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Press Releases
26.07.07
BALLYGRAFFAN RUNS KINDERGARTEN FOR YOUNG HORSES!
Ballygraffan Hosts Future Event Horse League Qualifier
On Wednesday 25th July, Ballygraffan, for the first time, hosted the fourth of eight qualifiers being held across Ireland for the Future Event Horse League (FEHL) competition. Winners will not only compete in the finals at Tattershalls on the 22nd September 07, but also have the opportunity to qualify for the Young Event Horse Class at the prestigious Dublin Horse Show at the RDS in August this year.
A unique course was set out by June Burgess, event host, though holding strictly to the guidelines of the FEHL requirements for testing the three disciplines of each competitor. The beauty of Ballygraffan, located near Comber, Co. Down, is that the combination of flat fields and rolling hills perfectly accommodated the necessary tests, the weather conditions surpassed expectations, and added to a fantastic competition.
The competition for four and five year old horses is known as the Kindergarten
for potential international event horses. The aim is to identify the best
Irish –bred horses which might, in the future, continue to contribute
to the notability of the Irish Sport Horse on the world stage in the sport
of eventing.
With eighty contenders across the two classes, the horses were challenged
in all areas, and all will have learnt from their experience. Local rider,
Tanya Smith from Templepatrick, riding Sumas Erica a four year old, commented,
“ This was a challenging course asking some big questions…
it allowed me to open the horse up and show off the gallop…it’s
really been a fantastic day”.
Qualifiers in the four year old section were, in first place, Patrickwell
Maximus ridden by Louise Lyons and second was Amacuzzi ridden by Stuart
Crawford. In the five year old section, in fist place was, Carrick Jewel
ridden by Katie O’Sullivan and second place went to Park Playmate
ridden by Daisy Duggan.
Ronnie McMahon, organiser and one of the founders of the event said; “Ballygraffan
held no surprises for us, the 2 day event held here in April is always
superb, and everything here today has been organised fantastically”.
At the end of the day, competing and visiting riders were invited to
enter the Speed Derby, with their horses of six years and over, this fun
and very entertaining competition was won by Joseph Murphy, who took a
clear round in the fastest time riding Strictly Business.
Jim & June Burgess, event hosts, were delighted with the outcome,
“It was a great day, the course added to the education of the young
horses…the event was well supported and thankfully the weather held
up”. Said June Burgess.
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