Classes:
ER, CTR, PR, PC and RDA
Date:
Sun 11 Sep 2016
Branch:
Report & Results:
Bigger, better and with more beaches than ever! This was the emphatic verdict on St.Patrick's Coast Ride in 2016 - for the third year running this event proved a resounding success attracting a record number of entries, including a substantial overseas contingent, to take part in the hotly contested Home International and Celtic Challenge competitions. For the first time in many years, Northern Ireland was able to put on a competitive 100mile (160km) ride as the premier class of the championships, with supporting classes covering distances from 20 miles (32km) to 75 miles (120km), as well as Pleasure Rides of 10 miles (16km) and 20 miles (32km).
The course was a testing enough one, across the local drumlin covered countryside, taking in country lanes, gallops, grass and stubble fields, and a disused railway track as well as those miles and miles of beaches (an incredible 25% of the route!). An enormous amount of thanks must go to all the local farmers and landowners who, almost without exception, were totally in support of the event and whose generosity allowed the riders to cross land not normally accessible to the public. Similarly, the management team at Downpatrick racecourse could not have been more welcoming or helpful and the excellent facilities provided there went a long way towards contributing to the success of the ride.
While it was not to be Ireland's day in the team competitions, several results are worth a mention - in the 100 mile (160km) race, local rider Jenni Cunningham stormed to victory on Helen McFarland's aptly named She Stoops to Conquer (Polly) and Morgan Skillen finished third in the 75 mile (120km) race on Mayo. Among the lower distance competitions, Amy Murphy was second placed Best Home International Novice and Kim Murphy third placed Best Celtic Challenge Novice, with Karina McVeigh taking the award for the best ILDRA CTR member and Kirsty Morton the best ILDRA Pleasure Ride member award. The generosity of various sponsors including Aloeride, Baileys Horse Feeds, Botanica International, Horse First, Kingsfield Haylage and Performance Equestrian ensured that prizes were abundant and appropriate.
Photographs from the ride can be seen on the St.Patrick's Coast Ride Facebook page and also accessed through ILDRA's website www.enduranceridingireland.com.
RESULTS
Home International
1st Scotland (6 riders home)
2nd England (5 riders home)
3rd Wales (4 riders home)
4th Ireland (3 riders home)
Home International Best Novice
1st Hannah Sedgwick and Carrowkeel (England)
2nd Amy Murphy and Candy (Ireland)
3rd Jocelyn Gray and Touchdown Boris (Scotland)
4th Kate Hill and Endymion under and over (Wales)
Home International Best Junior
1st Holly Alego and Sir Nunns Lady Samantha (Scotland)
2nd Lily Gibbons and Sandy W (England)
Celtic Challenge
1st Wales (5 riders home, total distance 408km)
2nd Scotland (5 riders home, total distance 328km)
3rd Ireland (4 riders home)
Celtic Challenge Best Novice
1st Arlene Parvin and Kingsmeadowhouse Magic Maker (scotland)
2nd Sian Hill and The Red Barron (Wales)
3rd Kim Murphy and Jumpingdale Sydney (Ireland)
Celtic Challenge Best Junior
1st Cerys Hill and Gauffron Spring Boy (Wales)
2nd Grainne Paterson and Tannasg Psyonmy (Scotland)
160km ER
1st Jenni Cunningham and She Stoops To Conquer
2nd Francisca Bakker and Aratahnes Aphrodite
3rd Iain Paterson and Tannasg Primo Dancer
4th Hannah Maskell and Simeric Smooth Criminal
5th Sally Toye and Emira Bint Letifa
6th Jane Greatorex and Trust Me Too
7th Sue Box and Kazeme el Mystral
120KM 2 Day
1st Heather Weston and Vlacq Flint Accoloade
2nd Constance Newbould and Zarkhruv
3rd Morgan Skillen and Mayo
80KM ER
1st Chris MacMillan and Coolagoree Glen Thunder
2nd Jessica Sedgwick and Good Morgan
3rd Helen Perry and Midnight Crusade
4th Heather Weston and Vlacq Flint Accolade
5th Ella Bunting and EAS Boadicea
6th Constance Newbould and Zarkhruv
7th Rachel Lima and Zameel
8th Morgan Skillen and Mayo
9th Cheryl Wallace and Lindston Kytrina
10th Nicola Hamilton and Magic Storm
Best ILDRA CTR Member
Karina McVeigh and Cheyenne
Best ILDRA PR Member
Kirsty Morton and Little Miss Betsy
Team Reserves Competition
1st Team 3
Kath Wilson
Emma Hayes
Chloe Delaney
Jessica Sedgwick
2nd Team 1
Cheryl Wallace
Anna Blackwell
Emily Nott
Jane Greatorex
3rd Team 2
Ella Bunting
Becca MacMillan
Max Wilson
SJ Scrase
Riding Club
1st The Wild Mustangs
Kate Russell
Allison Sloan
Bree Rutledge
Michaela Glass
Pony Club
1st Sian Hill
2nd Cerys Hill
3rd Amy Murphy
4th Kate Kill
5th Lily Gibbons
Special Award
Willow O'Carroll
Lily Gibbons
Link:
More Details:
The St. Patrick's Coast ride moves to September this year and becomes a 2 day event.
In 2016 it is the turn or Ireland to host the annual Home International and Celtic Challenge competitions and St.Patrick's Coast is the chosen venue.
There will be Pleasure, ER and CTR rides both days alongside the RDA event as well.
Pleasure rides of 16km (10 miles) up to 32km (20 miles) alongside CTRs of 32km up to 80km and ERs from 80km with a 160km 2 day event being the flagship class.
Alongside the numerous Pleasure Riders who now do not want to miss this magnificent ride will be 2 teams of 6 riders competing over different distances for England, Scotland, Wales and of course Ireland.
Tis magnificent ride, now in its 3rd year, takes in the stunning scenery of South Down from Downpatrick to the coast at Tyrella and Ballykinler along with the route of the old Downpatrick to Dunrrum and Killough railway lines, Forest parks and miles of stunning beach.
Entry in advance is essential for ALL classes, INCLUDING PLEASURE RIDERS, for this event is required and can be done on-line. Details will be announced nearer the time.
This ride needs a lot of help with check points and especially road crossings. We would ask that any body who is or has ridden at it would offer to help this year. As it is a 2 day ride you can assist on the day that you are not riding. Without help this ride will not continue so if you value it please help if you can.
Details of how to help will be on the St.Patrick's Coast web site early in 2016. lese put this weekend in your diary now.
