Exciting times at Ravensdale Lodge

THERE was excitement aplenty at Ravensdale Lodge over the past couple of weeks with the thrilling 1.10m Summer Derby held at the centre as part of their summer show on Sunday 7th July.

This was quickly followed by the centre’s annual hosting of the FEHL league on Wednesday 10th July and the RDS qualifiers for Connemara Performances Hunter and Performance Irish Draught classes on Saturday 13th July.

Next week sees the second of Ravensdale Lodge’s one day events for Eventing Ireland on Saturday 20th July and this competition will play host to the Horse Sport Ireland young event horse classes while the track will be open on a “Go as you please” basis on Sunday 21st July from 10am.

Sunday 21st July also sees the running of the annual RDS ticket show which has been such a resounding success over the past couple of years. This unaffiliated show is open to all and will cater for both horses & ponies. There are some fantastic prizes on offer including a pair of RDS tickets for each class winner as well as prizes from some of the centres sponsors including Botanica International, Horse First & Mackins Horse Feeds, this show will have classes from 60cm up to 1.10m and a start time of 11am. Thrown in to the mix the centre has been running its usual leagues on Wednesday & Friday as normal, all in all it has been a busy period at Ravensdale Lodge.

The centre basked in glorious sunshine on Sunday 7th of July when there was a great attendance of over 170 combinations for the annual SJI summer show at Ravensdale Lodge.

For many it would be the last opportunity to jump this year in the Longines main grass arena at the centre and the first class up for decision was the 90cm class and this class was divided among the eight combinations that went clear over the Ray Buchanan designed track.

Patricia Foley from Westmeath was double handed in the line up going clear on both Captain Blanco & Supreme Of Ballyglass, Patricia was joined by Lucy Cloughan with Bonaughlin Little Condy, Aimee O’ Farrell with Mn Cascadeur, James Griffin with Craigmore Hughie, Aislinn Lambe with Balustree Luxadun, Rachel Moran with Paramount Rudy & Eleanora Cunningham with Samba Dancer.

Course specialist, Eleanora Cunningham won the 1m class in fine style on her ever consistent grey mare Holly Balloo. Cunningham’s time of 33.63 was nearly five seconds ahead of second placed Patricia Foley with Supreme Of Ballyglass who finished on 38.11 seconds while April Mc Crea from Mayobridge in Co. Down slotted into third place on her own April Boy on 39.89 seconds.

Angie Mc Keown came home fourth riding her own Carrickview Diamond while Nicky Galligan teamed up with a pair of Judy Murphy owned horses, Java’s Holly & Java’s True Colours to take fifth and sixth places respectively.

There was a very competitive 1.10m class up next for decision with Helen Parson – Murray taking the honours on board her own Cyrano Buttercup in a time of 37.25 seconds.

Helen had the luxury of two rides in the class and handily slotted her other horse, I Aint No Tinker into third place on 40.21 seconds guaranteeing her the lion’s share of the prize fund.

Splitting her two horses was Alexandra Clarke on Victoria Clarke’s Red Curacao on a time of 39.50 seconds, Isla Savage came home fourth riding Least Said while Red Bird Point ridden by Stephen Mahon slotted into fifth place. Stephen Gibson with Milford Cool Flyer came home in sixth place.

The 1.20m class was won by Carol Armstrong on her own Cornascriebe Cava Diamond in a time of 36.96 seconds. Stephen Mc Manus was in the money again, this time riding Seeva De Haar, the combination stopping the clock on 38.25 seconds while local owner Marie Quigley lifted some prize money on home turf when Hannah Joyce slotted Castleroche La Roche into third place in 33.76 seconds.

John Floody warmed up for the big class by slotting Kieran Kings chestnut gelding Kings Best into fourth place, Stephen Mc Manus was on form again and slotted Red Bird Point into some money by finishing fifth while Marcus Buser finished sixth on his own Jedai Des Salines.

Slane Co. Meath based John Floody has had a couple of great years since he teamed up with Kings Best who is owned by Newry businessman Kieran King and Ravensdale Lodge is their home venue when it comes to schooling and shows.

Understandably there was a huge roar from the crowd when the combination won the 1.30m class as owner, horse and rider would have great support from all who attended the show.

Floody and Kings Best won the class in a time of 33.06 seconds some two and a half seconds quicker than the second placed combination of Rachel Thompson and Frankie Goes Cruising whose time of 35.80 was just a fraction ahead of Victoria Clarke who rode her own Sumas El Greco into third place breaking the beam in 35.95 seconds. John Floody was in the ribbons again, this time aboard Eileen Duggan’s talented Bronson De Reve to take fourth, Tom Hearne rode his own Pembrook Flight into fifth while Zoe woods and Without Permission filled sixth berth.

So as the sun lowered in the evening sky what turned out to be one of the most exciting competitions ever run at Ravensdale Lodge commenced, the 1.10m (S) Derby. The class had been well advertised and everyone who knows the Longines main grass arena at Ravensdale Lodge knows the Derby bank at the northern end of this massive arena.

A slight course change to introduce some of the Derby walls, fillers and fences attracted admiring glances from competitor and spectator alike and waiting at the bottom of the bank was a Hickstead style white fence with poles.

A course walk followed and shortly afterwards, when riders saw the course, instead of loading the lorries to go home competitors went to beg, borrow or stead a ride for the class. As the competition started the entries kept coming in as riders saw just how exciting the class was and John Floody who had no horse for the class ended up riding two as he relived boyhood memories of classes from the past.

Paul Carroll has had a couple of very good weeks at Ravensdale Lodge as he won the RDS amateur qualifier class at the centre a few weeks previous in starkly different conditions on June 22nd. Clear rounds were difficult to find as this different type course caught many who had a pole down but Carroll went round fastest, clear on the Carroll Produce LTD’s Caballero in a time of 93.65 seconds.

Talented young rider Aoife Dooley was second, negotiating the Derby bank perfectly to come home clear in a time of 103.38 seconds on board Leo Mc Sorley’s A Little Quickie. Another talented young rider, local girl Jessica Finnegan rode the course to perfection on her mother Denise’s Sunday Cruise to finish in third in the slightly slower time of 108.33 seconds.

The only other clear round came from Elizabeth Irvine whose time of 112.32 was good enough for fourth. One thing that can be said about the winner of the previous class John Floody, when he gives it a go it is spectacular to watch and he had everyone on the edge of their seats as he went like a bat out of hell up the hill and down the Derby bank as if he was riding in the Epsom version! Every possible turn was taken as he kicked on but a pole on the ground and fifth place on board Janine Enion’s Blackmoor Heather belied the performance when the clock was taken into account, his time 86.45, some eight seconds ahead of the winning time.

Barry Murphy rode his own Lilux into sixth place and the smile on his face after the class spoke volumes as to how exciting and enjoyable it was for spectator and competitor alike. After the presentation of rosettes, prizes and rug the top six went to the top of the Derby bank for a photograph before racing on down the bank again for their victory lap. Beaming smiles and chat about when the next Derby class would be held were the order of the day, it is fair to say that this class will be talked about for quite some time to come, certainly until the next one!

Week ending 7th & 14th July, results Ravensdale Lodge Equestrian & Event Centre.

            SJI registered horse & pony league Wednesday 3rd July.

 Horses: 90cm class, divided between: Aimee O’ Farrell’s MN Cascadeur (A. O’ Farrell), Angie Mc Keown’s Penny’s Lagan (A. Mc Keown) & Janine Farrell’s Blackmoor Heather (J. Farrell).

1m class, divided between: Thomas R. Clements’ Karramiro Gold (T. R Clements), E. Mc Ardle’s Sillan Coevers (J. Floody), Deirdre Valley’s Flagstaff Dream (D. Vallely), Sheikh Samir Mirdad’s Mirdad’s Hawa (J. Floody), Lynn Patterson’s Cujo (L. Patterson), Cathal Tuite’s Hi Dude (C. Tuite) & Janine Farrell’s Blackmoor Heather (J. Farrell).

1.10m class, divided between: J. Wedlock’s Western Beach (L. Knight), Siobhan Hanratty’s Wonella (S. Hanratty), L. Johnston’s Creevagh Cashmere (J. Blair), Carroll Produce Ltd’s Shalamar Montana (L. Carroll), Leah Knight’s Hustle & Flow (L. Knight), Jordan Byrne’s Van Reynie R (J. Byrne), R. Brown’s Cascum Seadam (A. Mc Entee), D. Hooton’s OMS Checker 5 (C. Gibson) & Siobhan Hughes’ Electric Butterfly (E. Hughes).

1.20m class, divided between: Keonan Stables Ltd’s Vilain Du Roulard (L. Rosbotham, P. Mc Parland’s Glen Diamond Lady (J. Floody), Joanne Jarden’s Creating A Storm (J. Jarden), P. Mc Laughlin’s Cliff (L. Rosbotham), Robert Frazers’ Sonas Magnum (R. Frazer), J. Wedlock’s Western Beach (L. Knight), Denise Finnegan’s Tommie Girl (J. Finnegan), Michael Mc Aleese’s The Sweeper (M. Mc Aleese), Keonan Stables Ltd’s Icarus (L. Rosbotham), Tom Traynor’s Zentus T (M. Mc Shane), R. Brown’s Cascum Seadam (A. Mc Entee) & B. Kelly’s Nimmus (B. Kelly).

1.30m class: # 1 Robert Frazer’s Sonas Magnum (R. Frazer) 35.05 seconds, # 2 Rachel Thompson’s Frankie Goes Cruising (R. Thompson) 37.52 seconds, # 3 Bronagh Kelly’s Nimmus (B. Kelly) 40.81 seconds, # 4 L. Johnson’s Maximus (J. Blair) 41.02 seconds), # 5 Owen Mc Camley’s My Little Diamonte (O. Mc Camley) four faults 40.25 seconds.

Ponies: 128 80cm class: S. Orr’s Lisnacappagh Dot Com (E. J Orr).

128 90cm class: D. Sloan’s Techon Master Bronze (Z. Sloan).

128 1m class: D. Sloan’s Techon Master Bronze (Z. Sloan).

148 90cm: No clear rounds.

148 1m class: No clear rounds.

148 1.10m class: L. Johnston’s Thorn (J. Johnston).

148 1.20m class: L. Johnston’s Thorn (J. Johnston).

SJI registered horse & pony league continues Wednesday 10th, 17th & 24th July (final). Classes 80cm (M) to 1.30m (M), start time 11am.

Horse & pony training league Friday 5th July.

X poles, divided between: Elise Dawson’s Charley (E. Dawson) & Sandra Cumesky’s Boswell Lad 9S. Cumesky).

60cm class, divided between: Elise Dawson’s Charlie (E. Dawson), Sandra Cumesky’s Boswell Lad (S. Cumesky), Ravensdale Lodge’s O’ Gara (E. Mc Cabe) & Eimear Blake’s Misty (E. Blake).

70cm class, divided between: Eimear Blake’s Misty (E. Blake), Rachel Mc Kee’s Buster (R. Mc Kee) & Ravensdale Lodge’s Mo (H. Mc Kinstry).

80cm class, divided between: Jane Richardson’s Zanadoo (J. Richardson), Lauren Greenaway’s Garnfrach Lynn (L. Greenaway), Ciaran Thompson’s Limerick Lady (C. Thompson) & Leanne Connell’s Poppy (L. Connell).

90cm class: Leanne Connell’s Poppy (L. Connell).

1m class: No clear rounds.

1.10m class: Cliodhna Breen’s Balka (C. Breen).

Horse & pony training league continues Friday 12th, 19th & 26th July (final). Classes from X poles to 1.20m, start time 5.30pm.

Arena eventing league Saturday 6th July.

60cm class: # 1 divided between, Jason Connolly’s Browno (J. Connolly) & Janet Cooke’s Croi (J. Cooke), # 2 Tina Laird’s Abby (T. Laird).

70cm class: # 1 Janet Cooke’s Croi (J. Cooke), # 2 Marina Hope’s Dodger (M. Hope) & # 3 Jason Connolly’s Browno (J. Connolly).

85cm class: # 1 Anne Mc Farland’s Madrigal (A. Mc Farland), # 2 divided between, Marina Hope’s Buster (M. Hope) & Stephen Martin’s Butterscotch Major (S. Martin).

1m class, divide between: Anne Mc Farland’s Madrigal (A. Mc Farland) & Karin O’ Hare’s Skylark (K. O’ Hare).

Arena eventing league continues Saturday 27th July (final). Classes 60cm, 70cm, 85cm & 1m, start time 12pm.

SJI registered summer show Sunday 7th July.

90cm class, divided between:  P. Cloughan’s Bonaughlin Little Condy (L. Cloughan), Aimee O’ Farrell’s Mn Cascadeur (A. O’ Farrell), Eleanora Cunningham’s  Samba Dancer (E. Cunningham), Jim Griffin’s Craigmore Hughie (J. Griffin), Patricia Foley’s Captain Blanco (P. Foley), Patricia Foley’s Supreme Of Ballyglass (P. Foley), Louise Carroll’s Balustree Luxadun (A. Lambe) & Rachel Moran’s Paramount Rudi (R. Moran).

1m class: # 1 Eleaonra Cunningham’s Holly Balloo (E. Cunningham) 33.63 seconds,# 2 Patricia Foley’s Supreme Of Ballyglass (P. Foley) 38.11 seconds, # 3 Wendy Mc Crea’s April Boy (A. Mc Crea) 39.88 seconds, # 4 Angie Mc Keown’s Carrickview Diamond 43.81 seconds, # 5 Judy Murphy’s Java’s Holly (N. Galligan) 54.62 seconds & # 6 Judy Murphy’s Java’s True Colours (N. Galligan) 57.76 1 time fault.

1.10m class: H. Pearson – Murray’s Cyrano Buttercup (H. Pearson – Murphy) 37.35 seconds, # 2 V. Clarke’s Red Curacao (A. Clarke) 39.52 seconds, # 3 H. Pearson – Murray’s I Aint No Tinker (H. Pearson – Murray) 40.21 seconds, # 4 F. J Savage’s Least Said (I. Savage) 43.49 seconds, # 5 G. Fletcher’s Red Bird Point (S. Mc Manus) 45.97 seconds # 6 D. Gibson’s Milford Cool Flyer (S. Gibson) 47.83 seconds

Ravensdale Lodge RDS Ticket Show &”Go as you please” Sunday 21st July.

 Ravensdale Lodge will be hosting its annual RDS ticket show this Sunday 21st July from 11am. This unaffiliated show is open to horses & ponies and will be held in the outdoor fibre sand arena which will be well watered in advance, all are welcome. Classes from 60cm to 1.10m with some fantastic prizes including a pair of tickets to the RDS for the winner of each class. Other prizes generously sponsored by Botanica International, Horse First & Mackins Horse Feeds. The centre will also be holding a “Go as you please” over the Eventing Ireland track from the day before on Sunday 21st July from 10am. There will be jump options for every level of ability up to 1* novice level. For further information on these or any forthcoming events please contact Ravensdale Lodge on + 353 (0) 42 9371034, + 353 (0) 87 2306603, email info@ravensdalelodge.com, log on to www.ravensdalelodge.com, follow us on facebook & twitter.