THE recent St. Patrick’s Coast Ride again proved itself the premier endurance event in Ireland, with a wide range of competitive and pleasure rides to suit every age and ability over distances ranging from 16km to 80km.

One hundred and five riders competed and participants varied from lead rein children (Suzanne McConnell’s running skills as she accompanied daughter Zara on foot were particularly impressive) to galloping grannies and grandads – truly a sport for the whole family!

This is a route which shows off the Ulster countryside at its best – from the fields, forest and disused railway tracks to the racecourse at Downpatrick, gallops and beach, with the spectacular backdrop of the Mourne Mountains – and every twist and turn brings a fresh vista.

This year, ride organiser David Cunningham managed to find new ways to improve on what had already been an exciting course, with more fields and less roadwork, providing a challenging but achievable endurance goal.

The event included, as in previous years, a Riding for the Disabled class, and the high point for most was the chance to gallop up the finish at Downpatrick Racecourse. The most popular classes were the Pleasure Rides, with awards this year, for the first time, to both members and non-members.

Local rider, Bartley Murphy on Clairie was the inaugural winner of the non-member Pleasure Ride Trophy (Kilgarry Trophy) and new mum Tasha Anderson, riding Ellanora, proved her return to post-baby fitness by winning the members’ Pleasure Ride class, with Vivienne Andrews on Sarah’s Pebbles and Hannah Catterall on Holly’s Dream Flight finishing second and third.

Appropriately for an event held at Downpatrick Racecourse, there was a Racehorse to Riding Horse class, which was won by Jane Hobson on her home-bred gelding Glenoran Steps, with Kerry Neil on Finn coming second.

The doyenne of galloping grannies, Karina McVeigh, who completed 48km on Cheyenne, was top competitive trail rider, with Robyn Catterall placing second on Arabella Blue, while the 80km Endurance Ride was won by Helen McFarland on J. St. Jake, closely followed by Jenni Cunningham on Just C’Mall.

All the prizes were most generously sponsored by companies and individuals who have been continuously supportive of this ride over the years and to whom ILDRA is most grateful – Kingsfield Haylage, Horse First, Performance Equestrian and Baileys Horse Feeds.

St. Patrick’s Coast Ride also hosted the Irish National Endurance Championships and perhaps the most delighted recipient of any award was David Cunningham who this year achieved his dream of riding in, as well as organising, the ride and he won the Senior Novice Championship on Robyn Catterall’s Artic Eclipse.

Leinster Branch young rider Cat Sherry won the Junior Intermediate Championship on Shandora. The Senior Intermediate Championship went to Karina McVeigh (Cheyenne) with Helen McFarland (J. St. Jake) taking the Senior Open Championship ahead of Jenni Cunningham (Just C’Mall).

As ever, this marvellous ride was only made possible by the generosity of numerous local landowners who kindly gave access to miles of private land and the many volunteers who gave up their time before, during and after the event to ensure its smooth running.

For those who missed out this year, now is the time to start training for 2018. There is a ride tomorrow (Sunday) at Ballyfoyle, Kilkenny and another next Saturday, September 24th at Florencecourt, Co Fermanagh where there will be a full range of competitive and pleasure rides available.