The Irish Long Distance Riding Association had and excellent turnout of Junior riders for their Halloween Pleasure Ride at Gosford Forest Park. The ride organiser Kirsten Catterall was delighted to see a grand total of thirty-two junior riders out on the day with many of them in fancy dress costumes. There were witches, cowboys, knights in shining armour, ghosts, little devils, fairies, skeletons, an escaped convict, more witches, the Queen, Robin Hood and even Darth Maul! I am also fairly certain I saw that well-known Leinster branch member, Kevin Croke, dash by once or twice!

The weather could not have been kinder. Despite a drive through thick morning mist along the motorway, the day cleared to reveal a warm and balmy autumn day. Kirsten, in keeping with the Halloween theme, had marked the whole route with Witches on Broomsticks to point the way. She also placed a well-known Disney fairy en route, and all juniors who correctly told Kirsten her name (Tinkerbelle) at the end of the ride were rewarded with a toffee apple, peanuts, and sweets!

ILDRA Juniors continue to go from strength to strength. At the Gosford ride early in 2005 ILDRA presented the very first Horse Shoe certificates to an eager bunch of youngsters and at this ride several more juniors earned new levels. They were: Shona Burch on Scottie who achieved her Level 3 Horse Shoe; Hayley Gardner on Jimmy who achieved Level One and Jordan Patterson on Spike who achieved a Pleasure Horse Shoe. Well done to all.

Another junior who deserves a mention is young Hannah Catterall, she was the first ILDRA junior to earn her Ride Assistant Award and has attended more rides on foot than mounted this year. However on Sunday she came out to ILDRA for the first time on her new pony ‘Miss Ellie’. Hannah enjoyed herself so much that after her first round of seven miles she couldn’t wait to get out again and promptly did a second lap! Hannah, others will be watching your progress with interest next year!

At the end of the day, it seemed no-one was in a hurry to go home. Many people stayed on and ate picnics, cooked up Barbeques or simply sat on their ramps drinking coffee and soaking up the last of a really good day. The next and final ride of ILDRA’s 2005 season will take place on Sunday 13th November at CastleWard; more details from the ride organiser Gail Potter 028 9127 0813.

Please could members also remember to return their mileages to Kirsten Catterall as soon as possible if they wish to be considered for any of this year’s trophies? Kirsten can be contacted on 028 3752 7049 if you have any queries.