Report Lullymore EC 17.7.16

Many thanks to Celia Taylor for this report:

Sunday 17 July saw the third leg of the TRI Equestrian/Leinster TREC MA/PTV League. The competition was held at Lullymore Equestrian near Rathangan, Co Kildare. A really ideal venue for TREC as there is an all-weather cross country track with plenty of TREC type obstacles such as water-crossing, bank, step-ups, drops, logs and other challenges. Previous events at Lullymore have been held in snow and torrential rain, but Sunday was a beautiful sunny day which added greatly to event. The Lullymore personnel were incredibly helpful, especially in clearing the track for us to assemble our obstacles.

Nineteen riders participated on the day. Sadly just one Open rider, Vicky McMullen, who, along with her mum, Liz Burbage, is preparing to travel to the UK for the TREC UK British Championships. Vicky and Garnagree Duke had a great round and found it useful practice for the Brits.

There was stronger competition in the Intermediate section which saw slightly lower fences and slightly wider corridors, but was otherwise much the same as the Open. Maura Walsh achieved a remarkable First and Second on two different horses, Shakespeare and Foaly. Third was Siobhan French (Choral), Liz Burbage was fourth on The General’s Daughter, Johanna Gilligan and Foaly were fifth, and sixth place went to Susanne O’Rourke and Apache.

Errors of course made a big difference to the placings in the Novice section. Several experienced competitors were caught out by the twists and turns of the course, designed by Paula Donhoe and Celia Taylor. Margo Monaghan did a picture-perfect round on Ben to win, followed by Karina Kerrigan on Sinatra (second) and Jean Robinson, also riding Sinatra. Heather Egan was fifth on Brasso and Emma Robinson sixth on Fletch.

The day was rounded off with the presentation of rosettes and lovely prizes sponsored by TRI Equestrian.

As always there were many helpers and judges, both riding and non-riding, much appreciated by the organisers, and this ensured that the event ran on time, and was good fun for all.