The All Ireland Finals were held at Tubberbride Equestrian Centre on Saturday and Sunday 19th and 20th of March. This year is the first year where all young riders wishing to attend the National Training Clinic have to qualify through a selection process to gain entry to the clinic.
Each region held an assessment weekend from which ten young riders were selected to attend the All Ireland Finals. These forty riders were then assessed in flatwork and jumping.

Niall Quirke judged the flatwork on Saturday where each rider was given five minutes in the arena to display the skills they have learnt at the many training sessions held throughout the country. Niall was very impressed at the standard of riding and commented on the huge improvement in the athletes emphasising the benefits of attending training.

On Sunday the showjumping section was judged by Neal Fearon, with the riders having to show their skill over a technical 1.20 track. The athletes had to demonstrate their ability to ride related distances, bending lines and other disciplines required to compete at a high level.

At the end of a long but hugely successful weekend the results were announced, where the top three from each region gained entry along with the next highest scoring eight riders. The successful riders were Munster: Pat Sheehan, Hannah Bendon and Madeline Roberts-Allen, Ulster:Aishling Doherty, Victoria Clarke and Mark Harley, Connaught: Michael Duffy, Jack Dodd and Kate MacDonagh, Leinster: Hayley Dunne, Ciara Morris and Kate Bruton. The other riders are Sophie Dalm, Olivia Burns, Eimear Kelly, Sorcha Tarpey, Patricia Stewart, Emily Horgan, Suzy Short and Shannon Mackenzie.

Chairperson of the National Training Committee Katy Saunders thanked Francie and Noeleen Kerins for their fantastic facilities, hospitality and dedication to detail over the weekend, also the regional reps Liam Murphy, Rosemary Rice and Paul Mackenzie for all their hard work and Mackey Ireland for their sponsorship of this very exciting initiative to train the top young riders in Ireland.

The training committee wishes all these athletes a very successful and educational week at the clinic to be held at Barnadown from 16th – 20th April and for great results during the up coming season. The trainers for the clinic are Flat –Niall Quirke, Anne Marie Dunphy and Anna Dangerfield and Showjumping – Ian Fearon, Cian O’Connor and Neal Fearon. (Photos below courtesy of Monica Flanagan, Moylaw, Crossmolina, Co Mayo, 087 2757121)

Jack Dodd in action

Sue Shortt in action

Michael Duffy in action

All the riders at the All Ireland Finals Tubberbride

The Mackey All Ireland Finals

Judges and Organisers at the Mackey All Ireland Finals, Tubberbride

The first exams in ShowjumpingIreland’s new 5 Bar Training System took place in Mullingar Equestrian Centre last Saturday under the watchful eye of Ian Fearon.

Roisin Fagan, Jessica Kuehnle, Grace McGrath, Maria Sullivan, Taylor Cummins, Aisling McGreel, Killian Norris, Clodagh Tuite, and Conan Wright all passed the first formal exam in the new ShowjumpingIreland 5 Bar Training System.

Supported by Mackey Ireland, the new system aims to appeal to a wide range of the SJI Membership and support in raising and maintaining the standards of all levels of rider. The series of progressive standards will provide riders with a focus for their training. All of the criteria have been designed to help make a difference to performance in the ring.

The 5 Bar Training System takes in all aspects of the Horse World both in and out of the saddle.

H S I coach Ian Fearon, has been working with the 9 young riders who took on the first exam for over the past six weeks for the Leinster region S J I training at Mullingar Equestrian Centre organised by Rose-Mary Rice.

Following the exam Ian said ‘’by the end of these sessions these riders were able to ride basic flatwork and grid work, ride a course of fences showing a good position, with rhythm, balance and control with the emphasis on straightness. They also show good transitional work, from walk, trot and canter.’’

There were also Classroom sessions in which the Riders had questions to answer on topics such as Stable Management, Animal Welfare and preparation for shows.

Fearon then continued; ‘’I was very happy with the progressive training and I was delighted to credit the 9 Riders with their Bar 1 Badges of the SJ I National 5 bar training syste. supported by Mackey Ireland.’’

‘’The beauty of this scheme is the riders will all benefit, whether it be new families coming into Showjumping in Ponies, Juniors, Young Riders, Amateurs, Seniors with an accredited

Coach – giving them a chance to use and go through the 5 Bar Training System. It’s a great opportunity to bring on their skills in horsemanship and Showjumping.’’

Details on further Training sessions and exams will be found in the SJI Bulletin during the coming months.

Mackey Ireland is delighted to sponsor an innovative new program put in place by the SJI to provide riders with a defined and structured focus for their training – the SJI Five Bar Training System.

Successfully launched at the end of last year in the RDS, the SJI Five Bar Training System, supported by Mackey Ireland, is focused upon providing a structure within which riders can work to improve their performance at competition level in the Showjumping arena and many riders are already seeing the benefits. Regardless of whether a rider is new to show jumping or has been competing for many years, the SJI Five Bar Training System is designed to support a rider’s development and give recognition for their progression and achievements.

Members enter the system on the level most appropriate to their current ability, with the 1st Bar acting as an introductory level for those new to the sport. The system goes up the grades to the highest level – the 5th Bar level – which is awarded to riders who have achieved a depth of experience, both in competition and in the preparation of their horses.
ShowjumpingIreland is committed to raising standards of Show Jumping and supporting its members to achieve their maximum potential and Mackey Ireland are delighted to provide support and assistance to the SJI through this sponsorship.

We’ll keep you up to date on how the scheme progresses, but if you would like anymore information on how to get involved and learn about the benefits of the new SJI Five Bar Training System, supported by Mackey Ireland, see http://www.sji.ie/Training/tabid/104/Default.aspx

Mackey Ireland is delighted to announce its sponsorship of the SJI National Training Clinic for 2011. Ireland possesses an enormous depth of talent in its show jumping ranks and it’s essential that such talent is nurtured and groomed for future success. Over the last number of years the SJI National Training Clinic has trained and produced some of Ireland’s very successful young riders and with four days of intense flat and jumping training, it comes highly recommended from those who have attended in the past and the Mackey Ireland National Training Clinic looks set to ensure that such a tradition of excellence will continue well into the future.

Mackey Ireland is totally dedicated to the Irish equestrian industry and in helping to ensure that young Irish talent is given every opportunity to develop the skills needed for national and international success.

Selection for the Mackey Ireland National Training Clinic is open to riders aged 16 – 23 on the 1st January and will commence during the week of 19th February to 26th February. Each region will hold a two day assessment clinic from which the top ten riders will go forward to an All Ireland Final to be held in Tubberbride Riding Centre, Co. Sligo on 19th and 20^th March. From the forty riders at the final the top 20 (with a minimum of 3 riders from each region) will be selected to attend the National Training Clinic, to be held from 16th April – 20th April at Barnadown, Co Wexford.

A place at the National Training Clinic is valued at €3,000 per person and the assessment clinics will ensure that the top young riders are in attendance and benefit from access to this top class training.

Regional Assessment details: Open to all young riders trying for selection to National Training Clinic.
Ulster Region
19th & 20th February 2011 – Venue Necarne
Ian Fearon (showjumping)
Anna Dangerfield (flat)
Contact: Katy Saunders 00 44 7733 913357

Munster Region
Date tbc
Venue tbc
Coaches tbc
Contact: Michael Costello 085 7666007

Connaught Region
21st & 22nd Feb 2011 – Claremorris CSOE, Co. Mayo
Cameron Hanley (showjumping)
Anne Marie Dunphy (flat)
Contact: Liam Murphy 085 7346805

Leinster Region
21st & 22nd February 2011 – Kildare International, Co. Kildare
Neal Fearon (showjumping)
Lise Helberg (flat)
Contact: Rosemary Rice 086-0444068

All Ireland Final Selection
19th – 20th March 2011 – Tubberbride Riding Centre, Co. Sligo

National Training Clinic
16th – 20th April 2011 – Barnadown Equestrian, Co. Wexford

For more information see www.sji.ie