCarne Riding Club and finally the RC 70 Combined Training was won by Caroline Graham on Pollardstown James from Rathangan Riding Club.
Photo Credit: RC 110 & RC 120 Championship and RC 100 championship – Elaine Dunne
Photo Credit: Team, RC 90 Championship and RC 80 Championship – Horse Sport Images
