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2011 sees Quality and Top class performances throughout the Northern Ireland Festival at Cavan
The
Northern Ireland Festival show was held in glorious weather over the
Easter weekend (Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th April) at the spectacular
Cavan Equestrian Centre, by kind permission of the Clarke family.
Competitors
and spectators alike were out in force to enjoy some spectacular
competition while making the most of the glorious Easter weather.
The
highlight of this well established and prestigious show is the gala
evening performances. These were held on both the Saturday and
Sunday evenings and showcased the winners throughout each day.
Saturday
evening allowed the novice horses and ponies to take centre stage in
the main arena, with a variety of championships being held. These
led up to the highlight of the evening, which was the Novice Supreme
Championship. This class was won by the Novice Ridden Hunter
Champion After Eight ridden by Philip Scott. Earlier in the day
this 4 year old small hunter, competing at one of his first shows, won
his novice ridden small hunter class and was crowned Novice Ridden
Hunter Champion earlier in the evening performance. This true
novice horse gave a dazzling performance in the big ring and behaved
impeccably to be awarded the tri-colour. Reserve spot was filled
by 8 year old Jodie Creighton riding her mothers 133cm Section B
gelding, Ardcru Master Mercury. Earlier in the day, this pony
took the Novice M&M working hunter pony Championship, competing in
his first season as a working hunter pony. Second reserve was
awarded to 9 year old Megan Dumigan riding the 4 year old novice hunter
pony Amesbury Buzzy Bee. In their first season together, this
novice pairing relished the atmosphere in the main arena to stand
Novice Show Hunter pony Champions earlier in the evening performance.
In-hand
horses and ponies also got their chance to shine in the Supreme In-Hand
Championship. This Championship was won by the fabulous Section D
Stallion Budore Sir Percy. Earlier in the day, this chestnut
stallion won three classes and two championships en route to the
supreme tricolour. Reserve Supreme went to I Oxons black shetland
Southernwood Tompot. Despite his minute stature this pony gave a
wonderful performance to enable him to stand up with his bigger rivals.
Second reserve supremewas awarded to the very successful pony Radlee
Amazing Grace.
Sunday night saw the open riddens get their
turn in the spotlight and the first major championship of the evening
was the Mini Supreme Championship. This class was won by the
aforementioned Megan Dumigan and the 4 year old Amesbury Buzzy
Bee. Reserve on this occasion was the open M&M mini reserve
champion Heniarth Shooglenifty with young Freya McClenaghan on
board. Eva McClurg with her new pony Haighend Aristocrat was
called forward to fill second reserve. In only their first week
together, Eva and Haighend Aristocrat won the Open Mini Show Hunter
Pony Championship to enable then to qualify for this supreme
championship.
The next supreme into the big arena was the
Supreme ridden horse championship. On this occasion , the
dazzling grey Mr Shakespeare was called forward to take the honours
having previously won the lightweight class, large riding horse class,
ridden hunter championship and the riding horse championship.
Reserve champion position was filled by the fabulous heavyweight cob
Sock et Set. Owned by Audrey and Michael Smyth, this fabulous
stamp won the heavyweight class and took the cob tricolour earlier in
the day. Second reserve was awarded to the reserve ridden hunter
champion IEE Fantastic Mr Fox ridden by 15 year old Rachel
Maybin. In their first season together this pair had a fantastic
show winning many classes and championships en route to this supreme.
The
ridden pony supreme competitors were the next to take centre
stage. Supreme on this occasion was awarded to Charlotte Smiley
aboard the ridden section B Kiezershoek Fons who gave a stunning
performance to take the tricolour ahead of Brookvale Court Jester who
was called forward to stand reserve supreme, having previously stood
reserve show hunter pony champion. Second reserve was awarded to
ridden hunter champions, Eva McClurg on Haighend Aristocrat.
The
final spectacle of the weekend was the £1000 festival supreme
working hunter Championship. On this occasion Emily Mc Gowan and
the Open 133cm winner Vale Park Holiday were called forward to receive
the winners purse of £1000 after a faultless performance
throughout the day both in her class and in the evening
performance. Reserve was awarded to Lynne Ireland and Blackwood
Quantum Rebel who had previously won the one metre horse class.
The winner of the 143cm open working hunter class Holly McClenaghan and
Bit of a Pickle stepped up to take second reserve spot.
The
committee of the Northern Ireland Festival would like to extend their
thanks to all who made this show possible, including all the sponsors,
judges and scribes, as well as to all the competitors and
spectators. The committee is also pleased to announce that the
dates and venue for next years show have been confirmed as 28th and
29th April 2012 at Cavan Equestrian Centre.
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