Our most local event at Kilmanahan is always more than just another event for us here in Fernhill.
The Thursday evening tradition is to head down en mass and assist Pat Hutchinson the show jumping course designer. Lifting poles and wings, hammering in the numbers and measuring the track are done with a bit of banter. This makes a tedious task into a bit of craic and with the help of landowner John Hughes and his humoungous track machine in no time at all the two show jumping tracks are ready to go!!
Sunday Morning bright but not so early, for a change Team Fernhill headed off to the event proper. We were blessed with great weather albeit a bit windy which made my task of video operator a bit tricky.
As always the course at Kilmanahan was stunning with a couple of new fences and dressed with the usual array of flowers and greenery. The going with the previous days shower of rain was perfect .
Our horses all performed well with a win for Sophie with Fernhill Viper in the U25 division.
Sophie also steered Fernhill Ruby into second slot in the pre-novice on her first outing under rules.
Fernhill Whatever continued his consistant form and again was double clear and 4th in his division, he is well ready to move up to the CNC 1 star on his next outing.
Fraser gave his Tattersalls mounts a steady tune up after their competitive run last weekend and took them all easy cross country. However despite this Xiquissimo finished 2nd in the O/CNC 2 star with a double clear, Encore was 4th in the same class with M2s finishing 4th in the CNC 2 star.
So with the days sport over we headed to the Club house, a purpose built hospitality unit here in Kilmanahan for the usual Hughes hospitality. Its great to see so many competitors get together at the end of the day for a chat and to reflect on their day in such comfortable surroundings and with such hospitable hosts!!
Heading home with hunger and thirst duly satisfied, a few prizes in our pockets and a bunch of sound happy horses we were well pleased with our day!!
Posts Tagged ‘Sophie Richards’
Kilmanahan
Wednesday, May 11th, 2011Ballindenisk International Weekend
Monday, 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.
Ballinaclough Horse Trials
Sunday, 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
Monday, 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.
Great start to the Irish Event Season
Monday, 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!!
Glandoran
Wednesday, September 8th, 2010As the rain came down for the first time in weeks we headed off to County Wexford to the home of The Chapman family to Glandoran just outside Gorey.
Fun and games with the truck on the way resulted in our horses arriving in dribs and drabs and been spread about the truck park in various trucks and trailers but in true Fernhill Fashion “The show must go on”!!! So our days sport tho delayed a little commenced!!
Sophie made her debut with new ride Scottie Ducati who was previously campaigned in England by Austin Oconnor. She posted a super double clear in the CNC 2 star class however the mornings rain and consequent slippery going resulted in a number of time penalties in both the show jumping and the xc. We were delighted with the performance and this combination look to be an exciting match for Ballendenisk International in a couple of weeks.
Kellie Hutchinson had her second outing with our good pony Rathball Prince and we were all delighted when she won the class with a double clear. She has taken no time to form a great partnership with Prince they looked like they had been together all season!! Well done Kellie keep up the good work.
Deidre Lannigan’s Sea Top Boy was on form again and another 2nd in the 4 and 5 year old class made his owner very happy.
Carol Rode her new baby Fernhill Tosca, a very exciting prospect by Shannondale Sarco out of a clover hill mare. He was a star in all phases and finished in 2nd place.
As usual The Chapman family had the kettle boiling at the end of a very wet soggy day and tea and cake in the hospitality tent was very welcome by all who were brave enough to stay to the bitter end for the prizes!!
Tattersalls One Day Event
Thursday, August 26th, 2010Another early start for Team Fernhill as we head up to Meath for Tatts one day event.
This was an opportunity to have a final tune up before the International in Camphire next week so poor Mr Jones who has been on the truck more than in his stable lately headed up. At 8 and just begining his eventing career he has had some catching up to do!!
Luca partenered a new ride for him Fernhill Ok and Sophie also had Deidre Lannigan’s Sea Top Boy on board as well as her Le Lion prospect Fernhill M2S.
All horses performed well, M2S was still green in the 2 star test but is getting there, he jumped amazing as usual and posted another double clear, he is now a very consistent horse at this level and goes to Camphire in the CIC 2 star.
Mr Jones did his usual stunning dressage to lead the section but a first show jump down of the season saw his lead slip. However he was very grown up xc and posted one of the fastest times of the day to finish 3rd. He also now heads to Camphire for the 1 star CIC.
The baby of the pack Sea Top Boy at only five was the star of the day, he finished 2nd in a very competitive Pre-Novice section with some much older and more experienced horses. Owner Deidre Lannigan was delighted and now looks forward to seeing him in the Horseware 4 and 5 year old championships next weekend in Camphire.
luca rode his new mount tactfully and fared well in all phases to finish two places behind Sea Top in 4th.
Two ponies from the Fernhill team were in the Pony 2 star section Joshua Pimm rode Rylane Lady finishing 6th and Kellie Hutchinson made her debut on Rathball Prince and performed very well to finish 8th. Josh won the section with his other pony Mr Otto after a super dressage test and jumping a double clear round. Lady now heads to Camphire but as Kellie has only just taken over the ride on Prince she needs another 2 star before being allowed in an International competition.
Our day ended as usual with Deidre’s famous picnic, with cakes supplied this week by Jane Lannigan we all sat enjoying the Meath sunshine ate, drank and reflected on the day, remarking how lucky we are to have such super horses, great friends and be able to enjoy our sport.
2nd Week South Leinster Combined Training
Monday, January 25th, 2010Sunday saw the second leg ot the SL Combined Training League at Raheen Na Gun. Entries were well up and an early start was helped by the fact we live so close!!
Our horses were all so much better for the outing last week and excelled them selves by all winning a class or in Vipers case two!!
It was a first outing for Deidre Lannigans Fernhill Sea top and with Carol onboard he won the Pure Dressage Test14, though green his Potential was obvious and the Judge Poala Geiger was suitably impressed.
He went on to do a super Test in the Combined Training but a silly knock in the Show jumping just put him out of the placings.
Fernhill Cascade with Sophie Richards on board placed 4th in the Test 7 and WON his combined training, he really is coming into his own now and is on track to win the League in this section.
Shane Power our Junior rider was making his debut on the recent Fernhill purchase Killossery Kassandra. They showed how quickly a partnership has formed between them and placed 3rd in both the Pure Dressage test 32 and the 1.10 combined training. Shane now heads to Portugal with the mare to the Sunshine Tour eventing and hopes this will give him further experience with her before he returns home and appears before the selectors. Competition for a place on the Junior European team this year will be fierce so this trip should give him a head start.
Again Viper showed just how much she has matured over the winter and could not be beaten, winning both her classes by a comfortable margin she is really set up now for the trip to portugal.
Again well done to the Team at Raheen Na Gun, well organised and great facilities made for a good days competition.
