Welcome to our news and results section.
Here you will find News and Information, Ride Reports, Photos and Results from the many activities ILDRA are involved with.
As a member you can send in stories to be included, must be ILDRA/Endurance related, along with any photos and we will try and include it.
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ILDRA (Irish Long Distance Riding Association) returned to Shane’s Castle near Antrim for their second visit in 2025 on Sunday 13th of April with a spectacular turnout of horses and riders. Offering pleasure rides (PRs), vetted pleasure rides (VPRs) and competitive trail rides (CTRs), several riders chose to take part in a vetted ride. With dry weather on the day, the riders enjoyed the good-going on the variety of trails which wind through the estate at Shane’s Castle and for those opting to take in a longer route, the forested trails of Randalstown Forest Park were once again available.
Attending vet, Julie Dauncey, MRCVS, was kept busy by the numbers of horses undergoing vet checks pre- and post-ride as part of the endurance process. Karina McVeigh, who has previously competing up to the Silver Shamrock Level in endurance on her horse “Cheyenne”, completed her first CTR on her horse “Cococabana” who Karina has had several recent successes with competing at Eventing Ireland Northern Region events at Tyrella. “Cococabana” gained the first stage of her Bronze Shamrock Qualifier. Hannah Wilding on her horse “NWF Financial Bouncer” also successfully completed their first CTR together, with both gaining their Bronze Shamrock Qualifier. Congratulations go to all horses and riders completing endurance rides. The ILDRA Shamrock System offers a safe way to build both horse and rider fitness and the knowledge on completing longer distance rides. Some lucky riders on the day benefited from Judy Maxwell from Bailey’s Horse Feeds kind donation of several bags of Tasty Treats to be handed out as spot prizes by the ride organisation team. Thanks go to Judy and Bailey’s Horse Feeds for their continued support at ILDRA rides and events over the years.
ILDRA also offer the option with membership to have a log book for your horse, even if you are only completing pleasure rides this is an opportunity to have your mileage recorded at each event you attend. As you build up your mileage, there are several cumulative pleasure ride rosette mileage awards available which are awarded each year at ILDRA’s annual AGM, dinner and awards evening. There are also a variety of trophies available to be won for horse and rider combinations. Why not sign up for a log book-you might be surprised how quickly the miles can add up with rosette awards starting at 100 miles.
Thanks go to the ride organiser of Ros Morcombe, assisted by Ashley Morcombe, Kirsten Conly, the McFarland family, John Anderson, Mary Letch, Claire Walker and Pip Holmes for their hard-working before, during and after the ride for marking the trail and ensuring smooth running on the day. Thanks go to the O’Neill Family and Shane’s Castle Estate Staff for allowing access to Shane’s Castle, thanks also go to the Forestry Service for allowing access to Randalstown Forest Park. ILDRA’s next ride takes place on Sunday 11th of May at Baronscourt Estate near Newtownstewart offering CTRs, VPRs and PRs. All entries must be in advance and online via ILDRA’s website. For further information contact ILDRA’s Facebook page.
Results Shane’s Castle 13 April 25
32km (20 miles) CTR
Helen McFarland on Chalima de Gueyte,
Bree Rutledge on Clovermount Rhinestone,
Karina McVeigh on Cococabana,
Roseanna Andrews on Puzzle Piece, and
Hannah Wilding on NWF Financial Bouncer.
32km (20 miles) VPR
Emma Hayes on Almaz’ Asham
ILDRA (Irish Long Distance Riding Association) headed to Castle Ward Estate near Strangford for the second time this year on Saturday, October 19 for a day of pleasure riding. With fine weather on the day, the attending riders enjoyed making their way around the Hoof Trail at Castle Ward, which takes in a wide variety of scenery including woodlands, open parklands, the shores of Strangford Lough and views towards the main Castle Ward mansion house.
Thanks go to the National Trust for allowing access to this venue and to the Hayes family for marking and running the ride on the day.
ILDRA’s final ride for 2024 took place at the remote and rugged Cam Forest, located near Limavady, on Sunday, October 27. Despite the damp weather on the day, the riders enjoyed taking part in pleasure rides, vetted pleasure rides (VPRs) and competitive trail rides (CTRs) on the mountainous trails of Cam Forest, which offers stunning views across the Binevenagh landscape.
Thanks go to attending veterinary surgeon Julie Dauncy MRCVS for checking over the horses taking part in vetted rides. Thanks also go to Kirsten Conly and John Anderson for marking and running the ride on the day. Thanks also go to the Forestry Service for allowing access to Cam Forest.
Thanks go to Bailey’s Horse Feeds and Judy Maxwell for their support for ILDRA rides throughout 2024, with their kind donation of a bag of feed at every ILDRA ride as a prize for a lucky rider. The winner of a bag of feed at Castle Ward was Jane Bruce, with Evelyn Meharg the winner at Cam Forest.
Any ILDRA members wishing to apply for trophies or mileage rosettes must complete their award application and send copies of their log books by November 20 - see ILDRA’s Facebook page or website for further details.
Keep an eye out for ILDRA’s upcoming calendar for 2025, you wouldn’t want to miss out on any of the fabulous venues offering safe, off-road riding in a variety of locations across Northern Ireland and distances suitable for all.
