Angela Flynn

BOSWELL EC hosted the final of Dressage Ireland’s Eastern Region Summer League last Saturday, where good weather and bright skies made the day enjoyable for all 50 tests overseen by judges Gertie Liekens-Schurmans and Derval Diamond.

The largest class of the day was the training preliminary, which was won by John Wiseman riding Little Brud who scored an impressive 78.80%. The youngest competitor of the day, seven-year-old Mia Regan Byrne, made her debut in this class with her pony Bubbles Lad.

The Tredstep-sponsored league has been running since the Eastern Region’s first show of the year in January and the four league winners had tough competition throughout the year.

Junior section winners were Ruth Ferrie and Princess Jasmine, while the preliminary league went to Jill McGrath and Ballycastle Grey. The novice league was hotly contested, with the winner only decided on the final day.

Local rider Lisa Carnegie and the consistent seven-year-old gelding Killossery Kookie Monster were awarded with the win after placing fourth in the novice BD32 with a score of 62.41%.

The elementary league was won by Jennie Curran and Landanos Rolling Clover. The 12-year-old black gelding was previously campaigned under Eventing Ireland rules by Melanie Young with many successful outings including a win in the under-25 CNC* at Tattersalls.

League winners were well rewarded as they were presented with beautiful rugs and rosettes by Aidan Keogh of Tredstep Ireland. The Eastern Region are extremely grateful for Tredstep’s support and the time Aidan took out of his busy schedule to attend the presentation.

great supporter

The four-star event rider is a great supporter of Eastern Region dressage, along with his mother Joan Keogh, who created the Silver Spurs young rider competition.

There were two training bursaries awarded on the day, with the first going to junior league winner Ruth Ferrie and the second to Niamh Drea, who placed second in the preliminary BD12 class riding Carlton Freeman with 69.40% and third in the novice BD24 with a score of 63.65%.

Both novice classes on the day were won by Niamh Nolan, riding Best Kept Secret with two impressive scores of 76.15% and 69.31%.

The elementary BD42 went to Ian Grace and Brocknas Orb with 74.69% leaving league winner Jennie Curran to take second with 73.59%. Class winners on the day were awarded with sashes sponsored by Mark Durning Equine Dentistry.