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Northern Ireland Working Hunter Association Summer Championship Goes From Strength to Strength PDF Print E-mail

 

Northern Ireland Working Hunter Association Summer Championship Goes From Strength to Strength

 

The Northern Ireland Working Hunter Association (NIWHA) held their Summer Championship Show at Balmoral from Monday 18th – Wednesday 20th July 2011.
 
The NIWHA committee would like to thank their judges Mrs Gail Chapman, Ms Julie Crowley, Miss Aimee Hoare and Mr Geoffrey Barrett, all commented on the wonderful setting and high standard of animals presented. The committee were also ably assisted by Mrs Mary Hoare and Mary Barrett during the show. We would also like to thank Mr George Boyd and Mr John Irwin who generously gave their time to assist at the show. Not forgetting any one else who helped in any other way and our exhibitors for three very successful days showing. Thanks should also be extended to the sponsors Darren Leavesley ProSport Photography, Grace Lavery Equestrian News NI, Equisud, Horsefirst, Horseware, Old Manor Mill and Old Mill Saddlery. Without their support and generosity it would be impossible for the NIWHA to run such a show at Balmoral. Paul Glass from Stubbs Bistro Ballymena, once again provided excellent hospitality for judges and NIWHA committee and helpers.
 
As always the ridden horses and ponies fill the rings on day one of the show. The first championship of the day in Ring One saw Elaine Farley on the four year old gelding Master Diamond take the hunter championship and reserve champion was Jamie Smyth on the chestnut gelding Newferry Sovereign.
 
Then the cob championship with Lesley Webb on Robert Morrow's lovely black heavyweight Morrow's Marksman taking champion and reserve spot was Louise Dunlop's lightweight Cashel with Richard Wilson in the saddle.
 
The next championship was the riding horse and taking the champion title was Sylvia Henry on Olivander and reserve being claimed by Stephen and Tracey Byers five year old King's Master gelding Sam Brown with Jamie Smyth on board.
 
Racehorse to riding horse championship was next with Tori Dixon and Nicky Nesbitt's Giddy Up getting the champion pull and reserve was Louise McMinn on News Item.
Then the coloured class was won by Claire Steele on Cheque Mate and Midnight Reflection and Karina McVeigh was pulled into second.
 
The supreme ridden horse championship was next with champions and reserves from the hunter, cob and riding horse and first and second prize winners in the coloured and the veteran being called forward. The supreme champion went to the chestnut gelding by Amiro in Newferry Sovereign owned by Sam Smyth and ridden by Jamie Smyth. Reserve spot was filled by Elaine Farley on the four year old King's Master gelding Master Diamond owned by Mr Terry Johnston and second reserve was Clare Steele on the lovely coloured gelding Cheque Mate.
 
The first pony championship in Ring Two on Monday was claimed by the eight year old Eva McClurg from Broughshane on the bay gelding Haighend Aristocrat taking the show hunter pony championship, with Rebecca Gill taking reserve spot with Courtland Fair Change.
 
The M&M championship saw Charlie Smiley's Section B Kiezershoek Fons with daughter Charlotte on board take champion and reserve was Hannah Thompson on Mr Tony Bell's shetland Barns Rosanna.
 
The show pony championship followed and taking champion was J&T Harper's six year old gelding Ravara Benjamin Bunny and Jodie Creighton and reserve was Ninfield Dream On ridden by Saintfield's Rachel Moore.
 
Mini championship was next with Jodie Creighton on J&T Harper's first ridden show pony Ravara Mrs Tiggywinkle claiming champion. Reserve champion was six year old Sam McClurg on the ever consistent Little Miss Foxy Loxy owned by Anita McClurg.
 
The final supreme of the day was for the overall ridden ponies. It was won by Jodie Creighton on Ravara Mrs Tiggywinkle, reserve spot was taken by the reserve placed intermediate Master Drumnaballey and Eamonn McGill. Charlotte Smiley with the grey Section B Kiezershoek Fons were called into second reserve supreme.
 
Tuesday saw the start of the working hunter classes, over a course built by Adrienne Stewart. It was an opportunity for the working hunter horses to show the visiting judges how it should be done. All four guest judges were extremely impressed with the superb new 'Horseshoe' feature fence, which proved a great challenge to both horse and rider alike.
 
The supreme champions were Alana Clegg and the highly thought of Highly Sprung. Lisa Dundee and Wizz were reserve after winning the 1.10 metres a few minutes before. The Spy Master and Nicky Nesbitt took second reserve to finish off a very successful day.
 
The final day of the show allowed working hunter pony competitors to shine, with some super jumping taking place in both rings. The title of Supreme Working Hunter pony was awarded to Jane Moore and the Novice Working Hunter champion Lisas Dream. Reserve spot on this occasion was awarded to Sarah Brittan with the 5 year old Section B Gelding Sparky Two. Earlier in the day this combination stood working hunter pony champions. Second reserve was awarded to Rachel Moore with her super 153cm Open Working hunter pony Fortview Toy Boy.
 

The NIWHA Summer Championships Balmoral 2011 proved to be the perfect stage for showcasing the best of showing and working hunter stock. The high quality of exhibitors was noted by our guest judges and we our delighted to announce that the number of entries has increased year on year, as the show goes from strength to strength. Thank you to every one for your support and hope to see you all next year.
Last Updated ( Monday, 12 September 2011 )
 
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