World Cup Final Update.
30th November 2009
With Christmas fast approaching, the International Student Riders Nations World Cup Final which is to be staged at Ravensdale Lodge Equestrian Centre from 31st December 2009 to 2nd January 2010 is only a matter of weeks away. The event committee has been working tirelessly over the past couple of months and preparations are gathering momentum as the opening ceremony approaches. The planning and preparation required for an event of this magnitude is quite something with 60 riders from 20 nations descending on Ravensdale over the period of a week. Accommodation to be organised, transfers to and from the event for competitors, catering, functions and gala balls to arrange, stabling and horses not to mention arena parties, judges and all associated officials, the list goes on. Work has been ongoing at the centre over the past few weeks in preparation for the event also and the finishing touches are being applied on a daily basis. A new set of arena lights and general “Spring Clean” has ensure that the facility will look its best over the course of the competition.
Other developments at Ravensdale Lodge has seen the centre awarded some further top class competitions in 2010 with the good news filtering through that the centre is to hold an RDS Qualifier for Amateurs in May, closely followed two weeks later by a leg of the National Grand Prix, both shows to be jumped on their superb all – weather grass arenas. These new shows will compliment the centres existing busy competition schedule which begin in February with the first “Pony Spring Tour” and “Guidam” Grand Prix on the 13th and 21st respectively, both shows will be jumped indoors. Registered and training leagues are also set to commence around this time as well before the action moves outside for Summer show jumping and cross country. “Things are moving along nicely” commented Niall Connolly of Ravensdale Lodge, “We are delighted to have been awarded an RDS Qualifier and National Grand Prix, they will add greatly to our already busy competition schedule at the centre. We have taken something new on every year and it will always be a learning process, however it is a great endorsement of the facilities and especially the superb surfaces that we have here at Ravensdale Lodge. The centre was also paid a nice complement recently as our “Guidam” Grand Prix show, which was held last February has been nominated for the new SJI “Show of the year” award. It is always nice to be told that you are doing things right, especially when it comes from the competitors, they work very hard and are justified in demanding high standards” he added.
So, with an average of two shows per week, it looks like there will once again be something for everyone in 2010 at the centre. It also looks like being a very busy year for Ravensdale Lodge.
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