This event now replaces Upperlands HDT in the NICDA calendar, which was organised by the late Alex McConnell.
Having use of the Shanes Castle estate and grounds is a real treat for carriage driving as the entire event is off-road and, as might have been expected, competitors turned up in their droves with some 27 entries.
The event was well organised with plenty of space for parking and warming up. The contingent of CDI members who arrived on Friday and camped out had a head start and were able to walk the course of five obstacles at their leisure. Course builders Billy McCombe and Lewis Black made full use was made of the natural landscape available, including a copse of trees.
While the other obstacles were free flowing, everyone seemed to take their time negotiating the trees, picking their way gingerly not wanting to risk a tip-up. There were a couple of close calls with fence posts in the obstacles as turns did not quite go as planned, but there were no major mishaps.
There were some new combinations out competing. Alex Bryson with his new young horse "JJ" had success in the Open Horse class; Vicki Lyons with Jeffrey's new purchase "Rocky" was delighted with third place in a very strong Novice Pony class; junior Edward Goodwin had success with his new pony having retired loyal servant "Toby". Other members who could not resist the temptation of Shanes Castle were Louis Magill, with Jackie Niblock on the backstep, Fergus Shepherd and Eric Glass.
The overall consensus of the day was that this had been an excellent event. All credit to Eddie Ingram and members of the Randalstown Carriage Driving Group for running the event on behalf of NICDA. Paul Quinn sends thanks to all who helped him in his hour of need. Bouncy as ever, his message was "a hot bath and a good massage from a good women works wonders!" Everyone in NICDA sends him best wishes.
Results
Novice Pony: 1st Sinead McIntyre; 2nd Poona McNally; 3rd Vicki Lyons; 4th Edward Goodwin; 5th Judith Lyttle; 6th Rachel Campbell
Novice Horse: 1st Dorothy Kelly; 2nd Louis Magill
Open Pony: 1st Grace Hurrell; 2nd Julie Ingram
Open Horse: 1st Alex Bryson; 2nd Eric Glass; 3rd Fergus Shepherd; 4th Ned Duffy
Pony Pairs: 1st Eddie Ingram; 2nd Gay Ferris; 3rd Noel Stewart; 4th Terry Logan
Horse Pairs: 1st Sean Mulholland
NICDA would like to extend sincere thanks to the O'Neill family, presentation judge Gordon Bell, dressage judge Eamonn Lynch, course builders Billy McCombe and Lewis Black, all the stewards and everyone that helped. A steward's raffle was drawn with five lucky stewards winning a bottle of wine. A new perpetual trophy was put up in memory of the late Alex McConnell. Alex had a great love of carriage driving and watched the performances of turnouts closely at Upperlands HDT. The trophy was awarded to the turnout that Eddie Ingram felt would have caught Alex's eye on Saturday – Judith Lyttle and "Rossco".
The next event in NICDAs calendar is Rademon HDT on Saturday, Ma 31y. Also, tickets are now available for the Necarne Fundraising Barbeque on July 19.