24/04/2024
That’s a wrap for this season of the West Workshops in Showing & Dressage 2024.
The Final, held in Ower Equestrian Centre, Co. Galway proved to be a great success. A huge well done to all the participants who attended faithfully throughout the season through hail and rain but thankfully the sun shone brightly for all on Sunday 21st.
First into the ridden arena was the hotly contested Over 16 (O16) with Ciara Mc Namara and her grey Connemara taking home the winning rosette. Next in were the Under 16s (U16), this section saw big improvements by its’ riders over the series, with CECILY GUINNESS winning first place. Cecily showed consistent form on the day as well, by winning the Working Hunter (WH) 60 cm. In addition, she was awarded the Kylemore Abbey Most Improved Rider U16 in WH.
The Under 12 First Ridden was won by CAITLIN MCMULLEN while the lead rein category saw its entrants receive special prizes.
NOAH HARTY did a lovely cross pole round in the WH giving him the edge in his category. In the 90 cms LAURA MURPHY with her Irish draught had a lovely round winning first prize, Laura a regular attendee at the workshops was awarded the KYLEMORE ABBEY Most Improved Rider O16 WH.
The in-hand section was won by handlers KITTY CONCANNON O16 and KERIS MAE O'TOOLE U16 who both presented their ponies beautifully in both the walk and trot up.
Dressage Ireland Judge Helen Nolan oversaw the many tests, with wins going to RACHEL NEE for Lead Rein, MEADHBH CORBETT for Intro, SARAH LOU KEANE for Preliminary, LAUREN KERINS for Novice, with all winners going away happy.
Elliott Equinetherapy was the sponsor of the Biomechanic Most Improved Rider, O16 awarded to MEADHBH O'NEILL and the young rider ALANNAH HEANUE scooping the award for U16.
CAR PART, STILLORGAN sponsored the Dressage Most Improved riders with senior and junior riders SOPHIE VON MALTZAN and ERIN O'NEILL being presented with their prizes.
Picking up their sashes were MEADHBH O'NEILL and CHARLOTTE OSBOURNE both awarded the O16 and U16 respectively in the Most Improved Rider Showing category, sponsor was HEANUE ELECTRICAL SERVICES.
Best turned-out on the day went to KIM SCOTT O16 on her chestnut gelding and SENAN CLANCY U16 on his grey Connemara.
At the awards presentation judges PHILIP SCOTT (Ridden & WH) JIMMY CANAVAN (In-hand) and HELEN NOLAN (Dressage) praised the standard of competitors in each of the categories and congratulated them on their commitment throughout the series and wished them all the best in the season ahead. The workshops, the brainchild of JUDY CAZABON have proved to be a great success and Judy thanked everyone who attended both on the day and throughout the workshops. She thanked the sponsors, judges, coaches, volunteers and all who helped, and gave a special mention to the two venues Duffys Equestrian Centre & Ower Equestrian Centre, Co. Galway for use of their great facilities. Thanks to Rynes Walker Photography for capturing the series through her fab photos.
Thanks to the generous sponsorship of:
Andrew Cahill International Horse Transport
Belmont Equine Products
Car Parts Stillorgan Dublin
Cashel Bay Connemara Ponies / Robbie Fallon
CJ Paws Dog Grooming
Elite Trophies and Rosettes
Elliott Equinetherapy / Susan Elliott
The Equine Warehouse
Heanue Electrical
Kylemore Abbey
Maam Valley Equine Transport
