Trophies at the National Championships!

‘The Coolroe Gold’ Perpetual Trophy is sponsored by Leinster TREC and awarded to the winner of the Open National PTV and CoP League. The winner is gained from all affiliated groups’ own leagues, with riders who take part in at least three legs being eligible. The Open is held at Level 2 difficulty and 2012 has been the first year for the competition.

The trophy has been named for one of Leinster TREC’s most prolific horses, Coolroe Gold (or Jake as he is known to his friends). Jake is ridden by Diana O’Huid, and the partnership has won (at Level 2) the Open Championships, Leinster Championships and has represented Ireland at the British Championships. They have also won a huge amount of smaller competitions that are too numerous to count!

Jake is now 24 and shows absolutely no sign of slowing down! Jake and Diana are also consistently placed in the top scores of the PTV, and most recently have also shown excellent CoP scores, so it is truly an honour to know this wonderful horse. Having been lucky enough to ride him a number of times, I can safely say he is one in a million, and all of us at Leinster TREC couldn’t imagine TREC without him!

The “Tara” Perpetual Trophy is proudly sponsored by Kerry TREC and awarded to the National Champion of the Novice Winter PTV/COP league. The shield is named after Tara , Mairead Moynihan’s horse, who is the only horse to have represented Ireland in two European Championships - England and Austria, as well as numerous competitions abroad and at home. Tara has been a great ambassador not only for TREC but for the native breed – the Irish Draught, she is one of the last foals from the famous sire - Cloverhill.

Tara has taken a break from competing for more important duties – breeding the future superstars of TREC! Thankfully she is still passing on her TREC skills by helping Mairead do a little bit of orienteering training with beginners to the sport and also teaching a few youngsters on how to behave while out on a route! Rosie – Tara’s first foal will be able to read a map too by the looks of it! Hopefully we may see a mother/daughter pairing in the future!

Both these wonderful trophies will be awarded to the winners at the National Championships, being held in Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare on the 21st and 22nd of July. Please note that rosettes to other placed riders will also be awarded.

Don’t forget also that the Grangeclare Cups will also be awarded again this year! Sponsored by Peter Mooney of Grangeclare Paddocks, Kells, Co. Meath, the top rider in each level at the National Championships will be awarded with these beautiful perpetual trophies. If won by the same rider three years in a row, the rider gets to keep the cup and Mr. Mooney will sponsor a new trophy!