Waterford Hunt Branch

Scroll down through the page to read reports and view photos.

Hunter Trial League

Results of Hunter Trial League Spring 2010

Joint 1st & 2nd Louise Kent & Anna Kent
3rd Jayne McGuire
4th Ella Quinlan
5th Ali Browne
6th Robert Kent.

IPC Area 3 Showjumping League Final

Ryans Equestrian Centre, Thurles, was the venue for the final of the IPC Area 3 showjumping league. The league which was organised by Kevin Bartley District Commissioner, Golden Vale Pony Club, provided keen competition for all members of Area 3 over the winter months. Each branch in the area, Golden Vale, North Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford and West Waterford, hosted a leg of the league and points were allocated at each venue for attendance and placings. The league catered for all levels from the young and novice riders to the more experienced advanced members.
The final started with the starter stakes, which gave the novice riders an opportunity to gain experience of competition in a fun environment. Eleanor Cunningham from Waterford was the worthy winner of the final and the league, followed closely by Eimear Darcy from Golden Vale in the final and Molly Thatcher, North Kilkenny in the league.

Young Peter Wall, Golden Vale, under the watchful eye of Dad Peter Snr, denied his young years by sweeping to victory in the 60cm class, ahead of Evelyn Farrell, Waterford on her new mount. It was Conor Hayes, Waterford who claimed the honours in the 60cm league, having consistently scored maximum points at each venue. Runner up spot went to Sarah Jane Hackett also from the Waterford Branch.

The 80cm final saw Ellen Brennan, Waterford, secure first place and claim the trophy for Waterford, ahead of Laura Finn. Evelyn Farrells consistency throughout the league was rewarded, when she just pipped the talented Lyndsey Dillon into second place.

Competition in the 90cm class was intense when seconds divided Sadhb Waldron and Mary Pat O’Sullivan both North Kilkenny, into first and second place respectively. Sadhb later pulled off the double by also claiming the 90cm league from Jayne McGuire, Waterford. Young Conor Houlihan who had been leading until the final saw one pole on the ground deny him the honours.

Experience came to the fore when Aoife Oates, Waterford, who had her last run before competing at Fontainebleau, France, claimed both the 1m and 1.1m final and league. Kieran Dunne, Golden Vale finished second in the 1m final and Lynn Ryan, Golden Vale was runner up in the 1.1m final and league.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL RESULTS

Area 3 Showjumping League - Report on Round 3

Round 3 of the Pony Club Area 3 showjumping league took place at Nuenna Farm, Freshford, hosted by the North Kilkenny Pony Club.

Waterford Pony Club was well represented in all classes and the standard is certainly improving as the league progresses. The postponement from the previous week due to the weather conditions, did not detract from the enthusiasm of all present and once again a great days sport was enjoyed by all competitors.

The Starter Stakes were the first competitors into the arena and Eleanor Cunningham kept the Waterford flag flying by recording two clear rounds and bringing home a red rosette. All the Starter Stakes competitors enjoyed refreshments courtesy of the North Kilkenny Pony Club and this was certainly well received.

The 60cm class followed with Sarah Jane Hackett, Evelyn Farrell, Ellie Cooney, Conor Hayes and Sarah Flynn, finishing on double clear rounds and achieving maximum points in the league. Sarah McCarthy was unlucky not to finish in the prizes but hopefully next week will see her in the ribbons.

The biggest class of the day was the 80cm class and the Waterford members to finish on maximum points were, Jane McGuire, Evelyn Farrell and Sarah Flynn.

Competition was intense in the 90cm class, with a jump off against the clock to decide the placings. Following his older brother Seans example in round two of the league, it was the turn this week of Conor Houlihan on his pony Cappucino to up the pace and with vocal encouragement from all the Waterford supporters take the lead mid way through the jump off. However Mary Pat O'Sullivan from the North Kilkenny Branch took a slightly tighter turn to the last fence, narrowly beating Conor into second place. Aoife Oates claimed fifth place on her new horse.

The 1m class was also decided by the clock and here Aoife Oates repeated her success from round 2 by taking first place on Chantelle. Sally McGuire finished a close third with Matt the Millar and Aoife also took fifth place on Molly.

The 1.1m class recorded only one clear round and this came from Aoife Oates on Chantelle. Aoife was also joint second on Molly.

Once again a great day for the Waterford Branch. With the final now taking place on the 22nd March, (please note change of date), the Waterford Branch now looks forward to round 4 which will be hosted by the Tipperary Branch in Belline.

Area 3 Showjumping League - Round 2

Weather conditions were somewhat kinder for round 2 of the Pony Club Area 3 Showjumping league, hosted by the Waterford Branch. A capacity entry once again enjoyed a great days sport at Ballinamona Equestrian centre, with all branches in the area represented.

Showjumping course builder and judge, Noel Phelan built a testing, but fair course for all the competitors, which resulted in some excellent jumping throughout the day.

The competition kicked off with the Starter Stakes for the younger members. Eleanor Cunningham and Sam Driver both competed on their new ponies and together with the youngest member in the club, six year old Damien Farrell, gave the Waterford Branch a great start by finishing in the prizes.

In the 60cm class, Jessica Harty, Aoife Cusack, Sarah Jane Hackett, Conor Hayes and Lauren Browne, finished on double clear rounds and gained maximum points.

Clear rounds in the 80cm class were recorded by Jayne McGuire, Evelyn Farrell, Aoife Cusack, Ruth Cusack, Aine Treacy, Shauna O'Brien and Sarah Dowley.

The 90cm class saw Rachael Dowley, Sinead Wall and Jayne McGuire finish in the prizes in the jump off against the clock. Despite some very tight turns, Jayne was once again narrowly beaten into second place.
Aoife Oates and Sean Houlihan, completed double clear rounds in the metre class and young Sean Houlihan proved he is a force to be reckoned with, when finishing in 6th place with a very competitive time against the clock. Aoife Oates displayed her talent when claiming first place in the 1m and 1.1m classes for the home club, in a very strong class.

The branch is now in a very strong position, with a number of members on maximum points in the league, as we look forward to round 3 on 8th February, which will be hosted by the North Kilkenny Branch at Nuenna Farm.

Area 3 Showjumping League - First Round

Despite cold weather conditions, the inaugural round of the Irish Pony Club, Area 3 Show jumping league, hosted recently by the Golden Vale Branch at Ryan's Equestrian Centre, Thurles, enjoyed a very large entry.

The league which is organised by the five Branches in Area 3, Golden Vale, North Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford and West Waterford, is spearheaded by Kevin Bartley, District Commissioner, Golden Vale Branch. It will run over a period of four months and each Branch will host a leg of the league, with the final returning to Golden Vale on Sunday 29th March '09.

A large number of Waterford Pony Club members competed, and prizewinners included, Conor Hayes, Sarah Flynn, Sarah McCarthy, Eleanor Cunningham, Ellie Cooney, Sarah Jane Hackett, Charlotte Hackett, Ellen Brennan, Evelyn Farrell, Jayne McGuire and Sally McGuire. One of the most exciting rounds of the day came from Jayne McGuire, who was narrowly beaten into second place in the 90cm class, in the jump off against the clock.

The league is an ideal introduction to competitive show jumping for young and novice members and an opportunity for more experienced members to compete with other members in their area. All age groups and abilities are catered for, and classes include, Starter Stakes, 60cm, 80cm, 90cm, 1m and 1.10m. It is run on a points basis with points being awarded for attendance, clear rounds and placings. The points are on a cumulative basis, with double points being awarded at the final, which augers to be an extremely exciting competition. An array of prizes will be on offer to the prize winners.

The next round of the league will take place at Ballinamona Equestrian Centre, Waterford, on Saturday 24th January '09. This will be followed by North Kilkenny and Tipperary in February and culminating with West Waterford and the final in March. Full details are available from District Commissioners and Secretaries in each Branch.

back to top

Visit the Photo Gallery for more photos.