ShowsSouth Munster Dressage Festival
01/08/2009 - South Munster Region
South Munster Dressage Club held their summer festival on August 1st and 2nd at Maryville Stables, Carrigaline. It's been several years since the summer festival has been held over two days and a good entry ensure the success of the show in it's new format. Adding to the occasion was the inaugural running of Ireland's Under 25s Inter provincial dressage championships, and special sections at preliminary level for under age riders.
Visiting judge Sally Merrison from England oversaw most of the upper level classes. Two riders contested the small tour championship, Sarah Mellor (Fahrenheit) and Christiana Manoras (Tonka Wakkan). Less than a quarter of one percent separated the two horses after Saturday's tests but Manoras produced a sparkling test on Sunday to earn a score of 65% which clinched the championship for her.
Three riders contested the advanced medium class, with Sarah Mellor (Waltzing) on consistent form to win on both days and to claim the Advanced Medium Championship. Junior rider Bethany Mackey (Michigan) took second place both days and Elaine Potter (Winnes Hit II) filled third place in her debut at this level.
In the Medium section the Junior riders were very much to the fore on the Saturday. Tara ffrench (Roberto28) had a worthwhile trip from Co Galway to test 69 on 64.21% with Bethany Mackey (Michigan) in second place on 61.82 while Sarah Mellor and Waltzing had to be content with third. On Sunday it was all change at the top, with Elaine Potter (Winnes Hit II) claiming the red ribbon in test 73, Mellor in second and ffrench pushed into third place by a margin of 0.3%. However ffrench's consistent scoring across the two days ensured her of the overall championship - a very nice result for her last year as a pony rider.
Elementary classes were well subscribed on both days, which reflects the growth of dressage in the region. Young rider Anna Mary Hudson (Twist of Autumn) from Mayo won test 48 on 65.87% with Laura Lyons (Cuffesgrange Almost) in second place on 65.17 and another young rider, Tansy Greenlee (Jack Sparrow) in third with 64.83%. In test 53 on Sunday, Laura Lyons moved up a place to take first place and to secure the overall championship. Tansy Greenlee was second and Anna Mary Hudson was third.
Novice and Preliminary classes were the busiest of the day as is normal. With two classes at each level on both days these riders were kept busy for the whole weekend. Underage riders performed exceptionally well at both levels. The Novice tests on Saturday were test 25 and test 35, with test 35 counting towards the novice Championship. Co Limerick rider Kate Jarvey (Medallion Man) won test 25 with a score of 66%, with Jacqueline Walsh (Kilkeaney Sea Mist) in second and Rachel O'Doherty (Shesaclassact) taking third. Young Rider Maebh Kennessey (Snoop Dogg) claimed test 35 as her own, pushing Junior rider Bethany Mackey (Don Fernando) into second place. Co Cork based event rider Anna Dangerfield (Gold Tanzer) had to settle for third place, with another Young rider, Tansy Greenlee in fourth. Mackey and Don Fernando returned on Sunday with their eyes firmly fixed on the Novice championship and took first place in both test 30 and test 37. Rachel O'Doherty (Shesaclassact) and Lucy Millar (Winnetou) took second and third place respectively in test 30, while Anna Dangerfield made a big impression in test 37 by taking three of the top six slots.
The overall Preliminary championship went to Lucy Millar and Winnetou. Best unregistered rider at this level was eighteen year old Susie Moore (Wellinton) from Co Kerry and the best pony rider was fourteen year old Emer Creedon (Magneto Gold) from Carrigaline, who squeezed her cousin Emma Horgan (Jacky Chan) out of the way.
The interprovincial Under 25s team competition took place on Saturday. Teams were selected by Dressage Ireland Youth Club leader Bill Delahoyde, with riders nominating their team test at the start of the day. The winning team was the Munster Red team of Tansy Greenlee (Jack Sparrow) Maebh Hennessey (Snoop Dogg) Bethany Mackey (Michigan) and Christina Tarry (Tyn y Cae Goldkite). Close second was the Connaught team of Tara ffrench (Roberto 28), Anna Mary Hudson (Liberetto and Twist of Autumn) and Emma Lawrence (Beezie's Fudge). Munster also took the bronze medals with the Munster White team of Emer Creedon (Magneteo Gold), Bethany Mackey (Don Fernando), Aine O'Brien (Claragh Love) and Lillian Tarry (Bankswood Sorrell).
It is hoped that the Inter provincial competition will remain on the Dressage calendar for the future and that different venues throughout Ireland will host it each year so that it becomes accessible to riders form all regions.
Thanks to Bill Delahoyde who officiated at the prizegiving ceremony for the show. Thanks also to our hosts the Molen family who made everyone feel welcome for the whole weekend and to the dedicated helpers who kept everything running smoothly throughout.