On Saturday 2nd November, Enniskillen Royal were in the arena again at The Meadows in Craigavon for the 4th of their 6 competitions.
This week, continuing the injury saga, we again only entered a Novice and an Open team – no Premier Class.
Our Novice team comprised: –
Rianna Mulligan on Marble, Lucie-Anne Abbott on Louie, Tiana-Grace Abbott on Valley Clover Dream and Natalie Somerville on Penny (a newcomer to the team, again as an injury replacement).
This was not to be our week at all, unfortunately. The course layout has begun to increase in difficulty as we pass the half way stage of the competition. A very technical course this week. Tiana-Grace and Valley Clover Dream led them out – some lovely jumping, but a few errors resulting in frustration for horse and rider. Next out was Rianna and Marble– a flying start. Keeping the speed up throughout the course they unfortunately clipped some poles which negated the speedy time posted. 3rd into the arena was Natalie on the ‘nothing will phase me ‘Penny. A sedate round on a borrowed horse, Natalie and Penny made it round with a couple of poles down also. Finally, Lucie-Anne and Louie. Another speedy round from these two, but with a few errors once again. Despite the poles down, the riders did well, the desire to complete the course quickly resulting in no clear rounds this week. Onwards and upwards!
Our Open Team comprised: –
Adrianna Hurst on Cheeky Blonde, Sasha Milne on Buddy, Patrick Williams on Coill Dearmad William and Sophia Williams on Clonlee Red River.
First to go in the line-up, Adrianna calmly took to the arena, guiding Cheeky Blonde round with ease, so producing an excellent double clear in approx. 30 secs. A very solid start. Next up was Sasha – after a good start, Buddy took umbrage at one fence, deciding he really didn’t want to jump. Sasha got him in hand, cleared the ‘unloved’ fence and continued on to complete the course. A frustrated duo!
Due to Patrick playing Rugby for the school, he and Sophia were slotted in at the very end of the class. After a dash up the Motorway, horses tacked and a very quick warm-up and learning of the course, Patrick and William were into the arena. Patrick was managing very well (feeling a back injury sustained in the Rugby), jumping strongly. 2nd last fence… pole down. You could see the frustration as they went through the finish line in 25 secs. Finally, to complete the team, Sophia and Clonlee Red River went in. Another strong ride in around 27 secs with just one pole down in the 2nd phase. Not to be for the ERGS teams today – however always learning, they’ll be back in a fortnight to try again.
As stated in the last report, due to a successful funding bid within the school, the ERGS riders availed of a coaching session during half term with Gabriel Tunney at the Ecclesville Centre. Everyone got a lot from this and were delighted with the quality of the coaching. My thanks to Shirley Bothwell for arranging this for the team and to Gabriel for squeezing us into his busy schedule. The riders will have another session to look forward to on the 27th November, prior to the last leg of the competition.
Again, thanks to all for their effort and commitment as usual – and naturally, a special thanks to the parents for their support (especially over half term).
