The Red Dragon ride held in Wales is generally accepted as the culmination of the endurance year in Britain, and a large number of Irish riders attended to test their horses’ fitness in what was to be an international field. Of the large contingent who travelled from Donard none except Michael Griffin were to be successful in the races. Michael’s popular win in the 120KM class helped to make up for the disappointment suffered by the others. The lower distance CTR riders all finished and enjoyed their rides in what were challenging conditions.

Those riders who travelled independently enjoyed a greater degree of success, with Jane Stanley finishing the 80km race well and placing 5th in the 2day 120km (80km race day1 40km CTR day2), and Helen Mc Farland (the only Ulster Branch representative) taking 3rd place in the premier Red Dragon event (160km race over 2 days)

Congratulations to these riders on such competitive finishes at this highly prestigious event and commiserations to those who were less successful this time.

ILDRA Enjoys Glorious Weather

The last few weeks have proved to be very busy for ILDRA riders and crews, with two hot weekends in a row. Sunday 11th saw Rosemary and Richard York stage their annual ride at Ballypatrick, with a good turnout of 19 pleasure riders. It was nice to see two of our regular competitors bringing out new horses, Helen McFarland brought along her 4 year old Just C'mall, and Nora McCarron brought along another new horse Majidah. It was also a strange sight to see Kathy Conly relaxing and enjoying the sun instead of running around. A big thank you must go to the York's for a very enjoyable day.

Sunday the 18th was an early start for Irish riders who turned out to take part in the annual marathon run in Athy Co.Wicklow. This ride is a 26 mile race with just one midway vetting, and proves a very fast race to challenge horse rider and crew. This race had 7 finishers with Ulster Young Rider Robyn Catterall taking a very commendable fourth place. Well Done Robyn.

The day also proved very eventful with Kevin Croke getting bucked off his motorbike, we all hope he makes a speedy recovery.

Results 18th september;

1st Emily Millar, 2nd Dawn Leadon- Bolger 3rd Maura Murphy 4th Robyn Catterall

Home International and Celtic Challenge

6.30am on Thursday 10th August saw the start of the long journey to Yetholm in Scotland for the Home International and Celtic Challenge teams. 6 horses and riders had travelled up from Wicklow to join 6 horses and riders from Ulster. Along with their crews and supporters the Scottish Championships were in sight. Friday afternoon saw the official start to the weekends endurance with the parade of competitors from Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. A piper lead the way from the town Yetholm to Kirk Yetholm which was followed by the turnout competition. This was won by Scotland. The team vetting followed on friday evening where Ireland unfortunatley lost Billy Kelly with his horse Jasmine who trotted up lame.

Saturday morning bright and early the 160km over 2 days set off including Pat O'Reilly on Swift for Ireland. Their routes in the lower Cheviot Hills proved tough going, with other mileages setting out shortly after. Despite having a slight mishap, Londonderry rider Judith Hyndman on her horse Ardkill Mo kept a good steady pace throughout the 80km ER. Also in this class was Thomas Roche on Jasione from Wicklow and Lorraine Sloan on Manning from Co.Down. All 3 done well, finishing with good times. 9am saw the start of the rest of the classes. Riding in the 48km class were Gail Baillie on Im Not Quickly, Alex Wallace on Chase The Sun and Jason Finlay on Freddie. The 80km over 2 days were represented by Cora Keary on Salvia, Karen Keily on Tambroline Dakota and Robyn Catterall on Charlie Four Socks. Ireland's final member was Jane Bruce from Co.Down riding her dunn connemara Holy Smoke.

Gail, Alex and Robyn showed their crews what fun endurance can be. No matter where on course they continued to smile throughout. Not alot of time was taken by Cora, Karen and Jason to take in the views that the National Park had to offer. Day 1 was finished.

Sunday morning came quickly with Pat already on course Lorraine and Robyn set off for day 2 of their class. Weather, alot like Ireland, had changed and the rain came. Although they were very wet they managed to quicken their pace from the 1st day with both finishing on their optimum times. Unfortunatey Cora's horse was vetted out lame at the start of day 2 so Karen rode the 32km course with Jane, both girls finishing safely. All but 1 rider were home. A crowd gathered to wait for the 160km riders. This proved to be a very anxious time as the 3 remaining riders of the class were altogether but before long they had crossed the Bowmont river and the race was on. Congratulations go to Pat and Swift who finished 1st to take home The Highland Challenge Cup and win the Scottish Championship. The Celtic Challenge team came 2nd with the Home International Team finishing 4th. Our thanks go to the Scottish Endurance Riding Club for providing such a challenging but enjoyable course and I think that everyone who was there enjoyed their weekend.

The riders would like to thank their crews and supporters and also a big thank you to Blue Grass who sponsored the team clothing.

 Ulster riders and horses were in good form for the Endurance GB Bailey's Horse Feeds Northern Championships in Cumbria on the Bank Holiday weekend. The 75 mile ride took in the spectacular Westmoreland scenery, with the venue close to Shap, familiar to many drivers on the M6. For Helen McFarland on J St Jake, it was another trip across the Irish Sea, after her win at the Scottish Highland 100 mile ride in late July, and for Dromore's Helen Perry it was a useful preparation before her trip to the Czech Republic, where she represents Great Britain in the European Endurance Junior Championships later this month. Leaving behind her championship horse, Helen rode Merry Dancer.

English rider, Karen Greenwood on North Island Bill, set a blistering pace, and after about 20 miles, had already established a 50 minute lead. However, as with human long distance running, both the isolation of a front runner, and excessive early pace, can work to your disadvantage, and the following four riders, including the two Helens, maintained a steady pace, completing the first phase of 25 miles at 8 1/2 mph, increasing over the next two phases (20 miles each) to 10 mph. Helen Perry opted to ease off during the 3rd phase, to consolidate her finish, and by the time the horses had entered their third veterinary check, Helen McFarland had established a one minute lead from the early pace setter, with Southampon based Shellagh Bunn on Rasputin in third. Sadly Scotland's Avril Bruce on Auchengean Khalif was unable to recover quickly enough during the check, and was eliminated for metabolic reasons.

The final phase of 10 miles over open moorland allowed for superb going, and saw the pace intensify with the riders riding at 12 1/2 mph. J St Jake setted up a gear and galloped the final 1 1/2 miles to win comfortably several minutes ahead of North Island Bill, although a subsequent elimination due to excessive heart rate, meant a ten minute margin over Rasputin was the final result. Helen Perry finished a credible third, picking up the bronze rosette.

It is likely that J St Jake will conclude his campaigning this year, at the Red Dragon 100 mile ride over two day in Wales in early October. Helen Perry riding Wesam, and her sister Suzanne, riding Fabian Rouge, travel to the Czech Republic with the British Young Riders team, for the ride on the 15th/17th September. Helen McFarland donated her winning cheque to the travel fund for the trip.

 Many congratulations to Suzanne and Helen Perry on their selection for the Great Britain team to complete on 15th/17th September in the Czech Republic in the European Junior Championships - 120 km CEIJY - CH 4*

In addition to their own horses Fabian Rouge and Wesam, Suzanne's stallion Metallica has also been selected as travelling reserve horse. With English rider, Abigail Lockett, riding Charlie Spence's former mount Delorto Zaranz, there is a very strong County Down connection on the British team this year!

Good luck to the girls.

Helen McFarland completed a unique double when she competed in the Scottish 160km at Invergordon in July. Her win on J St Jake in the 160km (Scotland's first 160km ride) means that she has now won the inaugral 160km rides held in both Ireland (on Just Paddy in August 1997) and now in Scotland.

A Selection of Results

Mournes 22nd April

119km - 1st George Finlay - Salvia

2nd Larry O'Neill - Jasmine

80km - 1st Helen McFarland - J St Jake

2nd Robyn Catterall - Charlie Four Socks

 

Slaney Valley 3rd June

160km - 1st Audrey Clarke (Scotland)

2nd Emer Lennon - Damascus D'Zat

3rd Emily Miller - DVS Tahini

80km - 1st Robyn Catterall - Charlie Four Socks

2nd Dawn Leadon-Bolger - Macy Gray

3rd Pat O'Reilly - Swift

 

Wicklow Hills 8th July (National Championships)

80km Open ER - 1st Goerge Finlay - Salvia

2nd Michael Griffin - Zammar El Noor

3rd Helen McFarland - J St Jake

4th Davide Facardi - Milinka

5th Pat O'Reilly - Swift

6th Judith Hyndman - Ardkill Mo

 

80km Open ER (Junior Championship)

1st Robyn Catterall - Charlie Four Socks

64km Intermediate - 1st Cora Keary - Beancroft Joe Hatter

2nd Terri Moore -

3rd Paddy Tigue - Reverse Thrust

4th Michael Moore -

48km Novice - 1st Jason Finlay - Freddie

2nd Gail Baillie - Im Not Quickly

2nd Jane Bruce - Holy Smoke

 

Florence Court 27th August (Junior Championship)

Horseshoe class - 1st Gail McKie - Silken Thomas

2nd Shona Burch - Scottie

3rd Jordan Patterson - Spike

Novice Class - 1st Michael Parker - Dory

2nd April O'Raw - Galeshill Tarquins Gold

3rd Hannah Catterall - Miss Elle

Intermediate Class - 1st Evelyn Moore - Galeshill Zorro