As a result of Nelson damaging his eye severly in late January I have not been able to venture far from home. Currently in early April he is still stabled daily and has numerous ointments and powders administered throughout the day. Subsequently the summer competitions came tyo an end for me and Shamrock as Steve and I cared for Nelson- I feel like my right hand has been cut off as I have always found him to be invaluable with starting the young horses. I have to rethink some of my strategies.

Dresssage Day A local adult riding club started their annual 3 day competition series in Mid March. We attended the dressage day where our 12 yo son Conor and Ballytruckle Shamrock gained 7 points, we don't know their placings as we had to leave before the prizegiving so he must have gained some placings from the three tests.

Adult rider Sophie Arnoux rode Ballytruckle Sally Gap- Shamrocks younger full sister. Sally is a hack and loves to jump with a huge scopey lope, she just adores the jumping game. Sally and Sophie gained a few points in the dressage but Sally was behaving very green. Still with a bit more mileage she will come together nicely.

Showhunter DayConor rode Ballytruckle Shamrock in the Novice pony section and was the Overall points winner for the day over the two novice rings. He is so thrilled as it was his first day ever that he has competed at Showhunter.

Sophie and Ballytruckle Sally Gap were also a great combination as they won the last two classes in the Novice Hack ring!! We are all thrilled and cant wait for the SJ day in a couple of weeks.

Ballytruckle Sally Gap, 5yo Welsh cob x Tb, ridden by Sophie Arnoux. Photo courtesy of Iwastherephotos.com



Ballytruckle Shamrock 6yo Welsh cob X Tb mare winning Novice Hack and Pony Rings Showhunter Day ridden by 12yo Conor West. Photo courtesy of Iwastherephotos.com

Photo courtesy of Iwastherephotos.com