Berney Bros Cross Jump is a Summer Success
Jamie Berney of Berney Bros Kilcullen rides Royal Silver Flight in the Intermediate Grade
The West Leinster region held their first cross jump competition this Sunday, 23rd May. The competition, christened ‘The Berney Bros Cross Jump’ thanks to the fantastic sponsorship received by Berney Bros Saddles in Kilcullen, took place at Calliaghstown equestrian centre in Rathcoole.
Cross jump is a mixture of show jumping and cross country obstacles. Unlike eventing, which is restricted to riding club members graded advanced primary and above, cross jump is open to all riding club grades allowing everyone to experience a taste of cross country. Calliaghstown proprietor Grainne Sugars designed the course which began in the venue’s outdoor sand arena and progressed into the neighbouring field before finishing back in the arena. The cross country course included obstacles such as barrels, logs, the Berney bank, the giants causeway, a table fence and a cottage which were allocated to different riding grades.
The West Leinster region were blessed with the weather as everyone basked in the sun on the day. With over seventy five entries in the competition it was an early start for some. The course walk began at 8.15am to allow competitors to learn the track.
The first class of the day was the primary which had just two entries. The first primary rider, Orla Fitzgerald from Greenhills riding club was up and ready to enter the ring at 9am to be the first rider of the day on the course. Orla and Toberton Misty had a few teething problems on the cross country course but they finished their first cross jump in one piece. Rosslyn Byrne was the second rider in putting in a great round with Dasher for Cheval riding club to win the class. Prizes for each class were supplied by sponsors Berney Bros Saddles in Kilcullen. The winner in each grade received an embroidered Berney Bros rug while other riders placed received Berney Bros saddle cloths, t-shirts and baseball caps.
Rosslyn Byrne and Dasher winning the Primary class
The course changed slightly for the Advanced Primary grade adding some extra cross country elements such as the giants causeway log pile, the Berney Bros bank which consisted of two steps up and a jump over a log and a barrel fence. With thirty seven entries the advanced primary class was the largest of the day. While there were several clear rounds the closest to the optimum time without going over it was Yvonne Hughes. Yvonne, from Broadmeadows riding club, competed on Little Hawke. In second place were Susan Kennedy and Wilson from Cheval riding club. It was a successful day for clubs from neighbouring regions as Claudine Kerr, also from Cheval riding club, placed fourth with Miss Tequila.
After a well earned break for lunch the competition got underway again with the Intermediate class. The intermediate class had another big entry with thirty one riders. In this class Andrea Watkins cleared the course in less than a second under the optimum time making her the definite winner. Andrea competed on Sweetie for Little Hill riding club. Sandra Parkinson from Calliaghstown riding club took second place in the class with Park Ria. Jamie Berney a member of the team at Berney Bros Saddles in Kilcullen also competed in the Intermediate class. Jamie, from Greenhills riding club, flew the flag for Berneys placing third in the class with Royal Silver Flight.
The course became even more challenging for the final two grades with the introduction of a large log pile and a treble fence which consisted of two uprights and a coffin element. The open class had just two entries. Ken Kavanagh from Phoenix riding club and Kevin McDonagh from Carrickmines riding club started off on the course. Ken and his horse Leroy won the class moving Kevin and Junket John into second place. The advanced intermediate class drew the competition to a close. With four entries in the class it was double celebration for Sheena Boran from Calliaghstown riding club. Sheena placed first and second in the class with Castlewarden Cisco and Eco Oisin respectively. The winner of the ‘Best Round of The Day’, judged by the show jumping judges and scorers, was Suzanne Joyce. Suzanne and her horse Bohemian Ruby from Little Hill riding club competed in the Intermediate class and were judged to be the nicest round. Suzanne took home a Berney Bros rug as her prize.
The West Leinster region would like to thank all who competed at cross jump, Berney Bros Saddles Kilcullen for their generous sponsorship of the day and all who helped out on the day from marking fences to collecting sheets.
