OUR good friend Joan Cunningham has been in touch to thank all those involved in the successful staging of the Saintfield Christmas Charity Ride last Saturday when the Co Down town was turned into a sea of red and white.

“I was totally lost for words and overwhelmed by the terrific support of the Santas and the crowds of people who came to welcome us,” said the ride organiser.

“Thank you all so very much. Special thanks to the PSNI, the media and every person who helped in any way to make the day such a wonderful success. God willing, we’ll see you all next year on Saturday, December 2nd.

“As usual, all proceeds will be going to Kulama Uganda Village Project. I wish you all a very happy Christmas and peaceful New Year.”

NORTHERN Region event riders Emma Newsam, Jonny Steele and Lucca Stubington will be among those competing in the Treo Eile Pro-Celebrity team show jumping challenge at the Emerald Equestrian Centre, Enfield next Thursday evening, December 15th.

Emma will be riding the unraced Siberian gelding Kilcooley Michael who she competes at CCI3*-L level; Lucca will be on board the former Stuart Crawford-trained Kessler, a seven-year-old Flemensfirth gelding who finished well down the field in two bumpers in 2020 but has been placed in three of his four starts under Eventing Ireland rules; Jonny rides the 10-year-old Trans Island mare Cantseeforlooking who failed to worry the judge in two runs in bumpers and two on the flat for the Anthony Mulholland yard.

Dual champion apprentice Dylan Browne McMonagle, who is mentioned elsewhere in this page, will be on the Blackbeards team with Emma.

Dylan rides the five-year-old Camacho gelding Cobb And Co who was initially trained by his boss, Joseph O’Brien, then by Michael Grassick and finally, before retiring in June last year, by Paul Stafford.