Saorise Sadderly Dalysgrove RC Dressage League
Huge thanks go to everyone who travelled from as far away as Benbulben RC in Sligo and from Castle Carraig RC in Clare on the artic Sundays of 7th and 21st of February to take part in the innovative Saoirse Sadderly Dalysgrove Riding Club dressage league in Ballygar, now in its second year.
So far eighty-eight tests have been ridden over two days with competitors coming from ten clubs. Dressage to music is proving to be a surprise hit with the competitors and spectators alike. Caroline Rushe of Dalysgrove RC and Marjorie Hardiman from Tonabrockey RC who won their dressage to music classes on the first league outing this year, inspired many others to take part last Sunday, where there were fifteen competing in the music classes.
Ballinasloe Riding club members Niamh Macken and Sylvia Braumberger showed their musical side with two wins in the dressage to music at Sunday’s leg of the league. Niamh made it a day to remember by also winning the advanced primary with Captain Smirnoff ahead of Dalysgrove RCs Sean O Neill on Barracuda, and Fiona Horrigan also for Ballinasloe on Zara go Lightly. Niamh is in a strong position to take the league title at advanced primary, as she is the only person to have won two legs of the league. The competition is still wide open at the other grades. At the primary grade Dalysgrove RCs Donna Murray on Troy and Club chairman John Miland on Myrah Morningstar have each won a leg of the league so far, with Helen Glynn for Dalysgrove RC and Monica Neilsen for Corrib RC not far behind. At Intermediate Marjorie Haridman and Creganna Clover for Tonabrockey RC were back on winning form as they bid to retain their title won last year. They will have strong competition from Katherina Synnott and Gurraun Baraka for Castle Carrrig RC who won the first leg of the league on the 7th of February, Serena Finnerty Castle Carraig RC and Tynagh RC’s Eileen Murphy are hot on their heels. With one win apiece at advanced intermediate Mark Field of Tonabrockey RC on Creganna Yankee and Margaret Hynes of Tynagh RC on Cottage Fire will have to battle to see who will bring home the trophies and rug on offer to the winner of each grade in the league. Castle Carrig RC riders Serena Finnerty and Katherina Synnott won the best-turned out prizes.
Two legs of the league remain, March 7th and the final on March 21st. The best two scores and the final score count for the league prizes.
