Eventing Ireland Northern Region

The final NR event of 2026 takes place this coming Saturday at our brand new venue of Moyallen, just outside Gilford.
Please support this event as the Richardson family have expended significantly to provide sport for us.
Vina Buller and Steven Smith have designed flowing cross country courses which will have suitable questions for each level from EI110 to EI80, with alternatives where appropriate. They have made good use of natural features such as the woodland and river crossings and this will be a perfect event for first timers who could compete in the Training classes without having to register at this stage.
However, underage riders need to be assessed and a competency form completed.

Entries for Moyallen will close at noon tomorrow, Monday, 7th September.

We are really excited to welcome Moyallen (just outside Gilford) to our calendar on 12 September when the Richardson family will be hosting our final event of the 2026 season.

Moyallan is situated on a picturesque site, on old grassland with plenty of grass covering. There are expansive flat areas for dressage and showjumping, with good visibility over the cross country course for spectators.

The flowing cross country courses which have been designed by Vina Buller and Steven Smith will have suitable questions for each level from EI110 to EI80, with alternatives where appropriate. They have made good use of natural features such as the woodland and river crossings and will be a perfect event for first timers.

Entries for Moyallen are now open and will close at noon on Monday, 7th September.

We have just had the second of our two events at the amazing Loughanmore venue. What can you say that hasn’t been said a hundred times over?
I’ve simply exhausted all superlatives.
For that reason, I’ve put my thoughts into verse!

LOUGHANMORE - THE KINGDOM BEHIND THE GATES!!

Behind those grand gates in County Antrim green,
Lies one of the finest estates we’ve ever seen.
With acres of grass and the trees standing tall,
It’s a place that leaves an impression on all.

An historic home with its character and charm,
A beautiful setting, so peaceful and calm.
And at the heart of this wonderful place
Is Wilson Dennison, with pride on his face.

A man known for business, for horses and more,
With interests that stretch far beyond every door.
And that passion for horses is clearly well shared,
By a family who treasure the sport and have cared.

Katrina and Caroline, and their children as well,
Have that love of the horse that we all know so well.
It’s something that runs through the family with pride,
A passion for horses they carry inside.

And Eventing Ireland’s Northern Region too,
are incredibly lucky to have access to you.
For you open your gates and you welcome us in,
And give horse and rider the chance to begin.

And what a place it is when you look all around,
With beautiful hedges and fences so sound.
The grass is immaculate, luscious and green,
Quite possibly some of the best we’ve ever seen.

While down in the South, even when the weather turns wet,
Finding grass like this is a difficult bet!
So we certainly notice, and we’re grateful to see
Such wonderful going beneath every tree.

And talking of trees, there are plenty in sight,
Standing like guardians from morning till night.
Their branches reach high, with the birds soaring through,
While whispering secrets as old as the view.

Then Andrew Napier quietly gets to his task,
Creating a course that will certainly ask
A question or two of both rider and horse,
As they make their way carefully round every course.

From offsets and angles to combinations tight,
Each fence has been built to test horse and rider right.
For honesty, balance and rideability too,
There’s always a question for both horse and you.

And then Laura, Izzy and Ben play their part,
With creativity, patience and plenty of heart.
They decorate each fence with meticulous care,
Turning blank bits of timber to stories to share.

Aaron’s coloured poles stand bright, so cheerful and bold,
Against ancient stone that’s weathered and old.
The manor house watches from there in the rear,
Creating a picture that’s simply first-tier.

It’s modern-day eventing beside history’s wall,
And honestly, it’s a true photographer’s call.
With horses and riders and jumps in the frame,
It’s easy to see why the pictures exclaim.

And then there are volunteers, answering the call,
Who changed their own plans just to give their all.
They dropped what they’d planned and came through the gate,
To lend a helping hand, no matter how late.

With jobs to be done and no time to spare,
They mucked in together because they all cared.
From early starts to the very last task,
They simply got on with whatever was asked.

No fuss and no fanfare, they quietly came,
Giving their time without seeking the fame.
They stood in the sunshine, the wind and the rain,
Then came back to the next one to do it again.

So to every volunteer who answered that call,
Who gave up their time and gave it their all,
Your kindness and spirit deserve to be told
For without you, these events could never unfold.

And over the past two weeks we’ve also been told
Just how much these events have been loved and extolled.
The praise and the comments have certainly shown
What a special venue we have of our own.

It makes us take stock and remember just why
We’re so lucky to have this beneath our own sky.
A venue like this is a treasure indeed,
And one that our region is lucky to need.

So Wilson and Lorraine, Katrina and Caroline,
We want you to know that your kindness does shine.
For opening your gates and allowing us through,
And sharing this beautiful kingdom with us too.

We thank you sincerely, from all of our hearts,
For playing such a wonderful role in our sport.
Your generosity means much more than you ever know
It’s what helps our Northern Region to flourish and grow.

So here’s to the horses, the sport and the land,
And to families who give with such generous hands.
May the hoofbeats continue, the memories grow,
And may your grand gates stay open for years to follow.

From all of us in Eventing Ireland Northern Region—
thank you for opening your gates,
and sharing your magical kingdom with us.
❤️
Photo credit: Lindsay Martin

Entries for Loughanmore 2 close at noon today (Monday)
Please don’t miss out on the opportunity to compete at this beautiful venue with superb courses.

Sincere thanks to Margie McLoone of the Irish Field for her super write up on our event at the amazing venue of Loughanmore.
Remember that entries for Loughanmore 2, scheduled for 29 August, close at noon this coming Monday - please don’t miss out!