ELEVEN riders with 12 horses, split into three groups of four, attended a Treo Eile show jumping clinic with Horse Sport Ireland Level 3 coach Ian Fearon last Saturday afternoon at the Mullingar Equestrian Centre.

One of a series of 10 clinics, sponsored by Randox Health and promoted as one of three ideally suited to those targeting the Treo Eile Show jumping Classic at Emerald Equestrian on Thursday, December 14th, Saturday’s leg was sold out in a single afternoon once advertised.

“I met Ian last year when he was judging at the Stepping Stones To Success league at Wexford Equestrian, where they also ran a Treo Eile-sponsored thoroughbred class,” said Anne O’Connor, executive officer of Treo Eile, which is based in the National Equine Innovation Centre at the Irish National Stud.

“In conversation, he offered to do something for us, so I rang him when I was planning our autumn show jumping clinics and he agreed to take one. The response from riders was immediate and it was also great to see people come to view the clinic on foot, such as Fiona Wentges, Dot Love and Charlotte Walsh.

“Ian is a great believer in canter pole work and commenced each session with this, progressing to a canter pole to a single fence. He focused on the rider’s position and the rhythm of the canter and on riding correctly on the flat between fences to benefit the jump. All were blown away with Ian’s training and we were lucky to get him with his busy schedule. His positivity towards what we are doing is inspiring.”

Former-racehorse

Fearon used to show jump the former-racehorse Power Loom back in late 1980s and early 1990s.

“He wasn’t really making it as a racehorse but, as a show jumper, he was neat, careful and quick, with a lovely brain. He was a dependable clear round jumper and was always in the money, including at the RDS, where he finished second in what was then the Chubb Lock championship.

“I very much enjoyed taking Saturday’s clinic, which was a first for me in that all horses were thoroughbreds,” continued Fearon. “I was really struck by the passion riders had for their horses and their willingness to learn. What I like to see is horses and riders improving through their engagement with me and that they are confident in what they are doing. I’m looking forward to seeing how those who are heading to the show on December 14th get on.”

The first of the pre-Classic clinics was held early this month at the Tipperary Equestrian Centre, Thurles, where Tomás Ryan was the coach, while the final one will be taken by Comdt Geoff Curran at Emerald on Saturday next, December 2nd. Two extra sessions have been added to that clinic to cope with demand.

Those who took part in Saturday’s clinic were: Group 1, Melanie Love (Paudi The Punter), Emma Jo Carolan (Masterson), Laura Tierney (Oscar Encore) and Candice Reusch (Tiger Twenty Two); Group 2, Patricia Newman (Cry Of The Dreamer), Rachael O’Callaghan (Justbecool), Suzanne Deeney Wylie (Dubai Flyer) and Caoifhionn Rynne (Country Of Poets); Group 3, Melanie Love (Double Speak), Rebecca McIntyre (Chubi Chekker), Annie O’Neill (Oiche) and Louise Duffy (Al Boum Photo).