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Committee 2013-14
D.C
Eamonn Kelly
085 2394752
Assistant DC:
George Hatton
087 2527285
Rosemary Walsh
087 9242005
Secretary:
Bernadette Cummins
087 7529532
Treasurer:
Suzanne McCullough
087 9272408
PRO:
Rosemary Walsh
Bernadette Cummins
Child Welfare Officer:
Elizabeth Byrne
087 7809329
Safety Officers:
Kevin Kelly
Eamonn Kelly
Eileen Brennan
James Kavanagh
Membership Secretary:
Patricia Lawlor
087 2038050
Shop:
Bairbre Wall
087 2745863
Committee Members:
Eileen Brennan
James Kavanagh
Martin Murphy
Michael Kelly
Mary Skelton
Paul Stacey
Breda Skelton
Kay Deegan
Martin Farrell
2014 Club Round-up
Hunter Trials
The Irish Pony Club All-Ireland Hunter Trials championships were held in Ballindenisk, Co. Cork on Saturday 26th of April. Carlow Hunt Pony Club was well represented with 15 members participating in both the senior and junior competitions. Our senior team of three comprising of Emma Redmond, Thomas Connolly and George Connolly finished in 10th place. Our junior team of Megan Telford Kelly and Jerry Skelton finished in 6th place in the junior competition. Also representing Carlow were James Kavanagh and Issy Walsh, Shea Byrne and Leah Burgess, Hannah Rapley and Orla McDonagh, Andrea Doyle and Aoife Hill.
Dressage Day
Carlow Hunt Pony Club had a sole entry competing at the All-Ireland Dressage competition on June 15th at Marlton Stud.
Ciara Kelly competed in the Open All-Ireland competition and finished 3rd in the 20 x 40 arena and 2nd in the 20 x 60 arena. Well done Ciara!
Minimus
Well done to all our members who participated at the Minimus championships in Cork. The Carlow Red team of Catherine Kavanagh, Eamonn Kavanagh, Meadhbh Browne and Sophie Bolger, Carlow unstoppables Aine Kavanagh, Megan Flood, Matthew Farrell and Stephen Lawlor, Carlow Green Team Claire B Kavanagh, Michelle Kavanagh, Claire M Kavanagh and Aoife Murphy and the Carlow yellow team of Sophie Walsh, Lorna Byrne, Julie Hatton and Holly Codd.
The Carlow Red team of Catherine Kavanagh, Eamonn Kavanagh, Meadhbh Browne and Sophie were presented with their rosettes for finishing in 19th place.
Claire B Kavanagh finished in the Carlow top spot with a fine performance to finish in 25th place overall.
Dressage and Combined Training:
At the Festival this year Carlow was represented at the combined training competitions by Isabella Purcell, Jane Hosey and Alannah Walsh in the junior section and in the intermediate section Niamh Byrne and Ailish Osbourne.
In the Pure Dressage competition Carlow had one competitor, Kara Fitzherbert . Kara finished 10th overall on her mount Gizmo.
Julie Hatton won the U12 section at the Area 1 qualifier with her pony “Dot”
Robbie Bailey:
Carlow had two teams qualify for the Robbie Bailey competition. On the Red team were Meadhbh Browne, Madeline Byrne, Lucy Bolger and Claire Kavanagh and on the Green team were Alannah Walsh, Daniel Byrne, Catherine Kavanagh and Orla McDonagh.
After a very exciting jump –off it was the Green team that claimed the ribbons when they finished in 5th place.
John Ledingham:
Carlow had two teams qualify for the John Ledingham competition also. On the Yellow team were Jerry Skelton, Stephanie Kelly, Holly Bolger and Leah Burgess and on the Red team were Eimer Jackman, Sarah Kelly, James Kavanagh and Megan Telford Kelly.
Thanks to both chef d’Equipes on the day, Catherine Curran and Alyson Freeman.
Mounted Games:
The first outing for both the junior and U10’s mounted games teams was in Stradbally Hall on July 6th. Wearing their new Carlow bibs both teams got off to a nervous start but both teams finished in 6th position.
Then it was off to the Carnew show to qualify for the Festival. The junior team finished in 6th place and the U10’s in 3rd place meaning qualification for both teams.
Both teams were placed in the ribbons at the festival with Kate Byrne, Jillian Byrne, Luca Ashmore, James Browne and Matthew Farrell finishing in 3rd place in the U10’s “A” final.
Lorna Byrne, Meadbh Browne, Cara Kelly, Mary Hickey and Zeta Ashmore finished 4th in the junior “B” final.
Both teams were very encouraged by the amount of support given to them on the day.
Thanks to the mounted games co-ordinator Elizabeth Byrne and our Games trainer Michelle Skelton who work with our members to achieve these high standards. The club must also thank the Browne family for the use of their premises to facilitate training.
Tetrathlon
Junior girls
There were 12 Carlow girls competing at junior level this year. The Carlow Yellow team that finished in 15th position were Issy Walsh, Hannah Rapley, Madeline Byrne and Ellen Jordan. The Carlow White team finished in 25th place with Catherine Kavanagh, Andrea Doyle, Orla MDonagh and Meadhbh Browne and the Gold team finished in 18th place with Jane Hosey, Lucy Bolger Claire Kavanagh and Holly Bolger.
In the shooting phase Hannah Rapley finished in 3rd place with an amazing shoot of 850.
Both Issy Walsh (13th) and Holly Bolger (17th) finished in the top twenty positions overall.
Junior Boys
There were 7 Carlow boys competing at Junior level with the Carlow Red team of David Browne, James Kavanagh, Shea Byrne and Tony Lawlor finishing in 3th position overall, a great result and just reward for all the training.
The Carlow Green Team of Jerry Skelton, Declan Deegan, and Liam Lawlor finished in 14th position.
In the shooting phase David Browne finished in 4th place with a tremendous shoot of 800 and in the swimming phase James Kavanagh finished in 4th place with an outstanding swim of 9 lengths and 6 meters in 3 minutes.
James Kavanagh (8th) , David Browne (11th), Shea Byrne (17th) and Tony Lawlor (18th) all finished in the top twenty positions overall.
Thanks to James Kavanagh and Peter Deegan for all the work organizing training for the different disciplines. Also thanks to George and Ruth Hatton for the use of their premises for the shooting training.
Eventing
The Eventing championships were held again this year in Tattersalls, Co Meath. Carlow had 5 Intermediates competing with the Carlow Red team of Niamh Byrne, Emma Redmond, Sarah Kelly and Andrea Cooper with Eimer Jackman in the individual section.
Representing the juniors were the Carlow Red team of Alannah Walsh, Megan Telford Kelly, Declan Deegan and Nira O Gorman while representing the Carlow blue team were George Connolly, Stephanie Kelly, Jerry Skelton and Jane Hosey
All members preformed to a very high standard and represented their club proudly.
In the Red Mills league Alannah Walsh finished 8th and Megan Telford Kelly finished (11th) in the junior section. Well done Ladies.
BBQ
The Annual BBQ was held again this year by kind permission of Joe and Breda Skelton.
This year 55 mounted members attended the rally and we even had our own” ice bucket challenge” raising €78.00 Thanks to all who helped make this a most enjoyable evening but special thanks to Joe,Breda and family for their hospitality.
Fundraising
CHPC organized a Red Mills ODE qualifier and a Novice event this year. Both are used as fund raisers to allow the efficent running of the club. The two events ran very professionally and were enjoyed by all. Compliments were given to our club from other clubs and the IPC on both the running of the event and the course.
These events could not have been possible without the lovely venue provided by The Norton Family, Bunclody, all whom helped with administrative work and all the teams of people that helped in any way. Special thanks to Betty Hutton who co –ordinates the scoring at each event. Also a big thank you to all ex CHPC members and parents who all contributed to making these two very sucessful days. It is imperlative that each family help in some way with these events as it takes 70 helpers approx. to run an event.
Camp
On Monday 30th of June CHPC members began their first day of camp. The venue this year was kindly provided by both the Hennessy and Jordan families.
Again this year we had record numbers attending camp with over 90 members enjoying this wonderful venue.
The BBQ mid- week proved very popular and thanks to all who brought Salads, Desserts and Buns for the ever popular Bun Run. One of the many highlights of camp 2014 must be the addition of the family tent which added to the calm, relaxed atmosphere experienced by all. Another highlight was the relay chase on the Friday morning where all ages gathered to race over the combined obstacle course organized by George Hatton and his team. This event concluded camp where members came together, supported each other and learned from their experiences.
We also welcomed ex serving members of CHPC, land owners and our Area 1 representative Mary Dunphy. Great thanks to camp co-ordinators Breda Skelton and Rosemary Walsh.
Rallies 2014
Rallies are the back bone of any pony club and in Carlow we are so lucky to have such great venues. Without the generosity of the landowners listed below we could not host these rallies.
We had eight general rallies this year with the following numbers attending:
· 28 - 08/03 Newcomers Rally Coole Equestrian
· 59 - 05/04 Fenlons
· 68 - 18/04 Jordans
· 50 - 12/05 Corrigan
· 47 - 13/06 Bunclody
· 40 - 26/07 Fenlons
· 41- 12/08 Bunclody
· 55 – 30/08 BBQ Skeltons
The following rallies were also organized for the U10’s with the following numbers attending:
· 22 - 21/02 Newcomers, un-mounted and information evening @ Kieran Lennon’s
· 13 - 12/04 Pitfield Equestrian
· 19 - 10/05 Carrigbeg
· 13 - 23/05 Carrigbeg
· 8 - 12/07 Mike & Anna Redmond
· 16 - 12/08 Pat & Teresa Hickey
· 11 - 22/08 David and Sonya Burgess
· 8 - 27/09 Mike & Anna Redmond
Thanks to Rosemary Walsh and Breda Skelton for organizing all the general rallies and to Elizabeth Byrne who organizes the U10 rallies.
RDS:
This year Niamh Byrne won the qualifying spot in the Area 1 combined training for the RDS. Niamh and her horse, Moycullen Breeze represented our club at the Horse show in August. Niamh competed in the intermediate section and did both herself and her club proud.
We had three other members competing at the RDS; Megan Telford Kelly (2nd) 133 working hunter, Andrea Cooper (3rd) 153 working hunter and Nira O Gorman in the 133 Working hunter.
Show jumping Classic:
On Sunday the 7th of September the final of the 1m show jumping classic took place in Mullingar. Carlow had three members qualify from earlier rounds, James Kavanagh on Coppenagh Blitz, Eimer Jackman on Odlins Pride and Issy Walsh on Jolly Mixture.
All three members cleared the first round and secured a place in the speed round but it was James on Blitz who finished in 2nd place in this All-Ireland series. Well done James.
International Duty:
George Connolly qualified for the Mounted Games team that represented Ireland at the Royal Windsor Horse show in May. George’s team finished in 3rd place overall.
Tony Lawlor qualified to represent Ireland at the junior international tetrathlon championships held in the UK in June. Tony completed his fine performance in three disciplines with a clear round over the cross country course.
Well done to both George and Tony who kept the Carlow flag flying on the international scene in 2014.
RACE Day – Curragh:
George Connolly became an apprentice jockey for a weekend when he entered the Jockey Skills course in the Racing academy at the Curragh on Friday 26th of September. George enjoyed the excellent facilities and was put through his paces for the full weekend which included riding out, fitness assessment and mucking out. On Sunday George got his opportunity to race on the Curragh and after the race he was announced
overall winner of the Jockey Skills. The Jockey Skills Cup was presented by the Curragh to George and he also received a €200 voucher from TRI equestrian. Our very own “Ruby Walsh”, well done George.
Other news:
Inter-schools Show jumping:
Well done to all Carlow Hunt pony club members who are competing every week at both the Primary and secondary levels. Last week at Newbridge in the Primary section we had representing St Abbans: The Byrne family, Lorna, Kate Jillian and Neil, Gaelscoil Eoghain Ui Thuairisc: Ava Murphy, Cara Kelly and Rachel Carr, Bennekerry & Colaiste na Rinne,: Matthew Farrell, Christine Purcell, Holly Malone, Drumphea & Leighlin NS: Aine Kavanagh, Lauren Kavanagh, Patrick Doyle and Sophie Bolger, Borris NS: Aoife Murphy, Stephen Lawlor and Claire Kavanagh. There were 14 teams in total and it was the Byrne family who made it a family affair when they finished in 3Rd place, well done Lorna, Jillian, Kate and Neil.
In the Open section, Carlow pony club member Shea Byrne was part of the Knockbeg winning team at St Gerards while the Borris VS team won best turnout, Jerry Skelton Catherine Kavanagh, Declan Deegan and James Kavanagh.
In Wexford it was the Borris VS with four CHPC members that claimed first place, James and Catherine Kavanagh, Jerry Skelton and Declan Deegan.
CHPC members were also busy at Coilog last week in the Open inter schools event. Six different schools were represented by CHPC members out of the twenty three starting teams including Ellen Jordan and Michelle McNally representing Del La Salle Bagenalstown. Knock beg represented by Shay Byrne, Borris VS represented by Declan Deegan Catherine Kavanagh, James Kavanagh and Jerry Skelton and the combined team of Holly Bolger & Lucy Bolger, Eimer Jackman and David Browne. Again it was the Borris VS team that claimed 1st place.
Dressage Ireland:
Ciara Kelly, one of our senior members competed at a Dressage Ireland event in Coilog on October 19th on her mount Stoneman Swansong. Ciara entered in two competitions and claimed 1st place in both the Class 2a Preliminary BD 15 (2008) and Class 3a Novice D1 N24 (2012). Both results are true testimony to Ciara horsemanship skills and Stoneman’s natural athletic ability.