The Irish Long Distance Riding Association held both Pleasure Rides and Competitive Trail Rides at Kilbroney Forest Park, Rostrevor, on Saturday 23rd April. The organiser David McFarland had marked out a variety of routes. Pleasure riders, of whom twenty-eight turned out, were able to choose between a five-mile and an eleven-mile loop.

CTRs were offered at twenty-three, twenty-eight, and thirty-nine miles.

All routes started out along a steep, woodland path up to a clearing called ‘Fiddler’s Green’. This generally has a calming effect on enthusiastic mounts! The routes then continued to the upper carpark, from where the Cloughmore Stone (above) and Rostrevor (below) could clearly be seen. Some of the tracks that had been badly damaged last year had since been repaired, and the new surfaces made good going underfoot; this was especially evident on the path leaving the upper carpark. At the top of the forest, David had found a new track that wound down to a shallow stream crossing. This area turned out to be a suntrap. My group paused there to let the horses stand in the water for a drink - a moment of quiet before we hurried on again to keep to CTR times.

CTR completions included:

23 Miles. Dorothy Heath on Saoirse; Gary McKie on Bay Gale; Ian Gault on Be Merry; Cora Keary on Joe Hatter and Miriam Clark on Rinka.

28 Miles. Yvonne Croke on Diamond and Emer Lennon on Damascus D’zap.

39 Miles. Robyn Catterall on Charlie Four Socks; Elaine Burch on Dunmore Diana; Sally Burch on Tory; Suzanne Perry on Star; Helen Parker on Annie; Michael Parker on Woody and Helen McFarland on J.st Jake.

At the moment, younger riders seem to be pushing the adults to achieve. I write this because at Rostrevor two mothers were persuaded by their offspring to ride forty miles in order to allow the youngsters to progress their ambitions with ILDRA! (That’s about six and a half hours dedication in the saddle.) Ten-year-old Elaine Burch and her mother Sally both achieved their Silver Shamrock Awards by completing their second 40-mile CTRs. Also eleven-year-old Michael Parker and his mother Helen completed their first forty-mile ride. It is said Michael is now planning their next forty! Well done to all!

Congratulations should also go to twelve year old Robyn Catterall who achieved her Silver Shamrock at a Leinster Branch ride at Slaney Valley a few weeks ago. Also achieving a new level at Rostrevor was eight-year-old Shona Burch on her pony Scottie. The eleven-mile pleasure ride earned her a Level Two Horse Shoe Award.

Thanks to David McFarland and all his helpers for an excellent day.

The next ILDRA ride will be a Pleasure Ride at Shane’s Castle on Sunday 8th May. Rides start between 10.30am and 1pm. The route is marked out with orange tape and riders can travel at their own pace in their own groups. The mood at this ride is generally relaxed as the woodland scenery is outstanding. Please contact ride organiser Lorraine Giles on 028 9188 3900 for more details. Alternatively, keep up to date by logging on to our website www.ildra.co.uk