Glenariff Endurance Festival

Glenariff Endurance Festival
9th & 10th August 2008

Venue – Glenariff Forest Park, Co. Antrim (Gd Ref. 207203 Sh 9)

Organising Comm. – Liz McKimm (Chairperson, Gail Baillie, Kathy
Conly, Kirsten Conly, Helen McFarland, John
Anderson, Dorothy Heath, Lorraine Sloan,
Sharon Perry, Margaret & John Gilpin, Les Day

Veterinary Judges – Robert Smith BVMS MRCVS
Lucinda McNabney BCSc MRCVS
Noreen Galvin MVB MRVCS

Farrier – Ian Gault

Ground Jury – Liz McKimm. Gail Baillie, Helen McFarland
HI & CC ground Jury – Chef D’Equip

Event Secretary – Kathy Conly

Stable Security – Alastair Conly

Checkpoints – 2 R Irish Territorial Army

Opening Date for Entries – 14th May 08
Closing Date for Entries – 10th July 08

The organisers wish to thank the forestry service and all the land owners over whose land the ride runs. Without their co-operation the ride would not be possible.
Chairman’s Welcome

It is a great pleasure to welcome to this year’s Home International and Celtic Challenge competitions our neighbours from England (including, of course, the Cornish), Scotland and Wales. This year, the event will be hosted by Ulster Branch for the first time. It is a significant occasion. ILDRA celebrates its 18th birthday, and its first competitive ride took place at this venue. The course will take in the Antrim Plateau, and affords stunning views overlooking the Irish Sea and beyond, in an area steeped in the history and mythology of Ireland.

Many people have helped and cooperated with this year’s Organising Committee, including the staff of the Forestry Service, Moyle District Council, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the Royal Irish Regiment. As with all rides, special thanks must be extended to the local landowners and farmers, who have willingly allowed access to their land.

To all competitors, crews and supporters, we hope that you enjoy your stay in Ireland. You will experience excellent riding conditions and facilities. When the Home Nations and Celtic tribes assemble, the competition is always fierce, but we are confident that the friendship and spirit de corps which pervades these events will continue to flourish.

We know that members of ILDRA and the Glens of Antrim folk look forward to extending a hundred thousand welcomes.

Cead mile failte

Edward Allen Liz McKimm
Chairman Chairperson
Irish Long Distance Riding Association Ulster Branch

Route Description

The majority of the course is run within Glenariff, Parkmore and Slieveanorra Forests where the terrain is well established gravel tracks. Included in the lower section of the route, is the picturesque and famous Glenaiff Glen, where the tracks run alongside the river before crossing the wooden bridge at the top of the waterfall. Some of the tracks within the glen and various other parts of the course are on a disused railway track. The track was one of the first built in Ireland and was used to transport Iron Ore from the mines on the Skerry East Road to the pier at Waterfoot. The railway line has not been used since the early 1900s, but is still visible at several points.

On leaving Parkmore Forest, the route heads to Slieveanorra Forest via a section of very old tracks which were laid in the late 1800s to gain access to the sites of the Iron Ore Mines. Evidence of the mining is still visible along this section of the route. As the tracks climb to almost 1700 feet, the route crosses sections of moorland and peat bog.

At time of going to print, negotiations are still taking place to secure a track from the lower part of Glenariff to the beautiful sandy beach at Waterfoot.

The ride takes in some of the most beautiful scenery that Northern Ireland has to offer. Glenariff is one of the world famous 9 Glens of Antrim, and is known locally as The Queen of the Glens. Once you have ridden this challenging course, you will understand why

For all entry enquires contact – Kathy Conly, 138 Navanfort Road,
Armagh, BT60 4PX
Tel/Fax – 02837 524809
E-mail – kkathycon@aol.com

For general enquiries contact – Liz McKimm – 07799867096
E-mail – memck2001@yahoo.co.uk

Facilities

The following facilities are available at the venue:-

Camping - £9.50
Caravan/Lorry Link up - £11.50
Toilets
Shower Block
Site Catering – Thurs – Mon (from early morning) courtesy of Glenariff
Tea House – Prop – Kathleen Murray

Stabling – Stabling onsite for members of the Home International & Celtic Challenge teams, with a limited number of spare boxes which will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. Stables include 1 bail of shavings or equivalent. No Corralling at stables.

Corralling – is permitted within the designated area – with working electrified fence – 1 horse per coral. No overnight corralling.

Home International

Each team comprise:

2 x 160km over 2 days ER
1x 120km over 2 days
1 x 80km ER
1 x 80km over 2 days Competitive
1 x 48km Competitive (Jnr)
1 x 40km Competitive (Novice)

Celtic Challenge

1 x 80km ER
1 x 80km over 2 days Competitive
1 x 80km over 2 days Competitive (Jnr)
1 x 48km Competitive
1 x 40km Competitive (Novice)

Provisional Timetable (subject to change)

Thurs 7th Aug – Stables will be available

Fri 8th Aug

4.30pm – All team horses must be stabled
5pm – Pre-event Vetting
6.30pm – Chef meeting and declaration of teams
7.30pm – Parade of Competitors
8.30pm – Event Briefing

Sat 9th Aug

8.30am – Start for classes 2 & 3
9am – Start for Class 1
9.30 – 10.30 – Start for all competitive classes

Sun 10th Aug

8am – Trot up for Classes 1 & 2
8.30am – Teams Trot up (classes 4-8)
8.30am – Start for Class 1
All competitive classes must have start between 9-10am

Prize Giving – Approx 7.30pm

Classes

Class 1 – 160km (2 day) Sat/Sun

Class 2 – 120km (2 day) Sat/Sun

Class 3 – 80km ER Sat

Class 4 – 80km (2 day) Sat/Sun

Class 5 – 80km CTR Sun

Class 6 – 64km CTR Sun

Class 7 – 48km CTR Sun

Class 8 – 40km CTR Sun

Class 9 – Pleasure Ride Sun

Class 1 – Mass Start day 1 (sat) Time start Day 2 (sun) in order of finish on day 1.

Class 2 – Mass Start day 1 (sat) 80km ER, Sun (40km) will be Competitive Start.

Class 3 – Mass Start

All other classes will be run as competitive starts.

All classes are run under Ildra rules.

Entry Fees

Class 1 - £100
Class 2 - £70
Class 3 - £50
Class 4 - £40
Class 5 - £33
Class 6 - £26
Class 7 - £20
Class 8 - £20
Class 9 - £5

Extra Coloured Map - £1.50
Sunday Night Buffet Ticket - TBC
Stabling at Venue - £85.00 for duration
(All stables must be vacated by 11am on Mon 11th)

Entry Fees include 1 coloured map, 1 black and white map, 1 official programme.

Rules books can be obtained from ride secretary for a fee of £5.00

Rules for Cancellations/refunds

Up to 14 days before the ride date – full refund. Note entry cheques will not be cashed until this date.
13 days or less before the ride – no refund.

General Rules

Attention is drawn to the following Rules:

Registration Cards: All horses entered in competitive or race rides must have their registration cards submitted along with their Log Book Mastercard/Mileage card. Registration cards from EGB and SERC will be accepted.

Junior Riders – 9.5 – Junior Riders under 14 yrs of age, who have not passed their Bronze Final or equivalent, must be accompanied by a supervising adult on all rides. It is the responsibility of the junior riders’ parent/guardian to arrange adequate supervision, up to a max of two junior riders per adult.

9.6 – Junior Riders aged 12 yrs and upwards who have passed their Bronze Final or equivalent may ride unaccompanied with parental consent (to be produced to the organiser)

9.7 – Junior Riders are not permitted to ride or be in control of a stallion at an ILDRA ride.

Due to a recent incident and concern from local farmers, DOGS ARE NOT PERMITTED AT THE EVENT, with the exception of guide dogs.

Contact Numbers

Veterinary Practice – The Old Stone Veterinary Practice,
Clough 02825685486

Farrier – Ian Gault - 07703198571

Equine Dentist – Gemma Murdoch 07811423196

Equinne Touch – Karen Murdoch 07811423123

Course Committee – Gail Baillie - 07956846794

Office Mobile – Liz McKimm - 07799867096

Stables Mobile – Alastair Conly - 07812342835

Dentist Surgery – Out of Hours – Mon-Fri – 6.30pm – 9.30pm
Sat & Sun – 9am – 12.30pm Tel - 08702411437

Doctor’s Surgery – The Glens of Antrim Medical Cen,
Cushendall
Tel – 02821771411
Out of Hours – 08705329024

Antrim Hospital A&E - 02894424000

Chemist – Gillan’s Pharmacy, Cushendall, 02821771523

Accommodation / Self-Catering

Callisnagh Cottage – 102a Glen Rd, Glenariff – 028 25649608

Callisnagh house – 102 Glen Rd, Glenariff – 028 25649608

Glen Cottage – 41 Glenariff Rd, Glenariff – 028 21772990

Hazelwood – 117 Glen Rd, Glenariff – 028 21771440

Windyridge – 4 Bay View Pk, Glenariff – 028 21771218

Ballymacdoe Cottage – 3 Dalriada Gds, Cushendall – 028 90222055

Blacksmith’s Cottage – 4a Gaults Rd, Cushendall – 028 21771651

Glenaan Cottage – 31 Glenaan rd, Cushendall - 08702361630

Lurig Cottages – 72 Ballyemon Rd, Cushendall – 028 21771718

Lurigedan House – 38 Coast Rd, Cushendall – 028 21771701

McCloey’s Cottage – 36a Glenaan Rd, Cushendall – 028 70344357

Portnagolan House – 17 Layde Rd, Cushendall – 028 21771279

Sandstones – 14 Shore Rd, Cushendall – 028 21771218

The Seaview Apartment – 12a Dalriada Pk, Cushendall – 028 21771555

Accommodation / B&B

Dieskirt Farm – 104 Glen Road, Glenariff – 028 21771308

Lurig View – 38 Glen Road, Glenariff – 028 21771618

Sanda – 29 Kilmore Road, Glenariff – 028 21771785

Ashlea – 2 Tromra Road, Cushendall – 028 21771651

The Burn – 63 Ballyeamon Road, Cushendall – 028 21771733

Cullentra House – 16 Cloughs Road, Cushendall – 028 21771762

Garron View – 14 Cloughs Road, Cushendall – 028 21771018

Glendale – 46 Coast Road, Cushendall – 028 21771495

Hillside View – 6 Tromra Terrace, Cushendall - 07821964456

The Meadows – 81 Coast Road, Cushendall – 028 21772020

Riverside – 14 Mill Street, Cushendall – 028 21771655

The Village – 18 Mill Street, Cushendall – 028 21772366

The directors and ride committee would like to thank the following people for all their support and sponsorship.

Forestry Service – Stephen McCartney & staff

Local Landowners – Roger & Ian Crawford
James McHenry
Paddy McQuillan
Matt Kelly

Glenariff Tea Room – Kathleen Murray and staff

Omagh Colour Copy Company – Colin Creaney

Territorial Army – 2 R Irish

Northern Ireland Tourist Board