The Connolly’s RED MILLS AIRC Dressage Championship Qualifier, hosted by Warrington Riding Club at Warrington Top Flight Equestrian Centre, Kilkenny, on Sunday 1st June, showcased an impressive field of competitors from the South East Region vying for national qualification. The event, run with the kind permission of the Moloney family at Warrington, saw over 40 individual combinations compete across multiple dressage grades, alongside a fiercely contested team competition.
Team Triumph for Carne Riding Club
The team from Carne Riding Club clinched first place with a commanding combined score of 427.64. Joy Ffrench (Lily’s Rose), Isabelle Rouviere (Jasmine Van Ter Notelaere), Darren Rossiter (Touch of Class), and Ciara Frayne (Queen Ruby Royale) delivered consistent performances across all levels, with Rossiter notably scoring 75.19 and 69.96 in RC P2, and Frayne topping RC P3 with a total of 145.91.
Second place went to Thomastown & District Navy (422.15), led by a standout double test from Sheena Holt on Wemyss Bay (70.85, 70.77). Barrow Valley (416.59) secured third, supported by a strong showing from Isabelle Gould and Foxy Furisto (75.00, 69.62). Host club Warrington secured fourth, while Barrow Valley and Thomastown & District Blue secured fifth and sixth place, respectively.
Strong Individual Scores Across All Grades
Shauna Meaney, representing Barrow Valley, took pole position in RC P1 with Mooncon Star, scoring 74.32 and 66.43 across both tests. In the RC P2 section, host club rider Anne McGrath of Warrington produced a blistering performance with Mahanagh Heather, scoring 74.81 and 71.35. Top honours in the RC P3 section went to Fidelma Curran and Ballyadam Philip, representing Waterford, who scored 73.00 and 71.14 across both tests. Meanwhile, Tinahely’s Rita Naughton and Actions Bond Girl produced a standout performance in RCN, scoring 72.26 and 71.72 for a total of 143.98. Finally, in the Young Horse section, Joanna Lewis with Kiltiernan Sapphire representing Mill Road scored 69.04 and 66.92 for a winning total of 135.96.
Warrington Impresses as Host Club
A great day was had by all at the AIRC South East Region Connolly’s RED MILLS Dressage Qualifier. Warrington Riding Club’s smooth running of the event, supported by the dedicated team at Warrington Equestrian Centre, was widely praised by competitors and spectators alike.
With the South East’s Team Dressage Championship Qualifiers now complete, attention will soon turn to the AIRC National Dressage Championships at Mullingar Equestrian on Sunday 17th August. If this qualifier is anything to go by, the Region is set to be strongly represented.
Written by: Rory O’Sullivan Hennessy
Photo: Carne Riding Club
