Amid deteriorating conditions, Sunday last, September 11th saw the Association of Irish Riding Clubs (AIRC) National Horse Trials One-Day Championship held in Kilguilkey House, Cecilstown, Mallow.
Featuring in excess of 150 entries across varying classes, it catered for both championship and non championship events, the day brought success for a number of competing riders from The Avondhu area. Championship competitors had qualified from events held throughout the summer months.
An early start time greeted most of the competitors, with the opening dressage stage beginning at 9am as conditions held dry. However, with a strengthening wind developing throughout the morning, competitors battled particularly in the show jumping and cross country stages against worsening conditions, with the afternoon bringing the worst of the weather.
However, it was onwards and upwards for those competing and in the Open and Advanced Championship, Amy Walsh from Galbally’s Hillcrest club, riding Keylogues Gold, secured 4th overall in a competitive 10-competitor section.
Following a clear round in the show jumping and bringing her horse home just 4 seconds outside the allocated time (7 minutes 45 secs) in the cross country section, this moved Amy up in the ranking, finishing on a score of 48.4. The winning score in this category was by Kate Solon from the Greenhills club with an impressive 26.5 points.
In the Intermediate non championship event, Lismore’s Tara O’Donoghue brought home her mount, Kilcolta Swift Shore in top position against a field of 36 riders. Her super low dressage score of 20.5, saw her in top position from the outset.
A clear in the show jumping followed, with Tara coming home in the cross country in 6 minutes 50 secs, well under the time allowed of 7’ 36”.
A competitive Advance Primary Championship saw 18 riders battle for glory, with North Cork Riding Club’s Taija Howard from Kilworth riding Diamond Gazer, recording clear show jumping and cross county sections, to finish on 32.5.
While placing her a credible 3rd, she was only 1.2 points behind the eventual winner, Karen Feleki from the Carne club, riding Archibald Wells on 31.3 points, while 0.5 behind 2nd placed Dell Quinn from the Bel-Air club (32.0).
The Young Horse category saw both Katie Frazer and Hollie Apew from the Hillcrest Club, Galbally place 4th and 5th respectively. Katie on Keylogues Red Clover finished on 36.8, having a clear in the show jumping and cross country. While Hollie finished close behind on 40.0, having just a single fence down in the show jumping and recording a clear in the cross country.
In the overall Team Eventing championship standings, Border Counties were placed first on a total of 91.3, with North Cork Riding Club, consisting of the trio Ita Walsh (Mountkeefe Sunshine – 47.5 points), Virginia O’Donovan (Sugar – 45.4 points) and Taija Howard (Diamond Gazer 32.5 points) placing in 6th on 125.3.
Well done to everyone concerned.
