Team challenge Coilog EC

HAVING hoped for a rain-free day, the organisers of the Co Kildare Equestrian Centres Team Challenge found themselves in the middle of a heatwave at what turned out to be a very successful show hosted at Coilog Equestrian Centre.

In the team event, the excitement from the followers of each team was loud to say the least with the Castlewarden Pony and Country Club team in first place as the only team to finish on zero faults. The team members were Emily Maguire (Buzzard), Abaigh Pollock (Bandelero) and Ruby Smullen (Pepper). Following closely in second place were the team from Clonfert Equestrian Centre of Alannah Dolan (Cody), Madison Langan (Buzzard) and Lia Coleman (Athena). Third place went to another team from Castlewarden Pony and Country Club of Joe Henry (Basil), Holly Brown (Saphire) and Fionn O’Brien (Diesel). Clonfert Equestrian Centre finished off a great show with teams placing fourth and fifth - Doreen Freen (Molly), Sinead O’Reilly (Paddy), Erin O’Keeffe (Jessy), Keiko Currie (Rosini), Mary Kate O’Keeffe (Casey) and Leesha Moy (Jack Mack).

Competitive action

The individual competitions proved very competitive with Eva Rose Connell (Shadow) winning the 50cm class while the 70cm class winner was Holly Brown (Branchfield Sue). The 90cm riders gave an exhibition of jumping where only one second covered the first three on double zero score. First place went to Mia Brown (Basil Brush) with Ruby Smullen (Tubber Boy) in second place and third going to Leesha Moy (Jack Mack).

Organiser Keith Griffin said: “Special thanks to The Irish Field for their sponsorship and the beautiful trophy which was presented by Isabel Hurley, editor of Irish Horse World. Thanks also to Chris and Gwen Byrne of Coilog Equestrian Centre and their team of helpers who gave the red carpet treatment to everyone.

“Thank you to the participating equestrian centres for the hard work it takes to get young members to Coilog and special mention to Michelle Mikhailevich and Ethan Syed of Castlewarden PCC and Sarah Hickson and her helpers from Clonfert EC. Thank you to everyone for your support and I am delighted to announce that Coilog EC have invited us back in 2023 on Sunday, June 18th next.”