Ballindenisk International Weekend
May 2nd, 2011The bank holiday weekend for us was spend at the home of the Fell Family in Co Cork.
We were blessed with glorious sunshine for the dressage and show jumping on Saturday and with allF horses finishing in the top few in their classes spirits were lifted even higher.
There was a real international field with competitors from England, Belgium and even New Zealand taking part!!
Sophie’s Fernhill Ultimate was stunning in the dressage to post a score of 48.6 a clear sj left him in 5th position overnight.
Fernhill Encore with Fraser on board excited us all including the dressage judges to finish the dressage phase in 2nd place with a score of 45.8 and with a clean show jumping round kept his place overnight.
Xiquissimo just moving up to 3 star level did not dissappoint in the dressage and left the arena with a score of 50 which we were happy with at this stage in his training. however the show jumping caught him out and 3 rails on the floor saw him slip down the order.
We all hoped for cooler weather conditions for Sundays cross country phase but really could have done without the drizzle of rain and the biting wind.
This phase caused its fair share of problems in all classes as the Fell family had set out to build to the limit in all classes.
Ultimate was a little exuberant in the final water just one fence from home and ran past the last log, he thinks he knows much more than he does and will have his brakes re lined before his next outing!!
But the star of the day for Fernhill was Encore who galloped and jumped his heart out to win the CIC 2 star class. Delighted that he can be competitive at this level he heads confidently to Tatts to contest the CCI 2 star class.
Xiquissimo had an almost foot perfect round marred by just a steering error at a skinny triple hedge. Fraser was pleased with him and feels its just a matter of time before he gets a good result at this level.
The Fell Family had really made a big effort with the ground and presentation of the fences. The horses really appreciated the extra effort and all seemed to finish with a spring in their step.
A special mention must be made to Aidan O’Brien who sent a driver to man the Fell tractor all night long ensuring the ground conditions were perfect.
Fernhill Urco at Rolex 3DE
May 2nd, 2011What an amazing result for such a young horse!!! 2nd place beaten only by mary herself on her home bred kings Temptress.
A double clear in his first Four Star event made us all very proud and by the number of congratulation messages he caused quite a stir!! 
Badminton
May 2nd, 2011Whilst Sophie kept the home flag flying for Fernhill in Lisgarvan Carol was supporting Fernhill Gloster rebel as he tackled his first badminton. Whilst Sophie rode Fernhill viper to 2nd place in the U25 class Rebs was completing his show jumping in front of the crowded stands in Badminton, Though Rebs did not bring home a major prize he came through the finish flags fit and sound and ready to fight another day.
Ballinaclough Horse Trials
April 24th, 2011As Richard Widger decided to add a National Two Star class to his schedule for Ballinaclough horse trials the decision was taken by all at Fernhill to stay local and support him. If he is good enough to put his time, effort and money into our sport its the least we can do. It was certainly less stress on the horses having just a short drive to Waterford.
What a very wise decision it proved to be!!
I have to say fair play to Richard and his course designer Van De Vater they really did put it up to the riders and a true CNC 2 star track was on offer.
Team Fernhill were on form and Fraser took the O/CNC 2 star with Major Furisto, leading from the first phase. They were fast and clear xc and showed just what a class horse he is with a clear in the show-jumping phase.
In the CNC 2 star Sophie and Scottie Duacti looked elegant and stylish in the dressage taking the lead from Fraser and Fernhill Encore. Sophie and Scottie made little of the big fences xc, with Scottie jumping in his usual exuberant manner and giving the spectators a thrill!! A super clear in the SJ left them unbeatable so Fraser was left to settle for 2nd place this time. I am sure if had to be beaten he would not begrudge Sophie her win after such a polished performance.
Our up and coming 6 year old Fernhill In Action with fraser on board did his first CNC 1 star and with a double clear inside the time finished 2nd. He has really taken to his career change and looks like he is going to be quite special!!
In the Pre-Novice section we ran the Bahrain Cruise sired Fernhill Whatever who we bought earlier in the season from William Leahy Junior. He had been hunted hard all winter and it showed when he arrived in Fernhill, so some serious conditioning work took place before his first appearance in public!! Still not the fattest in the pack he never the less looked stunning and performed impecably to finishin 3rd place.
The eyecatching Fernhill Luxury contested the 4/5 year old class and finished in 4th place. He has never been out of the ribbons in his 3 outings under rules and can now have a well earned break on the spring grass.
Well done to the Widger family and all their helpers, a great days sport was had by all!!
The “Long” Trip North
April 11th, 2011The first of the Northern Region events this season as usual was at the seaside in Tyrella.
This was a long long drive for us as there was a road block at Newry due to a bomb scare. We sat for 2 and a half hours in a queue of traffic in what has to be the hottest day of the year so far. So much for our plans to arrive the day before, walk the course and have a leisurely evening relaxing in the local pub!!
The Sun continued to shine through Saturday and it was an ideal day to be at the beach.
All horses had an educational run over a tough track that asked a lot of questions at this stage in the season.
Fernhill M2S proved how much he has grown up this season and posted a great double cleart to finish on his dressage score in 4th place in the CNC 2star class.
Fernhill Ultimate was also double clear but in the 1 star class which for a 6 year old was a fair question. he finished just out of the ribbons in his section.
Major Furisto made the 2 star track look easy and just a few time penalties were forgiven when we looked at the scoreboard at the end of the day. Some very experienced combinations had faulted and walked home with no doubt lots of homework before the next outing. He had a rub in the show jumping and finished just out of the places in 7th.
They all get some final polishing before the International in Ballendenisk in a couple of weeks but both jockeys feel they are well set up after this spin.
Busy Weekend
April 6th, 2011With two events on the calendar last weekend Sophie and Fraser went their seperate ways.
Sophie decided to give her two babies a spin in the Horseware Qualifier in Dromiskin and headed up there on Saturday.
Fernhill Luxury continued to excell himself in the dressage phase and led yet again. However a green moment at fence two on the xc saw him drop down the leader board and finish in 6th place. His stablemate Fernhill Nearly Darc an exciting youngster by Shannondale Sarco was 4th on his Pre-Novice debut.
The Sunday was an early start for Fraser as he headed off to Gurteen college with his string.
Don Corleon an impressive sone of Don Juan won the top section and we feel is now more than ready to contest the Two Star next time out.
Deirdre Lannigans Sea Top Boy just missed ut on a place with an unluck fence down and a few time penalties xc but looked very grown up and ready to be competitive on his next outing.
Attraction In Action again was consistant in all phases to finish on his dressage score in 5th place.
Fernhill Classic performed a stunning dressage test and impressed everyone with his extravangant show jumping round, however the deep going xc and a slip eary on the course saw him walk home and save his moment of glory for another day!!
The Season continues
April 6th, 2011The second event of the 2011 season was hosted by Nial Griffin and Polly Jackson at their wonderful equestrian facility in the Grounds of the Monart Hotel and Spa, a lovely setting especially when the Sun is shining.
It was the turn of the Fernhill babies this weekend and we were delighted with some great results from our first timers.
Sophie rode our stunning grey Fernhill Luxury into the winners enclosure with a winning dressage test and super double clear. Attraction in Action making his first attempt at eventing having started his career in the show jumping arena ridden by Fraser was 4th in the same section.
Fernhill Classic the BYEH finalist from last year was 5th in his Pre-Novice section.
Great start to the Irish Event Season
March 28th, 2011The Irish event season for Fernhill Kicked off at the all weather venue of Richard Widger. This season sees his track up graded to include at two star class and he had obviously not been idle over the winter period. Some very interesting fences have been added to test us at this level and we felt it was a great addition at this stage in the season.
Two of the Fernhill string contested the 2 star class.
Xiquissimo made his debut on Irish soil with Fraser on board and finished a very respectable 3rd with just a few time penalties added to his dressage score. Fernhill M2S also had a handy run in this class with Fraser taking his time xc to get to know him having taken over the ride from Sophie this year.
Don Corleon fresh back from a stint in Italy was in the CNC1 star H/C to give Fraser a chance to assess him. He lead the dressage and a lovely double clear would have see a win only for the excess points on his record!!
Sophie rode Deidre Lannigans Sea Top Boy to 4th place in the U25 CNC 1 star class just a rub of a show jump prevented him finishing higher but we were delighted with him, he really has come back from his winter in Tullamain very grown up indeed.
Sophie also rode her 5 year old FEHL champion from last year into the winners enclosure in the Pre-Novice, he looked very impressive and will up-grade to 1 star next weekend.
The day ended as most events do at the Fernhill Truck satisfing our hunger pangs on Deidre Lannigans impressive picnic, we always seem to have more friends than we can remember at this stage in the day!!
All go in Fernhill
March 24th, 2011Well a lot has happened since I last wrote here!!
I have been away to Portugal on the Sunshine Tour so please forgive my lack of communication!! Not lazy just the internet connection was not always reliable!!
Well the final of the EXpress Eventing took place in my absence and from all accounts the Fernhill Team excelled themselves.
Fauve, Matilda and Fraser all won league titles and Fraser managed to place everyone of his rides in the Top class. They all won lovely rugs donated by Raheen Na Gun stud. Fauve has now returned to Canada and I am sure whe will be sporting hers at her next outing in Canada.
Fauve was a great help to Fernhill during her stay with us, we hope she learned a lot and her riding certainly improved. We look forward to her return in the Autumn.
Whilst the team at home kept things swinging along I headed out to Portugal on the Sunshine Tour with two horses Fernhill Viper and my stallion Vriend. My pals Katie O’Sullivan and Mel Ashe drove out my truck collecting Alex Van Tuyll on the way to do the lions share of the driving.
The first Event of the tour was in Vale Sabroso home of the Tudella family who as always had a warm welcome ready for us all.
The sun was out and spitists were high between all competitors on this our first event of the year.
After suffering a nasty injury to my hand during my attempts at yard duties I decided to offer the ride on Vrind to Duarte as vriend is a big strong horse and to attempt to ride him xc with just one hand would not have been a pretty sight!!
Duarte did a great job with him and finished 2nd in the CIC 1 star class, Trish Ryan won this with her impressive mare Lady Chatterbox. Vriend was super and very pleased to be eventing after his summer persuing his show jumping career.
Viper was her usual enthusiastic self and we had a great spin in the CIC 1 star as a warm up for the two star tour in Barroca.
The two star class which offers a first prize of a Harley Davison motorcycle is always a hot competition and there were some very impressive horses in this class. Clayton Fredericks had brough out four of his top ones and Lucy Weigersma had some amunition on board too.
My own Fernhill Gloster Rebel was there with Duarte onboard and was leading going into the show jumping phase. We were all on pins as he jumped but alas it was not to be, those show jumps can be very expensive things!! So it was Claytons day with Bendingo and he drove off into the sunset on his Harley and Duarte for the third year running settled for 2nd place with Lucy 3rd with Jumbos girl.
Vale Sabroso is always a great start to the season and the Tudella family are second to none when organising an event. The Junior European championships will be held there in September and I am sure all attending will be impressed.
The second and third leg of the tour takes place at home of the Lupi family in Barroca about an hour drive from Vale Sabroso. So Monday was frantic packing and moving venues.
CIC 1 star and CIC 2 star competitions are held the first weekend in Barroca as a warm up for the CCI’s at both levels the following weekend.
As Duarte did so well with Vriend the previous weekend it was hard to jock him off and take the ride back from him. The decision was made to move him up a level and he finished a very respectable 6th in the 2 star class. Fernhill viper had a handy run and finished halfway but gave me a great spin xc and as always brought me home with a smile on my face.
The final weekend of the tour has a CIC 3 star class which always has a quality field and this year was no exception. But it was my own Fernhill Gloster Rebel that took the spoils and it was some consolation for Duarte having missed out on the Harley in Vale Sabroso, the results were reversed and it was Clayton and Bendingo that had to settle for the runner up spot this time. This was a great result for Duarte as the FEI points from this win will give him an advantage in his quest for the Olympics in London.
For me the star of the weekend was my gorgeoug stallion Vriend who showed us how versitile he is. He was stunning in the dressage in the CCI 2 star and posted a double clear round to finish in 2nd place. I was so proud of him on his first attempt at this level he tried so hard. Duarte did a great job riding him and felt he made the step up a level very easy.
Now qualified for 3 star the plan is to aim for the 8/9 year old class in Blenheim later in the year.
All in all a successful tour and great results for Fernhill horses. Its great to get some mileage into them early in the season as i struggle with my workload back in Fernhill to ride as often as I would like.
