TREC Ireland Open Championships-May 24th-26th

Have you ever galloped your horse through a 3 metre willow field? There were a lot of ‘firsts’ for the Trec riders last week-end as tracuers Karen Murphy and Judi Goor tested the competitors with a wide variety of new experiences at the TREC Ireland Open Championships at Gurteen College, Ballingarry, Co.Tipperary on May 24th-26th. The orienteering phase took the L2-L4 riders through the winding trails of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. The route tested the competitors skills at map reading, compass work, pace and bravery. Good decisions were key and the young riders currently training for the Junior European Championships got a taste of what to expect in September. They performed well over the week-end with Katie Smyth and Annie O’Neill shining to take second and third respectively in the Level 3 competition. Ireland was hosting a leg of the European cup and top Trec rider, Britian’s Hilary Bernard established an early lead in the orienteering with Ireland’s Bambi Carroll a few penalties behind. On the second day, a near perfect performance by Bernard widen the gap and Carroll and German riders Anja Wendt and Betina Klingmuller had to fight for the minor placings. It is important to say here that Birr EC provided the German competitors with lovely fit horses, giving them a great experience and will hopefully entice more foreign competitors to our major competitions.

The Level 3 orienteering was technically challenging and Leinster Trec ‘s Celia Taylor kept a cool head to establish an early lead in the Orienteering. The second day she started with a strong performance in the control of paces and it was enough to see her triumph in the Level 3 Individual.

Young rider Katie Smyth on her coloured cob, Whitethorn Jack were the closest challengers to finish second in the strongest class of the competition. Level 3 pairs was won by the new combination of Amy Jackson and Karen Nicholson. It was great to see experienced international rider Amy back in the hi-viz, she and her cob, Gromit are always a formidable combination.

The Level 2 individual was won in style by Karen Reilly on her stunning grey Roxy, while Leinster Trec’s combination of Tara Creighton and Ailbha Gavin were unstoppable in the Level 2 pairs. Viv Kenny and Linda Navan both put in strong performances in the obstacle phase to take the lead and win the Level 1pairs.

This competition was remarkable. Trec Ireland is proud of the effort and result. Karen Murphy , her family and Midlands Trec really put together a great event with the help of Gurteen College, Mike and Judy Pearson,Birr Equestrian, Kinitty Castle, local landowners and of course Technical Delegate, Adrian Flynn. We would like to thank them for such a wonderful event. The routes and courses were challenging and fun, up to championship standard and beyond. The welcome was warm for both riders and judges, and every night there was a barbeque and chance to compare notes, relive experiences and make new friends. Thank you

Trec Ireland Open Championships May 24-26th- Results

Level 4( leg of European Cup) 1st Britian’s Harvey(Hilary Bernard) 2nd Ireland’s Marty Zee(Bambi Carroll) 3rd Germany’s Bruno(Anja Wendt) 4th Germany’s Black Jack(Betina Klingmuller)

Level 3 Ind; 1st Holly(Celia Taylor) 2nd Whitethorn Jack(Katie Smyth) 3rd Poppy(Annie O’Neill) 4th Leith Pimpernell(Mairead Moynihan) 5th Ballymaclune Johnny(Cassie O’Connell) 6th Ballymaclune Harry(Dede Clune) 7th Lisa Moore(Jo Dazzler)

Level 3 Pairs; 1st Gromit(Amy Jackson) and Ebony(Karen Nicholson)

Level 2 Ind; 1st Roxy(Karen Reilly)

Level 2 Pairs; 1st Zee(Tara Creighton) and Bob(Ailbha Gavin), 2nd George(Lorna O’Neill) and Fanta(Ciaran Smyth)

Level 1 Pairs ; 1st Mocha(Viv Kenny) and Dan(Linda Navan) 2nd Zaristo(Sheila Fuller) and Tim(Catherine Bartley) 3rd Frere Jacque(Margaret Lynch) and Little Grey(Irene Leahy) 4thAussie Rules(Fiona Walsh) and Rocky(Paul Walsh)