Cullinagh

Report & Results:

The Irish Long Distance Riding Association – Endurance Riding Ireland returned to Cullinagh Stables last week for the association’s first Munster event of the year. Bringing the sunshine with them, riders from across the south east followed pre-marked cross country trails for ILDRA’s second fun ride at Cullinagh Stables in Kilmeaden on 28th February.
Organised by ILDRA’s Peter O’Carroll (whose daughter Willow also took part), it was very much a family day out, with a course suited to novice and advanced riders. The organisation welcomed some newcomers to the sport, including Marisa Kissane and Margaret O’Connor who were joined by fellow Waterford riders, Stephanie Sweeney and Julie Lennon and Kilkenny’s Haleema Dowd
Another newcomer to the sport was My Cousin Vinny who has made a successful transition from the racing track to the endurance course thanks to the dedication of his owner, Gillian Sauvage Corcoran, who has been re-training Vinny since his retirement from the track in 2012. A seven-time winner (including Cheltenham in 2008), Vinny has taken to endurance  riding like a true professional as was evident from his outstanding performance last week .Due in great part to the thoroughbred’s wonderful versatility and intelligence. Bred to compete, some ex-racehorses have competed at the highest level in endurance riding (a sport which sees the Arabian dominate at international level) and also eventing once some initial problems are ironed out, such as standing to mount, hacking out alone and responding to new and different aids.
Re-training a racehorse to become a winner on the endurance course also requires personal dedication and stamina, two qualities befitting of a successful endurance rider who must learn to regulate their riding to suit the conditions they encounter. Terrain can vary considerably as can weather and ground conditions. It requires much personal discipline and dedication and encourages a valuable and trusted bond between horse and rider.

We would once again like to thank Ebha Rose for welcoming us to her stables at Cullinagh  Co Waterford and for the very well marked which she provided the riders with.

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