Cam Forest

Report & Results:

ILDRA (Irish Long Distance Riding Association) headed to Cam Forest near Limavady for their second visit this year on the 25^th of August. Offering Competitive Trail Rides (CTRs) and Pleasure Rides there was plenty of riding on offer for everyone. Beautiful sunny and warm weather made for excellent riding conditions with many riders topping up their famous ‘equestrian’ tan!

Cam Forest is one of the more remote and rugged locations on ILDRA’s calendar of events. Long trails meander through the forest park, passing by small streams and crossing through fords. The attending vet was Stephanie Bethel, MRCVS, who was kept busy with the numerous CTR riders completing various distances throughout Cam Forest.

Congratulations go to Kate Higgins on ‘Mr Finnegan’ and Jayne Woodward on ‘Boycie’ for completing their Pre-Novice CTRs with ILDRA. Congratulations also go to Bree Rutledge and her horse ‘Clovermount Rhinestone’ for successfully completing a 20-mile CTR and gaining the first stage to being awarded their Bronze Shamrock in endurance. ILDRA has an excellent Shamrock system of awards which ensures that horses and riders progress safely through the levels of endurance and attain the correct fitness required for completing longer and tougher rides. Many thanks go to the ride organisers of Kirsten and Kathy Conly for marking and running the ride on the day. Thanks also go to the forestry service for allowing access to Cam Forest.

ILDRA’s next event is the hotly anticipated St. Patrick’s Coast Endurance Ride on the 7^th of September. Starting at the excellent venue of Downpatrick Racecourse this ride takes in so many different aspects of the County Down landscape, from gallops, old railway lines, miles of beach, shaded forest tracks to endless grassy fields. Unlike other pleasure rides hosted by ILDRA, all pleasure rides must be pre-entered and in advance using the online entry system, details of which are available on St. Patrick’s Coast’s website and facebook page. Entries are already quickly filling up so don’t delay in booking your place so you don’t miss out on simply the best ride in all of Northern Ireland!

Results

10 miles (16km)

Jayne Woodward on Boycie, Kate Higgins on Mr Finnegan, Gail Hadden on Diesel, Ruth Lyness on Autumn Whisper.

20 miles (32km)

Helen McFarland on She Stoops to Conquer, Bree Rutledge on Clovermount Rhinestone.

More Details:

Cam Forest has extensive tracks available for riding and our route will take in many of them. Cam Forest covers a total of just over 1,300 hectares about five and a half miles east of Limavady, straddling the North Sperrins ridge. The Forest contains a multitude of wildlife from badgers and red squirrels to kestrels and buzzards.

The entrance is off the B66 Limavady (Ringsend Road), which is halfway between Limavady and the main Coleraine – Garvagh A29 road.