Craigantlet Riding Club

We had a lovely evening of relaxed dressage last night . Riding club is the place to come to just give it a go and have some fun! Fiona Young was our judge on the night and had a very competitive prelim class to mark after the intro. Scores were so tight in the prelim that 2 places had to be separated by the free walk score after finishing on the same mark and the same collectives! Well done to everyone and thank you for turning out yourselves and your steeds so beautifully . Huge thanks from all of the committee to those members who came out to help on the night. We could not have run it without you 😊. Results as follows:
Intro: 1st Valerie McKie on Zero
2nd Gala Rowe-Setz on Patrick
Prelim: 1st Karina McVeigh on Cococabana
2nd Emma Thompson on Nora
3rd Judith Bankhead on Keeva
4th Valerie McKie on Zero
5th Christine Hagan on Oscar
6th Nanette Glover on Bentley

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tuesday 18th June
Show Jumping Lessons Simon Jackson
@ Gransha Equestrian Centre
from 6.30pm
Max 4 per ride £20pp
**currently full**

Friday 21st June
Dressage Competition incl Dressage to music class
@ Birr House from 7pm
Intro A, Prelim 7, Novice 22 and Elem 40
£12 pp £15 for two classes

Friday 5th July
Dressage lessons with Lucy Adams
@ Birr House
Max 3 per ride from 7pm £28pp

https://horseandfield.substack.com/?r=3bd4kk&utm_campaign=pub&utm_medium=web

Craigantlet RC also getting mentions in the Horse & Field 😊

Horse&Field | Substack Straight from the horse's mouth. Click to read Horse&Field, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.

Super proud of all the members that represented us, both individually and as a team, at the SJ Championships earlier this month. We are a small club but our members and their horses are just fabulous and we are so grateful to have you all 🎉

Horse Week: Glorious sunshine for NI Riding Clubs Showjumping Championships NORTHERN Ireland Riding Clubs held their Showjumping Championships on Sunday 12 May.

The sun was shining today at Knockaghview for the Showjumping Championships, and what a day for Craigantlet Riding Club! ☀️

In the 70cm we had Leona Solan taking a fabulous 6th place. 🎉

In the 85cm we had Gail McKie Barnes taking an amazing 3rd place, with Leona Solan and Susan Hunter also jumping lovely rounds.

The day was rounded off with Team Competition with our Team of Leona Solan, Gail McKie Barnes, Susan Hunter and Claire Liddle all jumping beautiful rounds to finish in a fantastic second place!! 🥈🥈

Very well done ladies and a big thank you to our helpers Judith Bankhead and Gail Smyth and our Chef D'Equipe Christine Hagan.

Our next event, Clare Steele lessons on 24th May are fully booked however send us a whatsapp if youd like added to the reserve list.

Penny Polework/Gridwork on 2nd June has 1 space available to please enter via Whatsapp ASAP to secure your space!

The Craigantlet Commitee 😊

We had a super day of fun yesterday at our first working and ridden hunter competition of the year at Hilltop stables. Gail Smyth and the lovely Cosmo made their first appearance in a ridden class and gained great experience under the guidance of judge Violet Jackson. The ridden was a close competition with a wide variety of steeds ranging from a Patricia Martin’s beautiful young Connemara to Joanne Cairns ex eventer Ronnie. Much fun was had😊
The workers classes caused some excitement when Claire Liddles Molly took a stride out at the first part of the double after a trip in the 90s class, almost unseating Claire! But being the top rider that she is she gathered herself up and finished a lovely round. The 80s class saw the 2 big bays and ex eventers jump lovely clear rounds with Ronnie just pipping Barnaby to the post to take the win. The final class of the day was the 70cm where we welcomed back Hannah and Stompy following Hannah’s injury, and they came back in style to win the class with Valerie and Bugsy a close 2nd and Judith and her lovely young horse Keeva 3rd.
Huge thanks to Violet Jackson for casting her expert eye over the competitors and offering invaluable advice and to scribe Caroline McMillan. And massive thanks to Gail McKie-Barnes for all of these wonderful photos capturing the day. Final thanks to Briony for organising. Results as follows:
Ridden:
1st Joanne Cairns on Ronnie
2nd Valerie McKie on Bugsy
3rd Claire Liddle on Molly
4th Patricia Martin on Jackson
5th Gail Smyth on Cosmo
WH 90cm
1st Claire Liddle on Molly
WH 80cm
1st Joanne Cairns on Ronnie
2nd Leona Solan on Barnaby
WH 70cm
1st Hannah Danks on Stompy
2nd Valerie McKie on Bugsy
3rd Judith Bankhead on Keeva

2 very tired but happy horses and riders after tonight’s flatwork/dressage lessons with Jacky Reid. Lots of work on suppleness and exercises to make the horses (and riders!) think. We are so lucky to have Jacky as a member of our club. She brings her experience as a coach, a rider and a dressage judge to the lessons and we all came away with lots of things to practice at home. Thank you to Caroline at Birr for the use of the arena.

⭐ Member Reminder ⭐
This Sunday 28th April
Show-jumping competition @ Birr House 🐴

X-pole/50cm class, 60/70cms, 80cms and 90cms.
Starting at 2pm.

£10 for first class £5 for an additional class. (must be same horse and rider combo)
Enter via what's app and send payment via PayPal ☺️
Entries close Friday

**new programme of events for April/May**
please enter via whatsapp group and send payment via paypal to confirm spaces.

🌸Friday 19th April 🌸
Prix Caprilli League part 1 @ Birr House

7pm -£10
Class 1- just poles, Class 2- small jumps.
Prix Caprilli test 4- if you need a copy of the test sent please contact Briony.

🌸Sunday 28th April 🌸
Showjumping League Part 1 @ Birr House

League heights 60/70cms, 80cms and 90cms
a non-league xpole/50cm class will also be available for any young horses or nervous riders that want to come and have a go with no pressure.

2pm £10 for first class £5 for an additional class. (must be same horse and rider combo)
** we’d be grateful for any volunteers for course building from midday**

🌸Friday 3rd May 🌸
Flatwork Lessons with Jackie Reid @ Birr House
Get some insider dressage knowledge with Jackie. Flatwork lessons for all levels and abilities, a really great chance to find out exactly what judges are looking for on your next test.
£25pp with two riders per class.

🌸Sunday 5th May 🌸
Working and Ridden Hunter @ Hilltop Stables

12pm start
Ridden hunter class £8
Working hunter £10 60/70cm, 80cm and 90cm
£15 for both classes

** we’d be grateful for any volunteers for course building from 10am**

🌸Sunday 12th May🌸
NIRC Showjumping Championships @ Knockaghview

Individual and team classes available please contact a committee member for more details.

🌸Friday 24th May 🌸
Clare Steele lessons @ Birr House

£25pp, Max 2 riders per lesson.
from 6pm

🌸Sunday 2nd June 🌸
Penny Sangster lessons on gridwork/polework Stables (Leona’s)

£20pp, Max 3 riders per lesson.
*option of completely flat lesson no raised poles, please state preferred heights when booking*

We are absolutely delighted to share our outstanding results from today’s Northern Ireland Riding Club Dressage Championships.

Our competitors and their steeds arrived beautifully turned out and braved some extremely blustery conditions to shine today.

And… they also succeeded in bringing home some top placings on behalf of Craigantlet RC.

Congratulations to Claire Liddle who was 2nd in today’s Novice competition and to Joanne Cairns 4th place in the same class. Claire also received an outstanding ‘10’ mark for her perfect halt.

More joy ensued in the Prelim 13 class with Karina McVeigh securing 2nd and Jenni Watt 6th places.

Then onto Prelim 18 with Joanne in the prizes again!! This time a fabulous 3rd.

A big shout out to Christine Hagan who challenged herself to step up to Prelim level at Championships today and delivered a very pleasing performance at this level.

Thank you also to friends and family who came along to support and cheer on our competitors today and in particular to Valerie McKie who did an excellent job as our Chef d’Equipe.

And finally a massive thank you to the Liaison Committee and Knockagview EC for the significant planning and coordination that went on behind the scenes. This ensured a well organised and enjoyable event today. We really appreciate all you’ve done.

Leona

A message on behalf of the Craigantlet RC committee.

Sending our very best wishes to members participating in the NIRC Dressage Championships tomorrow at Knockagh EC.

Wishing

Sandra Murray
Karina McVeigh
Jenni Watt
Christine Hagan
Ellie Miskelly
Joanne Cairns
Claire Liddle

The very best of luck 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

Thank you so much for representing Craigantlet Riding Club. What an incredible number of entries. We’re so proud of you.

Have fun everyone!!!

Huge thanks to Valerie McKie who has very kindly agreed to be our Chef d’Equipe tomorrow.

Looking forwards to seeing you all there.

Leona 😊

Last night saw the final of our Spring Dressage league at Birr house. We welcomed back Corey Mawhinney to judge and decide who would be the league winners! There were some nerves on the night but smiles at the end 😃. Results on the night for week 3 as follows:
Intro C
1st Judith Bankhead on Keeva,
2nd Sheila Robinson on clover
Prelim 13
1st Susan Hunter on Aero
2nd Christine Hagan on Oscar
3rd Judith Bankhead on Keeva
4th Gail McKie on Bugsy
Novice 24
1st Claire Liddle on Molly
2nd Valerie McKie on Bugsy
League Results
Intro
1st Judith Bankhead on Keeva
2nd Sheila Robinson on Clover
Prelim
1st Susan Hunter on Aero
2nd Gail McKie on Bugsy
3rd Christine Hagan on Oscar
Novice
1st Claire Liddle on molly
2nd Valerie McKie on Bugsy
Elementary
1st Jacky Reid on Hugo
Well done everyone and thanks to our judge, scribe and helpers last night 👏

‼️ Entries close on Wednesday 3rd April at 6pm‼️

🌟🌟Spring Dressage League Final 🌟🌟
Friday 5th April at Birr House 7pm, warm up from 6.30. Tests are Intro C, Prelim 13 and Novice 37A. Prelim 17A and 18 are available on request for those wanting to practice for the c’ships. £10 for 1 test, £15 for 2. All members welcome with rosettes on the night. The best 2 scores from the 3 parts of the league will count towards final placings

🌟🌟Spring Dressage League Final 🌟🌟
Friday 5th April at Birr House 7pm, warm up from 6.30. Tests are Intro C, Prelim 13 and Novice 37A. Prelim 17A and 18 are available on request for those wanting to practice for the c’ships. £10 for 1 test, £15 for 2. All members welcome with rosettes on the night. The best 2 scores from the 3 parts of the league will count towards final placings

‼️ Final reminder for entries for NIRC dressage c’ships at Knockagh on Sunday 7th April. Can you please let us know by the end of this week if you are planning on entering

A huge welcome to all our new members joining this year - for anyone still on the fence, or renewing members from last year, the cutoff date the year
is the 31st of March so don’t hesitate! Join today!

Some photos from this evening’s lessons with Clare Steele at Birr House this evening. Lots of hard work yielding impressive results. Great to see some of our new members joining in the fun too!

Thanks as always to Caroline for use of indoor facilities on a chilly night. And thank you to Clare Steele 🐴

Best of luck to any of our members out competing this weekend ⭐

⭐**Spaces in upcoming lessons and events**⭐

15.03.24 Flatwork lessons with Claire Steele
*fully booked* waiting list available

26.03.24 Show Jumping lessons with Simon
*1 space* at lower jumping level
*1 space* at higher jumping level

05.04.24 Spring Dressage League Final #3/3
*Entries open*

07.04.24 NIRC Dressage Championships
*entries open*

09.04.24 Show Jumping lessons with Simon
*Spaces at all levels*

19.4.24 Prix Caprili #1
*Entries open*

12.05.24 NIRC Showjumping Championships
*Entries open*

As a reminder, you must be a member to participate in club events. Membership for 2024 closes on 31st March 2024, so still a few weeks left to join our welcoming club.
New and rejoining members can join here:
https://britishridingclubs.sport80.com/public/wizardla/1586/home

🌸🌸New Spring ‘24 programme 🌸🌸

Before I share the wonderful plans we have for all of you the over the next few months, I must ask for any time you can give to help volunteer at our events. For the upcoming championships we must send 2-3 volunteers dependings on our entries, and we also rely heavily on volunteers ourselves to run each event. So if you think you could spare an evening to hand out teas and coffees, scribe, score or help with course building please let us know!

🌸Friday 1st March 🌸
Flatwork Lessons with Claire Steele @ Birr House
£25 pp- two per ride
**1 Space remaining**

🌸Sunday 3rd March 🌸
Polework Lessons with Penny Sangster @ Elaine McKee’s
£20pp- 3 per ride
**Full- cancellation list available**

🌸Friday 8th March 🌸
Positive Mindset Training with Penny Sangster @ Leona’s
£20pp
few spaces remaining - 7.30pm
no need to have attended other sessions.

🌸Friday 15th March 🌸
Flatwork Lessons with Claire Steele @ Birr House
£25 pp- two per ride
**2 Spaces remaining**

🌸Tuesday 26th March 🌸
Jumping Lessons with Simon Jackson @ Gransha
6.30pm and 7.30pm
£20pp- max 4 per ride
please state preferred height when booking and times will be assigned accordingly.

🌸 Friday 5th April 🌸
Dressage League Final @ Birr house
Tests will be same as those at the RC Championships.
Plaiting not required but we do ask for smart turnout as it’s a league final.
7pm - £10 for one class, £5 for any additional classes.


🌸Sunday 7th April 🌸
NIRC Dressage Championships @ Knockaghview
additional details to follow when confirmed.

🌸Tuesday 9th April 🌸
Jumping Lessons with Simon Jackson @ Gransha
6.30pm and 7.30pm
£20pp- max 4 per ride
please state preferred height when booking and times will be assigned accordingly.

🌸Friday 19th April 🌸
Prix Caprilli League 1 @ Birr House
7pm -£10
Class 1- just poles, Class 2- small jumps.
test tbc

🌸Sunday 12th May🌸
NIRC Showjumping Championships @ Knockaghview
details to follow

🌟 2 spaces left at 8pm this Friday night for Clare Steele flat work lessons 🌟

‼️Upcoming Training‼️

Fri 1/3/24…..back by popular demand!👏👏👏
Flatwork lessons with Clare Steele. These will run at 6pm 7pm and 8pm, with 2 per ride, at Birr House. Cost £25. Please indicate dressage competition level, so that rides can be planned.
**limited spaces available**

Sun 03/03/2024 –Gymnastic lessons with Penny Sangster
1 hour lessons with Penny. Suitable for all – please state your preferred height while booking and you will be placed in a suitable group. Maximum 3 per group.
Elaine McKees – 9:30am, 10:30am and 11.30am– £20pp
**3 spaces still available **

Last night saw round two of our Spring Dressage League.

Impressive tests all round, with baby horses showing steady improvement and growing in confidence, and our more experienced partnerships challenging themselves by moving up a level and rising to the occasion.

What a great foundation for the year ahead.

Well done everyone and now the very well deserved thank you’s…

To our lovely judge Corey Macwhinney and super scribe Karina Mc Veigh who kept the scoresheets and encouraging comments flowing at pace.

Then a big shout out to Megan and Briony for all their help and support not only on the ground, but with the warm-up, scoring, catering, rosette distribution, helping to keep everything on track and moving at pace.

Caroline for providing us with the absolute luxury of an indoor arena on a wet February night.

Finally those friends, family and cheerleaders who came out on a damp and miserable February evening to encourage and support our competitors.

And now the results …

Intro C
1st Patricia Martin - Jackson
2nd Judith Bankhead - Keeva
3rd Sheila Robinson- Bonnie

Prelim 2

1st Susan Hunter - Aero
2nd Gail McKee - Bugsy
3rd Judith Bankhead - Keeva
4th Patricia Martin - Jackson

Novice 24
1st Claire Liddle- Molly
2nd Joanne Cairns- Ronnie
3rd Valerie McKie- Bugsy

Elementary 50
1st Jacky Reid - Hugo

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and hope to see you all soon.

Leona

Times for dressage round 2 Fri 16.2.24

Intro C
7.00 Sheila
7.07. Judith

Prelim 2
7.20. Judith
7.27 Susan
7.34. Gail

Novice 24

7.50. Claire
7.57. Valerie
8.05. Joanne

Elem 50
8.15. Jacky

The outdoor is available for warming up, but not for lunging.
A short break has been put between classes to allow a quick warm up in the indoor prior to the tests.
See you all Friday.

Fri evening saw the first round of our spring dressage league, though going by the temperature, and the “Nanook of the North” apparel of our members, you’d have thought it was the Arctic challenge!

Our judge, Coreen Abernathy, ably assisted by scribe Karina McVeigh, saw new combinations, horses back from injury, and regular competitors coming down the centre line, with some great scores being achieved.
In Intro, Christine Hagan on Oscar took the red, ahead of Judith Bankhead on Keeva…..first dressage test for this 4 year old.
Prelim was a close class, with the results as follows -
1. Gail McKie on Bugsy
2. Susan Hunter on Aero
3. Nanette Glover on Bentley
4. Christine Hagan on Oscar
5. Judith Bankhead in Keeva
6. Michelle McCallum on Oscar.

Gail hasn’t ridden a dressage test in 5 years….well done Gail…..this must be be the way to go🤣🤣

In our novice class, the win went to Claire Liddle on Molly….lovely to see you back out competing….just ahead of Valerie McKie on Bugsy. Well done ladies.
Our sole elementary rider was the consistent Jacky Reid on Hugo, who produced a lovely test at this higher level.

A big thankyou to Coreen and Karina, to Leona for stoically doing the scoring all evening, and to Leona and Judith for the welcome hot drinks and baked goods.

Second round is next Friday, so get those entries in….our programme for Feb and March is out on our club Facebook and WhatsApp sites.

We forgot to take photos, so here’s a nice one of Keeva, to mark her first dressage🤣🤣

Dressage times for friday

Intro.
7.00… Sheila
7.06…Christine
7.12… Judith

Warmup indoors if required

Prelim.
7.20… Judith
7.26… Nanette
7.32… Christine
7.38…. Gail
7:44... Susan
7:50 … Michelle

Warmup indoors if required

Novice.
8.10… Claire
8.16… Joanne
8.22... Valerie

Elem.
8.30... Jacky

🌸Event Reminder- Spring League 🌸

League Week 1
Fri 9/2/24 7pm @ Birr House
Warmup available from 6.30pm
Tests are Intro A, prelim 12, novice 28 and elem 44.

League Week 2
Fri 16/2/24 7pm @ Birr House
Warmup available from 6.30pm
Tests are intro C, prelim 2, novice 24, elem 50.

Entry costs £10, with an additional test charged at £5. If entering more than one class, your lower level will be used for league placing.

🐴🐴🐴CRC Events Programme for Feb and March.🐴🐴🐴

👋👋. Hi to all our current and new members. Now that membership is running smoothly….whew!…..we can race ahead with our programme of events for Feb and March. Just to remind you all, that you must have renewed your membership, or joined the club through British Riding Clubs Sports80, before you can enter any of our events….this is for insurance reasons.

Payment for events should be made through the club PayPal account, [email protected]. When you log in, you’ll see our black circular club logo, and the name Briony Walsh, who administers the account. Please include the events and their dates, and the classes you want to compete in.

February events.🐎🐎🐎🐎

Fri 9/2/24…..first round of spring dressage league. Tests are IntroA, prelim 12, novice 28 and elem 44. £10 for first test….if you wish to do a second test, it’s an additional £5. The higher level test will be used for league points with the lower test being HC. Tests from 7pm, indoors at Birr House……warmup outside weather permitting.

Fri 16/2/24…..round 2 of the spring league. Tests are intro C, pre lim 2, novice 24, elementary 50. Cost and details as above. All tests are BD.

For renewing members, please note that if the same horse and rider combination has won a league two years in a row they must chose to either move up a class for the following year or enter the same level HC.

An exception may apply if league numbers were two or less.

The moving up rule will apply for one year- then the rider may choose to re-enter the same level for the following year.

March Events🐎🐎🐎🐎

Fri 1/3/24…..back by popular demand!👏👏👏
Flatwork lessons with Clare Steele. These will run at 6,7 and 8pm, with 2 per ride, at Birr House. Cost £25. Please indicate dressage competition level, so that rides can be planned.

Sun 03/03/2024 – Polework lessons with Penny Sangster
1 hour lessons with Penny. Suitable for all – please state your preferred height while booking and you will be placed in a suitable group. Maximum 4 per group.
Elaine McKees – 9:30am and 10:30am – £20pp

08/03/2024 – Confidence Training (2/2) with Penny Sangster
The second in a 2-part series by Penny Sangster - this session is covering Mindset Clinic #2 - Positive Mindset & How Our Brains Work. Limited spaces available.
Carrowreagh Stables – 7:30pm - £20pp

Fri 15/3/24….second of our flatwork lessons with Clare Steele. Same costs and details.

Your committee is constantly looking for additional events to offer the club. Please keep an eye on the club page, and WhatsApp group for any changes, and additional events. We welcome requests and suggestions for events and competitions that you’d like to see run….we’ll do our best!

Looking forward to seeing old friends and new out with their horses in coming weeks👌👌👌🐎

Finally! 🎉
We had our lovely AGM & Prize giving last Sunday and we are delighted to open our 2024 membership!

New and returning members can follow the link below to join:
https://britishridingclubs.sport80.com/public/wizard/a/1586/home

We look forward to an enjoyable 2024 with you all!

Craigantlet Riding Club

Sport:80 | Investing in Sport

‼️Event Reminder ‼️

Friday 26th Jan @ 7pm

In-hand Showing Demo with Megan McOuat

Have you ever thought about giving "in-hand" showing a go? Expand your equestrian horizons and add a new string to your bow. Join us to learn more about the art of in-hand showing. Megan McOuat will share hints and tips and demonstrate the skills required with volunteers at different stages of their careers/training.
Birr House - £5pp to include refreshments

*open to all members, current membership still valid until end of jan. Still some issues with new online platform which will be resolved soon. New and rejoining memberships will be open shortly.*

🌟 We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated prizes for the ballot at our prize day yesterday. Your generosity helped us to raise £600 for the Ulster Hospital ICU in memory of Debbie Osborough 💕. Thanks go to the following: Clare Steele, Penny Sangster, Simon Jackson and Jacky Reid for lessons; Hilltop stables, Birr House and Elaine McKee for arena hire vouchers; Equisuds equine laundry, Peartree Cottage Cattery, Moorestown Equine services , Nanette Glover, Hannah Danks, Wendy Monteith, Karina McVeigh, Sheila Robinson and all the ladies on the committee. If I’ve missed anyone drop a comment or pm us.