Before I start with this week's blog Carlingford Lough Equestrian Centre would like to give our sympathies to Martin, his mother and brother after the sudden death of Kieth. Our thoughts are with you.

 Once again and much to everyones surprise, temperatures remained high and yes the sun shone again! Look at the boys enjoying the sunshine.

 Will was in good spirits, his clinic with Phoebe, combined with his flat work training with Cairlinn has given him  the boost to go eventing. Well done Will and enjoy☺.

 The grammar school had their training session on Tuesday with Cairlinn. They were given a demonstration by our farrier on foot care and maintenance as well as their ridden and pratical instruction. Their last session will be next Tuesday and we will miss them.

 Fortunately we will see Hannah, Carl and Elizabeth back on summer placement.

 Nicky( that's a horse) is still on an extended Winter holiday. We will have to get his preparation ready soon for Lurgan show in June.

The jumping and dressage leagues are becoming very competitive. I am delighted to see visitors from other equestrian centres and to see Nicole jump her first 90cms. This is great training for her Working Hunter season.

 Jenny McCann competed on her first X country at Warrenpoint and District Riding Club. She was on the gentle giant, Pompey He may be a gentle giant but his jockey was dynamite . Well done Jenny.

 Cairlinn was over teaching Warrenpoint Riding club members this week. Their new Working Hunter fences are excellent and the twelve members benefited well from this new addition to their club.

 Catriona is also coming on extremely well with her training for her BHS Stage 1 exams.

 Once again thanks to support and sponsorship from Boyd's stores and CC craft

and tack shop and of course to the children and our four legged faithful friends.☺

The .morning of the Northern Ireland Dressage Festival dawned wet but thankfully not too cold.

 Both dressage horses, Indie and Henry were beautifully prepared for their big day by Martin and it reflected in their excellent performances . Henry rode a good test for his first elementary and Indie came 5th in his class with a cracking score of 71% to qualify him for the Irish National Championships.

Our other competition horse, Nicki, along with Indie and Henry had full sets of shoes put on them in preparation for the showing/dresssge season.

 Things were quieter with the riding school this week as communions and confirmations are the highlights for each family with young children.

 Lessons were concentrated on jumping with particular emphasis on practising the water tray. Holly and Willow were a good combination but Autumn was having none of it!

 Eileen joined in the ladies group. The ladies concentrated on their dressage techniques. The first movement of a dresssge test, enter at A and continue in a straight line to C, is usually the hardest ( nerves etc). The ladies mastered it perfectly by the end of the lesson. Well done and good luck for the 14th May.

 Will Glendenning took Blue to Killeagh show to practise mastering both his dressage and show jumping in the Working Hunter class.

 Keep practising everyone for next week end's show and thanks to all our little and big people who keep Carlingford Lough Equestrian Centre a little horsey haven☺

Dressage commences again on Friday 14th. Judge Christina Keane. Please have all entries in for this Thursday before 12 clock please.

Thankyou again for CC CRAFT AND TACK SHOP AND BOYDS STORES OF NEWRY FOR THEIR KIND SPONSORSHIP.

A massive shift in the weather surprised us all this week. The woolly hats and scarves were part of the daily dress and heavy rugs were put back on the horses. The horses were not fooled by Mother Nature though as they had not yet shed their hairy winter coats? 

 Competitors were not put off by the weather and attended our week-end shows with typical nervousness and determination.

 Our dressage classes Intro and Prelim 13 were ridden well and marked highly by our dressage Ireland judge, June O,Reilly

Una and Jenny were immaculately turned out for the show and the vetran Pompey, a true elegant gentleman's horse produced two good tests. Una and Jenny were placed 3rd and 4th. 1st and 2nd placings were awarded to a delighted Grace Kelly and Mary Joe.

 The prelimary test was deservedly won by Martin O'Rourke on the ever improving Princess. Kristina who had to rush from work that morning was placed a close 2nd behind him with Moya coming 3rd and Will on the show jumper Blue 4th.

 The show jumping was exciting. Children and Adults a like were electric with anticipation and fear. Everybody, horses and ponies jumped out of their skins. They were super.

  The 50 - 60cm class was won by Indie on Rosie, 2nd was Nicole on Ed, 3rd Holly on Willow and 4th was Moya on Beauty.

 Clodagh and Will fought it out for the 90cm. Will's Blue pipped Clodagh's Dancer to win the class.

  A great week thank you to all who keep the  wheels of Carlingford Lough Equestrian Centre moving☺Also a big shout out for Milly to get better soon from all her friends at Carlingford Equestrian Centre.