Awards presented at East Down Pony Club

Awards presented at East Down Pony Club

20 February 2013

EAST Down Pony Club held its annual awards evening at Ballydugan Mill recently, with members joined by their family and friends to celebrate success in 2012.

Club officials say they are indebted to joint District Commissioners Hazel Napier and Alison Bissenden and East Down secretary Donna Quail for their “endless dedication.”

The trio ensure all members are given opportunities to extend their equine knowledge and put it into practice both in the everyday care of their ponies and also on the competition field.

All the hard work paid off with East Down Pony Club winning a number of team and individual awards in showjumping, eventing, dressage and tetrathlon competitions at area level.

And the success continued at championship level with the novice showjumping team of Andrew Turley, Cathy Campbell, Chloe Rooney and Ronan McSorley travelling across the water to win the UK Championships.

While last year may have been very wet, East Down Pony Club enjoyed a fun-filled 12 months. Despite the weather, the club held its annual event on Easter Monday.

The senior camp was held at Downpatrick racecourse, with the junior camp held at Tullymurry Equestrian Centre in July, alongside working rallies, stable management and training for all the disciplines. All club members are now looking forward to a busy and successful 2013.

During the recent prize distribution, awards were presented to the following: Russell Cup, nominated from senior camp, Aoife Lavery; runner-up, Aoife Hamilton-Quinn. Russell Cup, nominated from junior camp, Dylan Torrens.

Most improved members: Tom Rowlatt-McCormick (mini), Amy Dugan (junior), Alex Cleland (intermediate) and Paddy Erskine (senior).

Best ambassador, Cathy Campbell; best pony clubber, Amy Phillips.

Most success at senior area competitions, Paddy Erskine (1st Tetrathlon) and Toni Quail (1st Intermediate eventing).

Awards were also presented to the junior boys tetrathlon team of Paddy Erskine, Tom Evans, Andrew Turley and Euan Findlay and the novice showjumping team crowned area and UK champions. Team members included Cathy Campbell, Chloe Rooney, Andrew Turley and Ronan McSorley.

The junior dressage team of Sophie Truesdale, Charis Venacci, Olivia Hughes and Ben Rowlatt-McCormick won first prize at the area competition, while at the Home Championships Chloe Martin (65cms) and Zara Sharvin (45cms unassisted) picked up third place prizes.

The East Down Tigers team of Tiarna Drake, Olivia Hughes, Ben Rowlatt-McCormick and Lauren Gabbie came third in the Home Championships event, while in the same competition the team of Tom Rowlatt-McCormick, Amy Dugan, Ashia Erskine and Thomas Murphy finished second (45cms assisted).

The junior girls Tetrathlon Shield team of Harriet Pele, Molly Evans, Gemma McMullan and Ellen Erskine finished third in the area competition.

Chloe McMullan was the best individual fledgling in Tetrathlon, with Zara Sharvin winning an award for attendance and turnout at junior rallies.

Erin Gabbie and Sophie Price won awards for attendance and turnout at senior and intermediate rallies respectively.

Showjumping awards were presented to Ben Rowlatt-McCormick (sixth in Junior Dengie) and Ronan McSorley (qualified for Dengie championships), with dressage awards presented to Olivia Hughes and Toni Quail.

Northern Ireland team selection for Royal Windsor Horse Show, Amy-Jo Regan and Toni Quail (games) and Paddy Erskine (Tetrathlon).

Members of the novice showjumping team which competed at the Pony Club UK Championships, Chloe Rooney, Cathy Campbell, Ronan McSorley and Andrew Turley were honoured alongside intermediate eventer Toni Quail who finished first in the area and ninth in the UK.

Other awards  went to Ronan McSorley for competing at UK Pony Club Dengie showjumping final, with associate ties presented to Clare Brown, Alice Patterson and Nicole Drake. The Napier Trophy was presented to the Erskine family of Jim, Jean, Paddy, Ellen and Johnny.

The DC’s award for members who put East Down Pony Club on the map went to showjumping champions Ronan McSorley, Andrew Turley, Chloe Rooney and Cathy Campbell.