The stakes were high as besides being the Club Championships the event was a Novice and Intermediate Class Qualifier for the National BHDTA Championships at Windsor in September for horses and ponies.
In addition the FEI declared that dressage scores would be accepted as qualification for the World Combined Pony Championships 2009 and World Championships for Horse Pairs 2009.
Tenacity paid off however as luckily for all concerned David Corbett of Tyrella Equestrian Centre stepped up to the mark and gave NICDA full use of his facilities.
Despite a week of complete madness for all concerned the championships took place last weekend August 22-24 with absolutely no compromises on national standards.
It was a tremendous effort and shows what can be done when goodwill is there. NICDA volunteers were out building the course in appalling conditions the previous weekend and also in the evenings during the run up to the championships.
There was a good turnout of competitors from NICDA and Carriage Driving Ireland despite the change of venue and frantic phone calls.
Those who came were determined to enjoy themselves and have a successful competition.
Friday commenced with judging of presentation by Bill Bryson (Scotland) who scrutinised the turnouts closely. Dressage was judged by Mary Bryson (Scotland) and Eamon Lynch (Ireland). The competitors had no excuse for a poor test on the immaculate polo ground.
Day one finished with Gaye Ferris leading in pony pairs, Neill Kearns in horse pairs, Paudie O'Sullivan in open pony, Dorothy Kelly in novice horse and Dawn O'Donnell in the Allsorts Class.
Best dressage score of 33.16 went to Sinead McIntyre in novice pony with "Mac".
A frantic afternoon was spend by all memorising the eight obstacles so the wine and cheese evening was very welcome to round off the first day.
Day two on Saturday dawned fair, but it was not to last unfortunately. Most of the novice pony competitors got round the course fairly dry, but the heavens did their worst on the rest.
It was an endurance test for the obstacle judges who gamely tried to keep their timing gear and papers dry. Competitors and horses slogged on and tried their best to read the markers as conditions deteriorated.
It was a bit of a shame as Billy McCombe built an excellent course with a beach section, a river to ford, fields and a short section of woodland. More time in the lead-up to the event would have allowed him to do more. The eight obstacles were all testing and the brain had to work hard to memorise the routes.
A number incurred costly penalties ifor "senior moments". Day two did not provide too much of a shake-up in the results table with the same names appearing at the top of the overall lists. The novice pony class supplied the best marathon score by Martin Spillane.
A lovely relaxing dinner was enjoyed by all on Saturday evening at The Mill, Ballydugan with dancing to swing and blues music by Bluezmobile.
Day three on Sunday was thankfully a lovely morning. The cones competition got underway at 9-30am and continued until midday.
An excellent running commentary was provided by Gordon Bell and while competition was clearly evident in all the classes, the overall atmosphere was relaxed and everyone came out to watch.
International Judges Andrew Counsel (England) and Hon. Sarah Mullins (Ireland) officiated at the cones arena.
The course was inviting but testing as would be expected at championship level and there were no double clears, although Sinead McIntyre was the nearest with 0.59 time penalties.
There were some shake-ups in the cones and competitors who had dominated in days one and two did not get it all their own way.
To finish off the competition overall prizes and trophies were presented by the President of Ground Jury Andrew Counsel assisted by Anne Lyons. Robert Johnston presented the winners of each class with horse supplements kindly provided by Horse First.
The Novice Qualifiers for the British Carriage Driving Championships were won by Dorothy Kelly (Novice Horse) and Vicki Lyons (Novice Pony). As the novice pony class had more than six competitors, International Judge Andrew Counsel quickly contacted the BHDTA and an additional novice qualifier was awarded to Judith Lyttle on the basis of her scores. Although the winner of this class, Sinead McIntyre was not eligible as she has driven at World Championship level.
For a variety of reasons this years Championships will not be forgotten. Sincere thanks to all the helpers who made the event happen. Billy McCombe, Lewis Black and Anne Lyons kept the vision and just went for it. Much was achieved in a week and the end result was top class. Full marks to everyone concerned!
NICDA would like to extend particular thanks to landowner David Corbett of Tyrella Equestrian Centre. Sincere thanks to International Judges Andrew Counsel (England) and Hon. Sarah Mullins (Ireland), judges Mary and Bill Bryson (Scotland) and Eamon Lynch (Ireland). Also to event secretary Sylvia Ingram, chief steward Eileen Ingram, stable manager Eddie Ingram, ring stewards Eddie Harkness and Wilson Peake, scorers Pam Shepherd, Joyce Bell and Anne Lyons.
Special thanks must go to the obstacle stewards and those on duty on Saturday who performed beyond the call of duty. Thanks to everyone who helped put up the course and cleared it away, a great job.
Sponsorship is absolutely vital to an event of this calibre. NICDA would like to thanks the sponsors for their invaluable support. Horse First; Woodcraft Systems, Calor NI; Scarvagh House Stud; Avondale Foods; Down District Council; Randalstown Carriage Driving Group; Sperrin Building Services; Colton Quarries; D & M Hire, Omagh; OhSo Sandwiches, Craigavon. Sincere thanks to all NICDA members who raised funds towards running the championships. Every penny from whatever source is greatly appreciated.
The results of the NICDA Carriage Driving Championships 2008 were:
Novice pony: 1st, Sinead McIntyre, "Mac"; 2nd, Vicky Lyons, "Rocky"; 3rd, Poona McNally, "Maxwell"; 4th, Judith Lyttle, "Rosco".
Novice Horse: 1st, Dorothy Kelly, "Pharoah"; 2nd, Denise Taylor, "Bellury Skywalker"; 3rd, Karen Garrett, "Suma Little Mo".
Open Pony: 1st, Paudie O'Sullivan, "Star"; 2nd, Gina McCann, "Biggles"; 3rd, Julie Ingram, "Alfie".
Advanced Pony: 1st, Jackie Niblock, "TT".
Open Horse: 1st, Jim McCrea, "Friars Glen".
Pony Pairs: 1st, Gay Ferris, "Major and Sonnet"; 2nd, Eddie Ingram, "Jack and Lady"; 3rd, Terry Logan, "Tommy and Tucker"; 4th, Noel Stewart, "Lady and Bella".
Horse Pairs: 1st, Neil Kearns, "Buster and Sally"; 2nd, Ger Hennessy, "Hugo and Tommy"; 3rd, Folke Rohrssen, "Viktor Massingh and Prinz".
Allsorts Class: 1st, Dawn O'Donnell, "Cassie"; 2nd, Michelle Heddane, "Sprog".