Connemara Ridden Classes, Dublin RDS 2016
On Thursday morning at Ring 2,it became apparent that in each of the usual 4 Connemara Ridden Classes, the previous years numbers had almost doubled. Obviously it’s great to see such a large turnout with so many more people now riding and competing their Connemaras. The decision was made to run each Class as two classes. simultaneously. This did raise some problems for Judges and spectator bewilderment tying to follow two Classes ridden and judged altogether in one Ring by two sets of Judges. Running order was Class 73 and Class 75 in the morning and Class 74 and 76 in the afternoon.
The 8am. Class 73 for 4 and 5 yr. old ponies, with 29 entries, had 7 prize winners lined up on each end of the Ring by the end of judging, with all placings duplicated. The Upper Section Red Rosette was won by Joanna Butler’s 5yr old mare Laerswill Lily (Laerkens Cascade Dawn), and rider Nicola Perrin.
The Lower Section Judge found her winner in Robbie Fallon’s 4yr old mare Cashelbay Kate by the Fallon’s homebred stallion Cashelbay Prince, ridden by Michael Harty,
The 2nd Class for riders over 17ys (Class 75) had a record breaking 32 entries filling the Ring. It seemed a difficult task for the announcer to comment on the two Classes at both ends of the Ring and by the afternoon Classes no commentary whatsoever was attempted. For this blogger, perched with camera at the Lower end (as it came to be called) of Ring 2. it became a hit and miss job to identify and photograph the ponies.
Nicola Perrin again took the Red ribbon in one of the Class 75s, riding the Mayo bred 6yr old dun gelding, Lilian’s Lad (Maghera Fada Lad) for owners Mick and Michaela Butler. Corrib Prince is the sire of Lorli Higgins’ Gelding Cluain Laragh Lad, ridden into 2nd place in this section by her daughter Emily.
The other Class 75 winner was the gelding, Monaghanstown Rory (Currachmore Cashel), 11yrs. Ridden by his owner Kate Rath Doyle. Monaghanstown Rory is by Currachmore Cashel.
Back to Class 74 with 24 entries, the first afternoon Class, for riders under 17. The 2014 winner again took the honours when Glencroft Aruba (Patty’s Bastian) was called into first place with her young rider Emma Byrne.
The Tierney family from Oughterard are the owners of the 7 yr old gelding, Moneyhill Beacon (Crusheen Comet) which was the Upper Section winner of Class 74, ridden into first place by Co.Galway rider Catherine Gorton.
Class 76, the final Ridden Class of the day in Ring 2 – with spectators surrounding the Ring packed in like poor old sardines – was filled with 13 of some of the finest ridden Connemara stallions of today. They were on their best behaviour, seemingly oblivious to the noisy music and brouhaha of the RDS Best Dressed Ladies afternoon. Three of the Team France stallions added to the competition this year, while preparing to compete in the International Connemara Performance day on Sunday. The winning stallion, Sophie James’ Shanbo Rory (Rory Rasputin) ridden by Emma James, was selected to take the Winner’s laurels and
Mary Leahy Hayden’s Derreyvenney Cruise (Cashelbay Cruise) ridden by Louise Lyons was the Reserve Sash winner in this Class 76. Pic on right with incorrect caption.
Eugenia Murray Cup. The balance, bone and movement of the 9yr old Shanbo Rory with Emma James, worthy recipients of the Eugenia Murray Trophy also. Chosen as Reserve Cup Champion was one of the Young Class 73 winners, Laerswell Lily in the expert hands of rider Nicola Perrin.
For Performance Hunter go to Dublin RDS 2016 and Stallion Parade and some Fringe RDS ’16, Gallery Stallion Parade and Fringe RDS ’16
© Niamh’s Weblog
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