DUNDALK Riding Club, which was re-established this year, hosted a show at Kernans Equestrian Centre last Saturday and, while the number of AIRC members who attended was disappointingly small, they did come from all over the North East Region.

The day was organised by the host club, with particular thanks to secretary Eithne O’Hanrahan, in conjunction with the Centre’s Linda Fahey and James Kernan who also provided generous sponsorship, as did the locally-based Horseware International.

It’s difficult getting back onto the calendar but hopefully the club will persist with their show as many of the riding club events from now on are staged in the south of the region.

Dressage was judged indoors by Yvette Truesdale, whose first two winners were members of the Mullaghamore club, Mari Nolan riding Mr Spike (Primary) and Marese McCarra on board Cecil (Advanced Primary).

Copperfield’s Fiona Cox topped the scoring in the Intermediate division with Lady Annabels Promise, while Louise Somers fared best in the Advanced Intermediate class with her Irish Draught gelding Indian Mist, an eight-year-old by Cappa Cochise.

James Kernan built the show jumping tracks in the outdoor arena where Mary McAllister was judge for the day.

There was more than a bit of family rivalry in the Advanced Primary division where Orla Moriarty on board Roll Of Thunder finished a second closer to the optimum time than her sister and fellow Dundalk member Rachel, who rode The Foreman.

Castle Leslie’s Avril Mackarel won the Intermediate class with Ebony and Davina Marron on Clooney Bay made it a double for Dundalk in the Advanced Intermediate.

Some riders entered both dressage and show jumping for combined training competitions and the winners were Rachel Moriarty and The Forman for Dundalk at Advanced Primary level, while Castle Leslie’s Julie McNally won the Intermediate division with Lahoran Lady.

The show season in the North East Region continues next Sunday, April 30th, with the staging of Ashbrook’s popular Derby Day at Killossery Lodge Stud. There will be Derby jumping indoors all day, dressage in the morning (using the AIRC Festival tests) and novice and open working hunter classes in the afternoon.