The additional classes were well received with entries up an amazing 50% on the previous year and well above the forecasted levels.
The organisers were delighted to see competitors from all over Ireland competing at the show with many staying over and using the 300 stables that were on-site this year.
The first day of the show was primarily dedicated to novice ridden and working hunter competitors and also new in-hand classes. There were two new prestigious Supreme Championships added to the evening performance for the winners of these sections.
The first championship of the day was the Horse Working Hunter Championship where Corinne Robb booked her ticket into the Novice Supreme on her novice horse, Braeview Nemesis. This was the start of an excellent day for Corinne.
The other daytime ridden championship was the Part-Bred Pony Championship, where Sarah Curry won the Part-Bred Arab Ridden class before taking the Part-Bred Championship on her 133cms Show Hunter pony, Parkhill Playboy. The Reserve Champion in this section was the Part-Bred Welsh Ridden winner, Shannon Deasley and Brookvale Court Jester.
The other daytime championships were four new In-Hand Section Championships with the Champion and Reserve from each championship going forward to the In-Hand Supreme on Friday evening. This was the first time that the Festival had catered for in-hand ponies and was delighted with the support for all the classes. In particular the M&M classes were very well supported with strong competition. The first in-hand championship was the Prime Photography, M&M In-Hand Championship, which was won by Ernie Sommerville with his Connemara pony, Manninard Sir Ganty. The Reserve Champion was Brian Lewis's HollyOak Annalise.
It was then the turn of the in-hand show hunter ponies. The Blackstown Stud, Championship sash went to Gillian Torren's Brookvale Court Jester with Elaine Sherrard and Parkhill Ronaldo taking the Reserve sash. The Brookvale Stud was well represented in the show pony section too when breeder, Connor McCormick won the show pony in-hand championship with Brookvale Lavender Lady.
The Welsh Section D Stallion Ballynacoy Celtic Warrior shown by James Curran won the Rea Distribution Ltd, In-Hand Stallion championship.
Excitement was high for the Stat Oil gala evening performance on Friday night with many competitors participating in their first formal evening performance.
The first evening championship was the M&D Construction, Novice Pony Working Hunter Championship, which was won by John O'Hare on his 143cms WH pony Tyrsdagar. Reserve in this championship went to Suzannah McGowan on her 153cms WH pony, Cool Silome.
The Chestnutt Sashes, Novice Show Pony Championship was won by Rachel Moore on her new 128cms show pony ride for this year, Maytown Touch of Class. Lauren Finn took over the ride of Brookwater Lord of the Light to take the Reserve ribbons in the show pony section.
The M&M Working Hunter classes had been very well supported at the show indicating a surge of interest in these sections. The Redrock Trailers, M&M WH championship on this occasion went to the small breeds with Holly McClenaghan riding the Welsh Section A pony, Roseisle Matilda Mouse. Alice Higgins and Grey Victory were called forward as worthy Reserve Champions after winning the large breeds class.
The Black Mountain Properties, Novice Show Hunter Championship was won by another new combination for this year. A very happy Rachel Maybin scooped the Championship sash on her new 143cms Show Hunter pony, Parkhall Carpe Diem with Shannon Deasley and Brookvale Court Jester as Reserve Champions.
The Pony Ads, Open Intermediate Championship followed and was won by the Corbett family for the 2nd year with Shannon Corbett riding her new Intermediate Show Hunter pony, Lord Ryan to take the top award. Jamie Smyth and Newferry Diamond Dancer had been 2nd in this class and took the Intermediate Reserve Championship sash.
The final championship before the excitement of the 2 Supreme Championships was the Connell Hill Equestrian Centre, Novice M&M Ridden section. In this championship young Sophie McDonald took the championship ribbons on her Dartmoor pony, Huttons Ambo Mayflower. Caroline Leighton rode Jayne Maxwell's 4-year-old Connemara pony, Abbeyfern, to win the Reserve Championship sash.
All the in-hand champion and reserve champion competitors hotly contested the Roadside Garages, In-Hand Supreme Championship. After much deliberation the judges awarded the overall In-Hand Supreme Championship sash to James Curran and the stunning Welsh Section D Stallion, Ballynacoy Celtic Warrior. The Reserve In-Hand Supreme sash went to Connor McCormick and his previous HOYS Cuddy finalist, Brookvale Lavender Lady. The 2nd Reserve Championship Sash went to the M&M In-Hand champion, Manninard Sir Ganty shown by Ernie Sommerville.
The finale of the evening was the Ian's School of Motoring, Novice Supreme Championship, where all the novice ridden and working hunter horses and ponies came together for the final judging.
Getting the judges' vote and winning the Supreme title was Corinne Robb on her novice working hunter horse, Braeview Nemesis. The Reserve Supreme title went to the youngest supreme finalist, Sophie McDonald, on her Dartmoor pony, Huttons Ambo Mayflower. The 2nd Reserve Supreme Championship sash was won by Michael Lewis on the 4 year ridden and WH horse winner, Raphael.
The Festival are very grateful to all those who helped at the show and in particular to all the sponsors who make it possible to run such a prestigious show. The results from the Festival classes and championships that took place on Saturday 26th April at Necarne will appear in the press next week with further photographs, kindly supplied by Prime Photography.
Flat Out Media will be producing a DVD of both evening performances for competitors to purchase. Contact details for Flat Out Media and Prime Photography, as well as the full results, can be seen on the Festival website at www.northernirelandfestival.co.uk

Results - Friday 25th April
Class 1 (M&M Working Hunter Pony Small Breeds): 1st - Roseisle Matilda Mouse - Holly Mclenaghan; 2nd - Pennwood Royal Mint - Hannah Phillips; 3rd - Digby - Megan Houston
Class 2 (M&M Working Hunter Pony Large Breeds): 1st - Grey Victory - Alice Higgins; 2nd - Annaghdown Cloonahinch Moonlight - Euan McCracken; 3rd - Blackwood Fernado - Alicia Devlin-Byrne
Class 3 (4 year old Working Hunter Horse): 1st - Raphael - Michael Lewis; 2nd - Nobody Knows - Jamie Smyth; 3rd - Keefrod Flame - Noel McKee
Class 4 (Novice Working Hunter Horse): 1st - Braeview Nemesis - Corinne Robb; 2nd - Burks Peerage - Maggie Williams; 3rd - Graf Peps Max - Nicola Davies
Class 5 (Small Working Hunter): 1st - Braeview Nemesis - Corinne Robb; 2nd - Dexter - Emma Jackson; 3rd - Newferry Diamond Dancer - Jamie Smyth
Class 6 (Working Cob): 1st - Fitzpatrick - Hannah Cuthbertson; 2nd - Midnight Flight - Lynsey McClune; 3rd - Blackstone - Donna Brizzell
Dennison Commercials Ltd, Horse Working Hunter Championship: Champion – Braeview Nemisis, Corrinne Robb
Class 7 (Horse Performance WH 85cms): 1st - Cool Runnings Ishd - Clare Morrow; 2nd - Redwood Humphreys - Julie Smith; 3rd - Rockrimmon Grande Finale - Emma Jackson
Class 8 (153cms Novice Working Hunter Pony): 1st - Cool Silome - Susannah McGowan; 2nd - Granshas One of a Kind - Courtney Stuart; 3rd - Kileatin Edition - Holly Hayes
Class 9 (143cms Novice Working Hunter Pony): 1st - Tyrsdagar - John O'Hare; 2nd - Llunymynydd Melyn Mair - Lucca Stubington; 3rd - Drishoge Springer - Kerry Taggart
Class 10 (133cms Novice Working Hunter Pony): 1st - Woodvale Classic Lady - Jordan Patterson; 2nd - Kenilwood April – Sarah Curry; 3rd - Blackstown Secret Shadow - Tori Dixon
Class 11 (Starter Stakes Novice Working Hunter Pony): 1st - Corn Poppy - Alexandra Ryan; 2nd - Kenilwood April - Hannah Thompson; 3rd - Woodvale Classic Lady - Jordan Patterson
Class 12 (Pony Performance WH 65cms): 1st - Rochmount Cinders - Megan Dunseath; 2nd - Snowstorm of Tyrella - Emily McGowan; 3rd - Calla Lilly - Susannah Graham
Class 13 (Pony Performance WH 75cms): 1st - Bob Marley - Christopher Scott; 2nd - Hopala - Kelly Taggart; 3rd - Ashfield Golden Sparrow - Jessica Finnegan
Class 14 (M&M 1,2,3 year old small breeds in hand): 1st - Hollyoak Annalise – Brian Lewis; 2nd - Brookvale Little Tiger – Connor McCormick; 3rd - Lylehill Golden Girl – Diane Gordon
Class 15 (M&M 1,2,3 year old large breeds in hand): 1st - Manninard Sir Ganty – Ernie Sommerville; 2nd - Galloon Ceol – James Naan; 3rd - Jingxi Des Quatre Chemins – Pauline McLaren
Class 16 (M&M 4 year old and over small breeds in hand): 1st - Carrwood Xanthaus – Valerie Dumigan; 2nd - Kenilwood Festoon – Elaine Sherrard; 3rd - Ravara Sweet Sensation – Joanne & Trevor Harper
Class 17 (M&M 4 year old and over large breeds in hand): 1st - Moorland Bright Star – Claire Devlin; 2nd – Abbeyfern – Jayne Maxwell; 3rd - Mirah Hector – Deborah McCann
Prime Photography, M&M In-Hand Championship: Champion – Manninard Sir Ganty, Ernie Sommerville; Reserve Champion – HollyOak Annalise, Brian Lewis; Special – Carrwood Xanthus, Valerie Dumigan
Class 18 (Hunter Pony 1,2,3 year old in hand): 1st - Parkhill Ronaldo – Elaine Sherrard; 2nd - Ballyloughan Heatherbells – Jayne Maxwell
Class 19 (Hunter Pony 4 year old and over in hand): 1st - Brookvale Court Jester – Gillian Torrens
Blackstown Stud, Hunter Pony In-Hand Championship: Champion – Brookvale Court Jester, Gillian Torrens; Reserve Champion – Parkhill Ronaldo, Elaine Sherrard
Class 20 (Show pony 1,2,3 year old in hand): 1st - Eades Kingfisher -; 2nd - Stanley Grange Regal Request; 3rd - Parkhill Geordies Girl – Elaine Sherrard
Class 21 (Show Pony 4 year old and over in hand): 1st - Brookvale Lavender Lady – Connor McCormick
Show Pony In-Hand Championship: Champion – Brookvale Lavender Lady, Connor McCormick; Reserve Champion – Eades Kingfisher
Class 22 (M&M Stallion in hand, 4 years old and over): 1st - Ballynacoy Celtic Warrior – James Curran; 2nd - Knodisaall Geraint – Joanne & Trevor Harper; 3rd - Beltoy Rising Pride – Steve McDonald
Class 24 (Show pony stallion in hand, 4 years old and over): 1st - Sameon Golden Ember; 2nd - Stanley Grange Regal Promise – Gillian Torrens
Rea Distribution Ltd, Stallion In-Hand Championship: Champion – Ballynacoy Celtic Warrior, James Curran; Reserve Champion – Stanley Grange Regal Promise, Gillian Torrens
Class 25 (Novice Show Hunter Pony 122cms and 133cms): 1st - Parkhill Uptown Girl - Sarah Curry; 2nd - Woodvale Classic Lady - Jordan Patterson; 3rd - Danni's Pride - Danielle Graham
Class 26 (Novice Show Hunter Pony 138cms and 148cms): 1st - Parkhall Carp Diem - Rachel Maybin; 2nd - Brookvale Court Jester - Shannon Deasley; 3rd - Granshas One of a Kind - Courtney Stuart
Class 27 (Novice Show Pony 122cms and 128cms): 1st - Maytown Touch of Class - Rachel Moore; 2nd - Brookwater Lord of the Light - Rachel Maybin; 3rd - Greenacres Royal Chatter - Nicole Deasley
Class 28 (Novice Show Pony 138cms and 148cms): 1st - Parkhill Uptown Girl - Sarah Curry; 2nd - Masserene Lady Diana - Rachael Maybin; 3rd - Strinesdale Emerald - Sarah Judge
Class 29 (Part Bred Arab Ridden Pony): 1st - Parkhill Playboy - Sarah Curry; 2nd - Moluccas Moonlight Mace - Eirin Corbett; 3rd - Copybush Quiztime - Kelly Taggart
Class 30 (Part Bred Welsh Ridden Pony): 1st - Brookvale Court Jester - Shannon Deasley; 2nd - Brookwater Lord of the Light - Rachel Maybin; 3rd - Chasecroft Zebedee - Kerry Taggart
Part-Bred Championship: Champion – Parkhill Playboy, Sarah Curry; Reserve Champion – Brookvale Court Jester, Shannon Deasley
Class 31 (Novice M&M Ridden Small Breeds): 1st - Huttons Ambo Mayflower - Sophie McDonald; 2nd - Waxwing Cherokee - Hannah Phillips; 3rd - Bannut Calypson - Nicole Deasley
Class 32 (Novice M&M Ridden Large Breeds): 1st - Abbeyfern - Jayne Maxwell; 2nd - Martindale Monty - Sian Ogle; 3rd - Count Christie - Rose Christie
Class 33 (Intermediate Show Hunter Type): 1st - Lord Ryan - Shannon Corbett; 2nd - Newferry Diamond Dancer - Jamie Smyth; 3rd - Credit Limit - Holly Hayes
Class 34 (Intermediate Show Riding Type): 1st - Lord Harvey - Stacey McCorry; 2nd - Newtown Lucky Spot - Henrietta Gossage; 3rd - Brookvale Nut Cracker - Kevin Kelly
Class 35 (Junior Side Saddle): 1st - Penni Farthing - Amie Garrigan; 2nd - Fortview Silverstone - Rachel Moore; 3rd - Digby - Megan Houston
Class 36 (4 Year Old Ridden Hunter Horse): 1st - Raphael - Michael Lewis; 2nd - Redwood Oak - David Kirk Patrick; 3rd - Ballycarney - Lindsay Stevens
Class 37 (Novice Ridden Hunter Horse): 1st - Giorgio -; 2nd - Silken Belle - Victoria Henderson; 3rd - Ballycarney - Lindsay Stevens
Class 38 (Coloured Pony): 1st - Compendium - Julie McLernon; 2nd -Tahoe Trade Winds - Nicola Stewart; 3rd - Mini Adventure - Claire Tollerton
Class 39 (Potential Dressage Pony): 1st - Granshas One of a Kind - Courtney Stuart; 2nd - Wedderlie Marmion - Rachel Maybin; 3rd - Llunymynydd Melyn Mair - Lucca Stubington
Class 40 (Potential Dressage Horse): 1st - Highland Cavalier - Joanne Jarden; 2nd - Lute - Christine McBride; 3rd - Dexter Van Den Troon - Kirsty Stuart
Stat Oil, Friday Evening Performance Championships:
M&D Construction, Working Hunter Pony Championship: Champion – Tyrsdagar, John O'Hare; Reserve Champion - Cool Silome, Susannah McGowan
Redrock Trailers, M&M Working Hunter Pony Championship: Champion - Roseisle Matilda Mouse, Holly Mclenaghan; Reserve Champion - Grey Victory, Alice Higgins
Chestnutt Sashes, Novice Show Pony Championship; Champion - Maytown Touch of Class, Rachel Moore; Reserve Champion - Brookwater Lord of the Light, Lauren Finn
Black Mountain Properties, Novice Show Hunter Pony Championship: Champion – Parkhall Carpe Diem, Rachel Maybin; Reserve Champion – Brookvale Court Jester, Shannon Deasley
Pony Ads, Intermediate Championship: Champion - Lord Ryan, Shannon Corbett; Reserve Champion - Newferry Diamond Dancer, Jamie Smyth
Connell Hill Equestrian Centre, Novice M&M Ridden Championship: Champion - Huttons Ambo Mayflower, Sophie McDonald; Reserve Champion – Abbeyfern, Caroline Leighton
Supreme Championships
Roadside Garages, In-Hand Supreme Championship: Supreme Champion - Ballynacoy Celtic Warrior - James Curran; Reserve Supreme Champion – Brookvale Lavender Lady, Connor McCormick; 2nd Reserve Supreme Champion - Manninard Sir Ganty, Ernie Sommerville
Ian's School of Motoring, Novice Ridden Supreme Championship: Supreme Champion - Braeview Nemesis, Corinne Robb; Reserve Supreme Champion - Huttons Ambo Mayflower, Sophie McDonald; 2nd Reserve Supreme Champion – Raphael, Michael Lewis