ULSTER BRANCH REPORT

The final ride of the Ulster Branch season took place on 11 November at the National Trust property at Castleward, near Downpatrick. This ride is always well supported, and this year with glorious weather forecast 121 riders too part over the Pleasure Ride course of 10 miles. Nobody was disappointed. The going was superb and the views of Castleward House and Strangford Lough were spectacular. A fitting end to a good season, with thanks to Gail Potter, the organiser.

The Ulster Branch of ILDRA held its Annual General Meeting at the Chestnut Lodge, Moira on the 16th November 2007. Amongst the large number of members present, was the ILDRA national chairman, Edward Allen, Larry O’Neill, national treasurer, and Pat O’Reilly, the chairman of Leinster Branch. Dorothy Heath, Chairman, reported on another successful year, with 22 rides organised at 14 different venues throughout the Province. Participation was maintained at last year’s level, with turnout averaging 50 horses per ride. Dorothy congratulated those individual members who had participated throughout the season and had achieved their own goals, whether as pleasure riders enjoying the company of friends in the spectacular and varied scenery offered by the ride programme, or at the various levels of competitive riding offered by the Association.

Ulster Branch members had represented Ireland at Builth Wells, Wales in September, contributing to Ireland’s win in the Celtic Challenge event, and 2nd place in the Home International. Special praise was due to Robyn Caterall on Ellanora for her completion of the 2 day 50 mile ride, and Judith Hyndman riding Ardkill Mo for her completion of the 2 day 100 mile ride. In addition she mentioned Helen McFarland and J St Jake, a combination that achieved Premier Award at the Golden Horseshoe 2 day 100 mile ride over Exmoor in May, and were narrowly beaten into 2nd place in the 100 mile race at Builth Wells. She introduced the programme for next year’s rides, and an open invitation was made to all equestrians to attend. 2008 will bring a special event for Ulster Branch, in that we have been asked to host the Home International and Celtic Challenge events.

Edward Allen, the ILDRA Chairman, presented the prizes, which kicked off with the fancy dress awards for the recent Gosford ride – Judith Hyndman (adult) and Emma & Henry Greer (children).

The rider awards were won by Judith Hyndman (Open) 240 miles, Emma McBurney and Gemma McConnell (tied) (Intermediate) 260 miles, and Les Day (Novice) 88 miles.

The Pleasure Ride Trophy was shared between Margaret Gilpin and Melanie Clarke (189 miles), with Rosemary York (86 miles) picking up the Veteran Pleasure Ride Trophy. Hannah Catterall won the Junior Rider Trophy (372 miles), and with her sister Robyn also lifted the Family Trophy (732 miles).

Top Horse was won by Helen McFarland’s Just C’mall (303 miles) and Les Day added the Top Man award (124 miles) to his Novice victory.

Ulster Branch Chairman, Dorothy Heath was able to demonstrate that committee work did not prevent full active participation, and she lifted the Veteran Rider (203 miles), and her stallion Tir na Nogue won the Gemini Trophy.

The final award saw Emma and Henry Greer win the Horseshoe Trophy for children (77 miles), a scheme to help and encourage children to participate with their ponies. Henry’s smile alone summed up the value of this scheme, piloted several years ago, which is now a resounding success. (A full list of winners, and runners-up, is available on the Ulster Branch website – www.ildra.co.uk.)

Next year’s Branch Committee is:

Dorothy Heath, Liz McKimm, Kathy Conly, John Anderson, Helen McFarland, Lorraine Sloan, Kirsten Conly, & Gail Baillie

The full ride programme will appear shortly on the Branch Website, but the early rides are as follows:

January 6th Castlewellan, Co. Down Pleasure Ride 13th Training Day, Mossvale, Dromara, Co. Down 27th Castleward, Co. Down Pleasure Ride

February 10th Tollymore, Co. Down Pleasure Ride, CTR 48km 24th Gosford, Co. Armagh Pleasure Ride, CTR 48km

Ildra Brings the Celtic Trophy Home

On Monday 6th August the disappointing news came through that the Home International and Celtic Challenge Endurance competitions would not be held at Barbury Castle, England. Like so many events the foot and mouth had taken its toll. But events turned and the organiser of the Red Dragon Endurance Festival, Pat Conn stepped in to save the day. With an early start, some alot earlier than others, the Irish team arrived in Builth Wells, Wales on Thursday 27th September, ready to take on the Scots, the Welsh, the English and riders for the first time from Cornwall.

With all the team members through the Friday vetting, Thomas Roche Jnr on Jasione Fluxiania, Edward Allen on Mr Flint and Dorothy Heath on Tir-na-nog began their 7.30am start on Saturday from the Royal Welsh Showgrounds. Their 1st leg of the 50 miles took them out towards the Fwauncestse Hills. This proved very tricky as the mist was down and the going was very slippy under hoof. As they made their way over the Rhuian Hills on towards the Llandeilo Hills, just short of 25 miles, Dorothy's horse lost his footing, slipped and fell. Both horse and rider weren't hurt but unfortunately had to retire. Thomas and Edward carried on through the two vet gates and made their way home over the Aderedw Hills. By this stage the mist had cleared and the sun was shinning.

8am saw the start of the Red Dragon race of 100 miles over two days. Yvonne Croke on Braveheart and Judith Hyndman on Ardkill Mo both encountered the same difficulty with the weather. Yvonne who was riding with Judith for the team, was on hand with encouragement and support to Judith, who had never attempted 100 miles before. Unfortunately Yvonne's was forced to retire at the first vet gate. This meant Judith had to go it alone. Luckily the weather had picked up and Judith was able to take in some of the stunning views Builth Wells had to offer.
At 9am Robyn Catterall on Ellanora, Cora Keary on Beancroft Joe Hatter and Tommy Roche Snr on Silver began the 50 miles over two days (25 miles each day) that they had been chosen to ride. Tommy (I'd better not say his age but over fifty) was given strict instruction not to get off his horse to open the gates on route. "Let the young ladies get off," was quoted to him before the start. With the girls hopping off. Tommy's job was to keep the jokes and banter flowing. Just over 3 hours they crossed the finish line with smiles.

With day 1 finished Sunday morning came quickly. At 8.30am Judith set off. Her crew had increased with Yvonne stepping in to help. Her expertise was greatly appreciated, and even though she didn't get to finish herself, she was going to make sure Judith did.

Just before 9am Robyn waited at the start line for her riding partner for the day, the chairman Edward!!! Edward was riding with Robyn to complete his 75 miles. As there was a change to the route it was Robyn's job to map read. Up on the Llan-fraith hills they were met by a photographer who had them posing in the sunshine. Thumbs up, arms around shoulders and on their own. No-body can say that these two didn't enjoy themselves as their crews could hear them laughing before they could see them. Only a few minutes behind them were our novice riders, Louise Fingleton on Max and Juliet Jobling-Purser on Turbina. Louise who was taking a break from her studies was soon to discover that she was actually riding with an Olympian. Juliet, who's once chosen sport of eventing, had represented her country at the 1968 and 1972 Olympics. I think Juliet has found out that endurance is alot more relaxed.

With Cora and Tommy already on course for their next 25 miles it was the turn of Linda Pullman on Rinka and Brona Kearney on Charmer to leave the showgrounds to start the30 miles that lay ahead of them. To ride 30 miles on flat ground is an achievement but to ride 30 miles over the Welsh Hills was made extra special for the team. Brona who suffers from Fredricks Ataxia (a disease which effects the spine) proved that Irish eyes were smiling when the vet said "PASS" at their final vetting. I know that anyone who was there felt proud and were overcome by emotion by this achievement. This was felt more so by her mother, Mary and God father, Larry.

With all but I rider home, the rest of the team and supporters congregated at the finish line to cheer Judith home. With only two miles to go disaster struck Mo threw a shoe, but with her crew's quick thinking, Judith was able to replace it with an equine boot and continue over the finish line to applause that was well deserved.
All that was left now was the prize giving and with all the teams gathered the eagerly awaited winners were announced. The Home International results were in 4th place - Wales, 3rd place - England, 2nd place - Ireland and 1st place went to the scots who got all their 7 members of their team round. The Celtic Challenge results proved more difficult to judge as Wales, Ireland and Scotland got all their team members home. The final result went down to heartbeats and timings - 4th place went to Cornwall, 3rd place went to Wales, 2nd place to Scotland and 1st place went to Ireland. Robyn also picked up "Best junior Rider" for this event. Well done Robyn!!!!

Congratulations to the team chef, Larry O'Neill for his continuing dedication and support to each of the teams. A big thank you goes to the organising committee for such a memorable weekend. Well done to all and we look forward to next years competition which is being held in Northern Ireland.

EGB's Northern Championships

Helen McFarland on J St. Jake failed to retain their title in the EGB's Northern Championships on the 26th August 2007 in Cumbria. They lost out in a galloping finish to English YR International Rachael Rogerson on Gryphon, but at a speed of 16.61 kph over the 121 km route, Helen was more than pleased with Jake's performance, particularly when he won at 15.2 kph last year. The recorded speeds are as follows:

40 km - 2h28m 16.22 kph
40 km - 2h32m 15.78 kph (80km @ 16.0 kph)
25 km - 1h30m 16.67 kph (105 km @ 16.15 kph)
16 km - 47m 20.43 kph (121 km @ 16.61 kph)

Ulster Branch Riders Achieve success in England

Ulster Branch riders have recently achieved success in England. At the end of April, Suzanne Perry riding Starlight Crusade and sister Helen Perry riding Merry Dancer crossed the line together to take 2nd and 3rd place in the RAF Cranwell 164km (2 day) race at a speed of 14.7 kph. Not to be undone, mother Sharon Perry completed a Competitive Ride with a Grade 1 finish over 82 km riding Wesam.

In May, Helen McFarland took J St Jake to the Golden Horseshoe at Exford, and achieved the Premier Award in the 160km (2 day) event. Ther terrain and ground conditions prevented any real speed, but with 12.3 kph on day one, and 11.6 on day two, with finishing heart rates of 49/49 and 54/54, Jake was well ahead of the field.

Some Fine Photos off the event can be viewed on their website www.goldenhorseshoe-ride.co.uk