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Sunday, September 05, 2010
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Shane Sweetnam and Spy Coast Farm's "Belle Bleu S" Blew Away Competition in $7,500 Wölffer Estate |
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Bridgehampton, NY-September 1, 2010- Competitors at the Hampton Classic Horse Show continued to enjoy sunny skies on Wednesday morning as an ample field of 73 lined up for the $7,500 Wölffer Estate Open Jumper (1.35m) class. Several tried, but only one tasted sweet victory and that was Shane Sweetnam riding Belle Bleu S, owned by Spy Coast Farm, LLC. "It was a very fast class," said Sweetnam. "I knew the way it had been the last couple of days that you had to be going as quick as you could to be able to win the class. Even though she is small, she has a really big step and has been a very, very competitive horse all year. I am very, very happy with her."
The first few rides were a little on the slower side and there were quite a few four faulters, but then Marilyn Little-Meredith and Venus, owned by Raylyn Farms, Inc., put in a fast clean round in 51.305 seconds going 16th in the order. Meredith managed to stay on top of the leader board going even faster on her second horse Waldman Z, owned by Raylyn Farms and Beverly Sheehy, clocking in at 49.485.
Then the class really kicked into gear. Sweetnam and Belle Bleu S entered the ring and blew their time away with a clean round in 47.258 seconds. A few rides later Beezie Madden and Zhivago, owned by Abigail Wexner, came close with a clear round and a time of 48.218, that left them as the runners-up. Callie Schott and Coral Reef Ambassador, owned by Coral Reef Ranch, went next and tried hard to beat their predecessors, but only managed a third place clean round time of 48.787.
"In general the key was to be as fast as you can and keep you balance everywhere," said Sweetnam. Guilherme (Jorge) always does a really good job with these courses leaving plenty of options for younger as well as the older horses."
Meanwhile Kanturk born Sweetnam was also among the prizes in Friday's Speed Derby when piloting ''Tangelo Z'' into fifth place while the same partnership finished 7th in the $20,000 NICOLOCK 1m 40 SPEED CHALLENGE.
Sweetnam has been in the United States for about eight years and really looks forward to the Classic.
"I love it here," said Sweetnam. "This is our favorite horse show of the year. The owners (Robert and Lisa Lourie) of Spy Coast Farm are local, so it feels good to win here."
The Hampton Classic Horse Show is moving the $50,000 Spy Coast Farm Grand Prix Qualifier CSI**** from Friday afternoon to Thursday afternoon at 2:00 PM in anticipation of possible bad weather stemming from Hurricane Earl.
The horse show is also instituting other schedule changes and the revised schedule for Thursday and Friday is available on the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com.
The Hampton Classic Horse Show is one of the most prestigious horse shows in the nation and features competitors at every level from young children in leadline to Olympic veterans. The Classic continues through Sunday when it culminates with the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix and FEI World Cup Qualifier.
For those who can't make it to the show grounds, WVVH-TV, the official Long Island television station of the Hampton Classic, is broadcasting up to five hours of competition and highlights each day during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen online at www.wvvh.tv.
Hampton Classic Horse Show, Inc. is a 501.c.3 charitable corporation. It benefits Southampton Hospital and has contributed more than $1.5 million to the hospital since it began.
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| BANTEER TO HOST MUNSTER LEAGUE FINALE THIS SUNDAY The Munster 'Greyhound Night' Grand Prix league draws to a close this weekend at Banteer Gymkhana in Co Cork. Another large start list of 46 horses and riders are set to go to post reflecting the huge popularity of the now annual event. Kilkenny's Ger O Neill looks favourite to land the overall leading rider title having consistently been among the points during the season. The Munster 'Greyhound Night' 1.10m League is a much tighter affair with a number of riders still in with a shout of glory. A full range of Horse and Pony competitions with very generous prize funds are also on offer at Banteer this Sunday for what promises to be an action packed programme. | | |
| MUNSTER GREYHOUND NIGHT GRAND PRIX LEAGUE 2010 CORK SUMMER SHOW TIPP RIDER LANDS TOP PRIZE – CORK PAIR ALSO IN TOP SIX Tipperary’s Liam O Meara came out on top in the third round of the Munster Grand Prix League, at Cork Summer Show in Ballincolig yesterday (Sunday). With 3.000 euro on offer from sponsors ‘Cork Summer Show’ and the Munster Region of ShowjumpingIreland, thirty one horses and riders went to post in search of valuable league points. Riding his own gelding ‘Mr Coolcaum’, who is incredibly just a six year old, O’Meara piped Kilkenny’s Lisa O Farrell and ‘Erkina Heather’ for victory after an eight horse jump off. Co Cork’s Shane O Reilly produced an excellent performance to steer the John Buttimer owned seven year old ‘J B Master Glen Bar’ into third place to give the home crowd plenty to cheer about. Another Cork rider Blayne Sheehan from Beara, slotted ‘Miss Cruising Lux’ into fourth while he also finished sixth with ‘Allihies Diamond Boy’. Gemma Phelan from Cappagh Co Waterford took fifth place with her own ‘Killcannon Brigade. In the 4 Year old Championship the honours went to Co Cork owned ‘Biretta’. By the stallion ‘Tangelo Van de Zuuthoeve’ out of a mare by ‘Epilot’, this chestnut mare is owned by Kanturk’s Jerry Sweetnam and was ridden to victory by Seamus Hayes. Reserve Champion was awarded to Paul Beecher from Tallow Co Waterford with ‘Loughnatousa Mc Lovin’. Meanwhile in the ever popular, Ballymaloe Country Relish Ladies 1m 10 qualifier, Madeleine Robert Allen and Pleasant Cherry Blaze scorched home to take a well deserved victory. CORK’S TWOMEY AMONG PRIZES IN ESTORIL Meanwhile on Saturday night last, two Irishmen finished in the top ten of a 42-strong field at The Global Champions Tour Grand Prix at Estoril in Portugal. Boasting almost 300,000 euro in prize money, the competition saw only 18 combinations on a zero score after the first round, and Meath's Cian O'Connor and Cork's Billy Twomey were amongst those who qualified for the second round. Twomey and Sue Davies's bay stallion 'Je t'Aime Flamenco' were first of the Irish efforts and picked up four faults in round 2, while Cian O'Connor also finished with 4 faults on the Michael Smurfit's owned mare 'K Club Lady'. Though not one of the six qualifying for the final jump-off, the result was good enough to put O'Connor into eight place and Twomey into ninth, and gave them 6,000 euro apiece in prize money The Grand Prix first prize of 100,000 euro was won by Germany's Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and the legendary 'Checkmate'. Ireland's other two contenders, Denis Lynch and Jessica Kurten, did not make it past the first round after picking up four penalties apiece. Result, Munster ‘Greyhound Night’ Grand Prix League- Cork Summer Show, 04/07/2010 1. Liam O Meara, Mr Coolcaum 2. Lisa O Farrell, Erkina Heather 3. Shane O Reilly, J B Master Glen Bar 4. Blayne Sheehan, Miss Cruising Lux 5. Gemma Phelan, Kilcannon Brigade 6. Blayne Sheehan, Allihies Diamond Boy 7. Seamus Hayes, Twister 8. Sean Walsh, Kimberlite . | | |
| CIAN O CONNOR CLINICS COMING TO KERRY International Showjumping rider Cian O' Connor will be at Dromin Hill
Equestrian Centre, Listowel Co Kerry to hold a 2 day Showjumping Clinic on the 28th and 29th of June 2010. This clinic is suitable for Amateur or advanced riders on their own horses
Overnight accomodation is available for both riders and their horses
Join Cian's training clinic with your own horse.
Cian's success as a trainer has seen him train five Irish riders to Nations' Cup level and he is also very popular with Young Riders in Europe as he has trained many of them up to European Championship level. His personal attention to detail and follow-through with his many clients has made him one of the most in-demand trainers today. Please phone 0870924269 for enquirys to book your place now, places are limited | | |
| Killeagh District Gymkhana By kind permission of Donal & Kathleen Walsh. Sunday June 20th starting at 10.00am sharp.
Arena 1. Horses prizes entry Amateurs inc Munster greyhound league in kind (value 300e) 18 1.00m 200 18 1.10m 250 18 1.20m 250 + perpetual cup 18 90cms(in first available arena) 200 18 Arena 2. Ponies 128 90cm inc. Munster Orange league 200+trophy 16 128 1.00m 200+trophy 16 138 1.00m inc. Munster orange league 200+ trophy 16 138 1.10m 200 +trophy 16 148 1.10m inc. Munster orange league 200 + trophy 16 148 1.20m 200 + trophy 16 Arena 3. Ponies 138 80cm 150 + trophy 15 138 90cm inc Munster green league 150 + trophy 15 148 90cm 150 + trophy 15 148 1.00m inc. Munster green league 150 + trophy 15 128 70cm 150+ trophy 15 128 80cm inc. Munster green league 150 + trophy 15 Arena 4 128/138 carling king league in kind 15 Newcomers medals 12 Sportsman 80cms in kind 16 Lead rein class at 2.30pm followed by dog show. Trophies/prizes for all entrants. Enquiries 086 3781613 or 086 8346759 | | |
| Co Kerry's SINEAD KENNEDY RUNNER UP AT CLARE LEG OF HSI CHIPPISON SPRING TOUR Co Kerry show jumper Sinead Kennedy finished runner up for the second week in a row in yesterday's (Sunday) penultimate round of the HSI Chippison Spring Tour at Clare Equestrian Centre. Riding her father Bill Kennedy's ''K.E.C Alicate'', the Tralee native finished just over a second behind Meath's John Floddy aboard ''Larkhill Cruiser''. On Easter Monday last, Kennedy finished second to Cian O Connor at the Warrington leg of the series in Kilkenny. Joe Owens and Killian Browne ensured three Munster riders finished in the top 6.
John Floody now sits on top of the leaderboard with 44 points ahead of next Sunday's HSI Chippison Spring Tour Final in Coilog, Co. Kildare.
SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: HSI CHIPPISON SPRING TOUR, CLARE EQUESTRIAN CENTRE, CO. CLARE
GRAND PRIX
1m35
Twelfth Leg of 2010 HSI Chippison Spring Tour
Presented by the Show Jumpers' Club in Association with TRI Equestrian
Sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland and Timberpro Products
Clare Equestrian Centre, Co. Clare
Sunday April 11, 2010
1) Larkhill Cruiser (ISH) (Owner Michael Smith); John Floody Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 34.05
2) KEC Alicante (ISH) (Owner William Kennedy); Sinead Kennedy Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 35.17
3) Ashbourne (Owner Jim Monks); John Floody Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 35.85
4) Kinnagrelly (ISH) (Owner Jane O'Flynn); Gerard O'Neill Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 36.85
5) Cobra (Owner Lissava Stud); Joe Owens Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 38.37
6) Cyril Van De Mespel Z (Owner Kilian Browne); Kilian Browne Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 39.50
43 starters, 13 through to jump-off
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| KANTURKS SHANE SWEETNAM WINS IN FLORIDA By Jennifer Wood for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. Wellington, FL - April 3, 2010 - The final Suncast 1.50m Classic was held this afternoon in the International Arena. With $20,000 in prize money, a strong field came out to contest. The fastest in the jump-off for the win was Shane Sweetnam (IRL) on Little Emir, owned by Spy Coast Farms LLC. Schuyler Riley (USA) and Navalo de Poheton, owned by Wolfstone Stables, finished second, while Georgina Bloomberg and Gotham Enterprizes' Metropolitan were third. Over at The Stadium, two classes were held on the grass field for the Modified Adult Amateur Jumpers and the Masters Jumpers.
The twelfth week of the FTI WEF is sponsored by Lifestyle Lift® and runs through Sunday, April 4, 2010. The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 4, 2010, and they will be awarding almost $6 million in prize money through the circuit.
Anthony D'Ambrosio designed today's course for the 1.50m Classic for a field of 34 starters. There were 13 clear to advance to the jump-off, which provided an ever-quickening pace.
"I think it was a nice course, built to 1.50m and straightforward enough. I think that's the right thing. By the end of the circuit, it's the right thing to do to give some people a chance to step up with their horses," Sweetnam explained. "There are some people gone now, so that people can go into a class like this, be competitive, and teach their horses something. I thought it was built just right. In the second round, you needed a good bit of rideability with the turn back to the wall and the combination. I think it was an ideal first round. Anthony is a clever guy. He'll build it nice so you can step up."
The course provided just that, with experienced horses on young or new horses, and less experienced riders moving up into the jump-off class, like junior rider Nellie Foosaner, who finished double clear with Iveena S to finish fifth.
The early leader in the jump-off was Sarah Segal on Holiday, who set the pace with a clear round in 44.219 seconds. Schuyler Riley took over the lead on Navalo de Poheton when she streaked around the course and down the last line to stop the timers in 43.490 seconds with a clear round. (Pictured below Shane Sweetnam and Little Emir, photo © 2010 Randi Muster/Mustphoto, Inc )
Sweetnam and Little Emir were efficient through the course, made great turns throughout and able to finish the course three seconds faster for the win in 40.371 seconds. Going last in the class, Georgina Bloomberg and Metropolitan were clear in 44.209 seconds for third place.
"It was a very good win. He's been good all circuit," Sweetnam said. "I know him very well. I've had him for four years and he's always been a real tryer. You can always depend on him. He just felt great today. He was super in the first round and even better in the jump-off."
Of Little Emir's unique form, Sweetnam noted, "He's got a different style; he doesn't have a classical style. He doesn't break through his neck in the air. But, he gets his legs out of the way. He wants to jump clear, and he's got a good bit of scope. I've World Cups, and Nations Cups, and Sundays and gotten ribbons with him. He's very dependable. That's his style, but he wants to jump. That's the most important thing." | | |
| TWOMEY TAKES FOURTH IN SPANISH GRAND PRIX
BILLY Twomey rounded off a good week at the Spanish Sunshine Tour when finishing fourth on a double clear round in today's Grand Prix with Sue Davies's chestnut mare 'Tinka's Serenade'.
The Cork-born rider was almost three seconds slower in the ten horse jump-off than French winner Michel Robert with 'Kellemoi de Pepita', who took the 24,000 euro first prize with a superb fast finishing time, seeing off a challenge from Britain's John Whitaker and 'Peppermill'. Twomey himself collected 11,000 euro for his place.
On Saturday 32 year-old Twomey claimed fifth in the Two Phase class with 'Blue Thunder', and had an eighth place in Friday's Grand Prix at the four star show, also with 'Tinka's Serenade', while on Thursday recorded a fourth, again with 'Blue Thunder', in the Accumulator class.
SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSI4* VEJER DE LA FRONTERA SUNSHINE TOUR SPAIN MARCH 18-21, 2010
Big Tour D - Grand Prix
International Jumping Competition
FEI Art. 238.2.2
1m50
Sunday, March 21, 2010
1) KELLEMOI DE PEPITA; Michel Robert (FRA) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 48.33
2) PEPPERMILL; John Whitaker (GBR) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 49.32
3) COURTNEY; Robert Bevis (GBR) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 50.92
4) TINKA'S SERENADE; Billy Twomey (IRL) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 51.30
61 starters | | |
| SHANE SWEETNAM FINISHES THIRD WITH PARENTS JERRY & MARIE SWEETNAM'S BELLE BLEU Z In the $8,000 Sentient Jet 1.45m Jumpers At The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival BY Adrienne Marciano for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc .
Wellington, FL - March 10, 2010 - Ray Texel and his mount Salvatore, owned by Pine Hollow Stables, captured the victory in today's $8,000 Sentient Jet 1.45m Jumper timed first round. Second place honors were awarded to Quentin Judge on Kannan's Girl Z, owned by Double H Farm. Cork's Shane Sweetnam and Belle Bleu Z owned by Jerry & Maria Sweetnam & Spy Coast Farm finished up in the third spot.
The ninth week of the FTI WEF is sponsored by CN and runs through Sunday, March 14. The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 4, 2010, and they will be awarding almost $6 million in prize money through the circuit.
Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela designed the course in the International Arena for a field of 24 starters. The timed first round had 11 numbered obstacles and the time allowed was 74 seconds. The course included roll back turns, opportunities to leave out strides, and a careful plank to an in-and-out.
There were 10 clear rounds, and the first competitor to set the pace in a fast time was Tiffany Foster's own mount Carlos De Noel. The pair had a faultless score and sped through the timers in 65.333 seconds. This round would be good enough to finish in the fifth place position.
The eventual winner was the next competitor to produce a flawless round. Ray Texel aboard Salvatore, an entry owned by Pine Hollow Stables, was the early leader of the class. The pair blazed through the course in a time of 60.380 seconds. This was five seconds faster than the current leading time. Despite going so early in the class, the time produced by Texel and his mount Salvatore would prevail and receive the top honors in today's class.
Shane Sweetnam on his horse Belle Bleu S, owned by Jerry & Maria Sweetnam & Spy Coast farm were the next competitors to come close to catching the leading time, but the pair fell a little short after stopping the clock in 63.981 seconds. Sweetnam would finish in the third spot with his mount.
Peter Charles aboard Murka's Nevada VI, owned by Olga White, was the next challenger to make a great effort in today's speed round. After having a faultless round, the pair passed through the timers in 64.769 seconds. This round would be good enough to receive fourth place honors.
Quentin Judge and his horse Kannan's Girl Z, owned by Double H Farm, were the last of the challengers. They made a valiant effort at trying to obtain the top spot, but went through the timers in 63.461 seconds. This effort would finish in the second place position.
Texel spoke of the course saying, "It was a very nice and appropriate course for the first day of the show." He added, "The course had long and open flowing lines, nice combinations, and turning tests."
Eddie Horowitz is part owner of the Pine Hollow Stables in Parkland, Florida with Howard and Gwen Dvorkin. The business is five months old and specializes in sale horses and a riding school. The partners of Pine Hollow Stables just hired Ray Texel as their main rider about ten days ago. The Dvorkins' young daughter, Carly, has won consistently in the Cross Rails division at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival.
Horowitz spoke very highly of the triple approved stallion Salvatore, "He went beautifully." He continued, "Ray (Texel) just took over the ride on the horse last week and this was only his second class on the horse." Texel added, "The horse is really a joy to ride and he has such a wonderful attitude."
As for upcoming plans with his new mount, Texel said, "We take it day by day and we see how we feel about the week. But the horse is a very scopey and capable horse, so I am sure we will be moving ourselves along promptly."
In the $6,000 Spy Coast 1.40m Time First Round class, Rodrigo Pessoa piloted Double H Farm's Cantate Z to the win over 52 other entries in the class. They were the fastest clear round in 52.837 seconds. Beezie Madden and Neapolitan Holdings Co.'s Prima were second in 53.015 seconds, while Kate Levy rode Starlight to third in 53.021 seconds.
This was the first day of week nine of the 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Competition will continue tomorrow with the $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round Nine at 1 p.m., while the $25,000 G&C Farm Young Riders Grand Prix will run at 7 p.m. The highlight event of the week is the $200,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix, CSI 3*, presented by CN on Saturday, March 13, at 7 p.m.
For full results and more information, please visit www.shownet.biz or www.equestriansport.com.
Final Results: $8,000 Sentient Jet 1.45m Jumpers
1. SALVATORE, RAY TEXEL, PINE HOLLOW STABLES: 0/60.380
2. KANNAN'S GIRL Z, QUENTIN JUDGE, DOUBLE H FARM: 0/63.461
3. BELLE BLEU S, SHANE SWEETNAM, JERRY & MARIA SWEETNAM & SPY COAST FARM: 0/63.981
4. MURKA'S NEVADA VI, PETER CHARLES, OLGA WHITE: 0/64.769
5. CARLOS DE NOEL, TIFFANY FOSTER, TIFFANY FOSTER: 0/65.333
6. SCARFACE, NORMAN DELLO JOIO, TONY WEIGHT: 0/67.948
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| THE CORK / KERRY BRANCH OF S.J.I ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER 2009 WILL BE HELD AT THE KILLARNEY OAKS HOTEL KILLARNEY CO KERRY MARCH 13TH 2010 AT 8PM TICKETS - ADULT 40 EURO, U14 - 25 EURO - FROM ANY CORK / KERRY COMMITTE MEMBER see contact page. MUSIC BY NEILY O'CONNOR BAND, FOLLOWED BY DISCO DRESS - SMART/CASUAL | | |
| NEW EQUESTRIAN SLOT ON RADIO KERRY A brand new weekly Equestrian feature begins tomorrow (Saturday January 23rd) on Radio Kerry. Each week, Radio Kerry Sports Presenters Joe O Mahony and Gary O Sullivan, will be joined by Munster Region Press Officer Brian Hennessy for a look at all the Local, National and International Equestrian news. Listeners in the South West can listen in to the new feature at 3.30pm tomorrow(Saturday) with a run down on latest Equestrian results included in Sunday’s programme after 5pm. INFORMATION, FACTS AND FIGURES ON RADIO KERRY Background Radio Kerry was established in 1990. The station headquarters are in Tralee, the county town of Kerry, with additional studios in Killarney and Cahersiveen.
. Broadcast Radio Kerry broadcasts on five frequencies – 96.2, 96.6, 97.0, 97.2 and 97.6FM - throughout the County of Kerry. The station can also be picked up in parts of the surrounding counties of Cork, Limerick, Tipperary and Clare and on the internet at www.radiokerry.ie. Radio Kerry was the first station outside of Dublin to take part in the DAB digital radio trial. We are ready with the latest technology if DAB continues to develop. The DAB trial brought Radio Kerry to Dublin and the greater North East region which covered approx. 36% of Ireland’s population. Listener Profile Due to the nature of a local radio station's audience profile it is necessary to cater for a variety of programming tastes. A typical Radio Kerry listener is aged between 25 - 65 and their main information requirements are current affairs, local news, sports, music, specialist speech programming and weather. Their music interests are very varied. For this reason Radio Kerry broadcasts a number of special interest music programmes nightly. JNLR/MRBI Quarterly Listenership Survey
The JNLR/MRBI Listener Survey results are released quarterly in February, May, August and November.
The latest details – NOVEMBER 2009 – are as follows:
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WEEKLY REACH
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Total
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73%
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88,000
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MARKET SHARE
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Weekdays
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7am - 7pm
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52.20%
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Saturdays
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7am - 7pm
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56.00%
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Sundays
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7am - 7pm
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59.20%
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LISTENED YESTERDAY
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Weekdays
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45%
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Saturdays
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38%
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Sundays
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38%
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AQH
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WEEKDAY
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18,604
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SATURDAY
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15,792
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SUNDAY
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15,021
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POPULATION OF KERRY
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ADULTS AGED 15+
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120,000
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Awards The station has won several Radio Advertising Awards, Community Games Media Awards, the McNamee Award for Sports Programmes, a New Adventures in Broadcasting Award, a Seachtain na Gaeilge award for Irish language programming and a BT award for technical innovation.
October 2005 … Radio Kerry named Local Radio Station of the Year at the PPI Radio Awards.
October 2006 … Radio Kerry wins the National PPI Award for Sports Coverage.
October 2007 … Radio Kerry named Local Radio Station of the Year at the PPI Radio Awards. 2008 PPI Awards
PPI Sports Programme of the Year for Terrace Talk.
PPI Silver Awards for:
Speech Broadcaster - John Drummey
Specialist Music Programme - JJ O Shea for The Global Village.
PPI Bronze Awards for:
News Programme - Radio Kerry's One O’Clock News
News Story: Coverage of the closure of the Contact 4 call centre in Dingle.
Specialist Speech Programme: Ask the Explorer - a special programme during which Explorer Pat Falvey took questions from Deirdre Walsh and schoolchildren throughout Kerry about his trip to the South Pole.
Local Station of the Year | | |
| CORK'S BILLY TWOMEY BOUND FOR THE GULF AS IRELAND TO SEND NATIONS' CUP TEAM TO ABU DHABI
IRELAND will send its first Nations' Cup team of 2010 to the five-star show at Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates next month.
The show, where every class carries world ranking points, including a 300,000 euro Grand Prix, takes place at the Ghantoot Polo Club grounds between February 3-6.
Horse Sport Ireland Team Manager Robert Splaine has announced his team, in alphabetical order, as:
Cameron Hanley; Southwind VDL
Dermott Lennon; Hallmark Elite
Cian O'Connor; Rancorrado
Billy Twomey; Je t'Aime Flamenco or Tinka's Serenade or Blue Thunder.
Splaine said today (Friday): " We are delighted to be invited to compete at this prestigious event. It is a great opportunity for us, as with the current global recession there may be fewer and fewer five-star shows available to everyone, and this will be an occasion where we can line out some of our top riders and horses. The horses will be flown out to Abu Dhabi that week.
"With five Irish riders now in the world's top 50, it is essential that we give them every chance to maintain their form, and Abu Dhabi seems ideal, with not only a Nations' Cup, but also valuable world ranking points and substantial prize money on offer."
Splaine added that Denis Lynch and Jessica Kurten would be competing in the World Cup Qualifying competition at Bordeaux in France on the same weekend in February.
"This means that six of our top-ranked riders will be in action at five-star shows over those few days. In the current economic climate I think that can only be welcomed, as there will be huge competition to get into five star shows in the season ahead," he said. | | |
| CORK’S GEORGE MURPHY WINS DUTCH PONY CLASS Cork's George Murphy scored a double of wins at the Dutch Pony and Young Rider International Show in Hengelo over the weekend, The sixteen year old from Upton in Inishshannon beat off the challenge of 47 fellow competitors to win Saturday’s 1m 15 jump off class before repeating the feat yesterday (Sunday) in the Small Tour class with 'The Freckle'. Kilkenny’s Emma O'Dwyer finished in fifth with another Irish-bred pony 'Jacknell Street' while Galway’s Michael Duffy and 'Annagowan Arrow' took sixth place
PONY SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSIJYP Cat. A HENGELO THE NETHERLANDS DECEMBER 3 - 6 2009
OUTDOOR GELDERLAND PRIZE
International Jumping Competition Ponies
Table A / FEI art.238.2.2 / 1.15m with jump off
Friday, December 4th 2009
1) MISS BOCKMANN; George MURPHY (IRL) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 33.95
2) DIAMOND; Evy MORSSINKHOF (BEL) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 34.66
3) ENZO VAN DE ZONNEHOEVE; Niels KNAPE (NED) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 34.78
47 starters
Ireland's largest equine art exhibition is currently running in University College Cork. featuring work by well known Artist Tony O’Connor. Showing until Christmas in the Electrical Engineering Building, UCC. Open 7 days: 9 am – 7 pm Recommended by Horse & Hound (19/11/09) This is the exhibition Ireland’s Horse and Pony is calling “Awesome, Breathtaking, Stunning” (Oct/Nov ‘09) Images may be viewed online: www.WhiteTreeStudio.ie | | |
| SWEETNAM ELEVENTH IN HARRISBURG WORLD CUP CLASS Co Cork's Shane Sweetnam claimed eleventh spot in the 1m 60 FEI World Cup Class in Harrisburg USA last night (Saturday).  Riding Spy Coast Farms ''Little Emir'' Sweetnam finished two places behind fellow Irishman Darragh Kenny and ''Obelix'', with Rodrigo Pessoa claiming first place with''Let's Fly''
SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSI2*-W HARRISBURG USA OCTOBER 15 - 17 2009
FEI World Cup Grand Prix de Penn National
International Jumping Competition
Time first Jump-off, 238.2.2, Mixed
competition 655.3 (World Cup Rules)
1m60
Saturday, October 17th 2009
1) LET'S FLY; Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA)
2) ROBIN VAN ROOSENDAEL; Erynn Ballard (CAN)
3) ASLAN; Ljubov Kochetova (RUS)
9) OBELIX; Darragh Kenny (IRL)
11) LITTLE EMIR; Shane Sweetnam (IRL) | | |
| CORK’S BILLY TWOMEY MAKES IT A WEEK TO REMEMBER AT BARCELONA FOUR STAR INTERNATIONAL SHOW, Billy Twomey (pictured) yesterday rounded off what was a memorable four days for the Cork man at the Spanish city of Barcelona by winning the Copa Roca Speed class with the Camilla Berger owned 12 year old gelding ‘Montanus’. Set amongst the splendid surroundings of The Real Club de Polo de Barcelona, just a few hundred yards from the famous Nou Camp football stadium, the Barcelona four star show attracted the six top teams from the FEI Nations Cup promotional league, while amongst the Individual entries were two Irish riders, Billy Twomey and Jessica Kurten. Incredibly the pair completely dominated the main classes of the show with 32 year old Twomey scoring three wins and two runner up placing’s while 39 year old Kurten won the richest class of the week ‘The Spanish Grand Prix’ collecting a car worth 30,000 euro, and also finished second in the Queens Cup on Saturday. Billy Twomey began his incredible week on Thursday, where he shared first place in the Copa Martini two phase competition with Great Britain’s William Whittaker. Twomey was aboard Michael Connaughton's Irish-bred Cavalier Royale mare 'Cavinem', and stopped the clock at 24.90 seconds. In an unusual tie, Britain's William Whitaker finished on exactly the same time with the chestnut Carthago gelding 'Clark 12'. Later the same day, Twomey was again in the winners enclosure and this time he was the sole winner of the feature class of the day, the Vanguardia Trophy, with Camilla Berger's grey gelding 'Montanus Colorado', while Antrim's Jessica Kurten claimed the runner-up spot on Lady Georgina's Forbes's 'Castle Forbes Cosma.'
By Friday afternoon the large group of International riders in attendance at Barcelona must have been wishing the Irish had stayed at home as Kurten and Twomey continued their dominance this time in the weeks feature class. Jessica Kurten became the first Irish rider in 13 years to win the prestigious Spanish Grand Prix when she took first place with Lady Georgina Forbes's nine year-old mare 'Castle Forbes Cosma', Antrim-born Kurten was one of just eleven riders through to the second round, and narrowly beat former Carrigaline resident Billy Twomey who took the runner-up prize of 18,000 euro with Sue Davies's mare 'Tinka's Serena
The last Irish rider to win the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona was the late Paul Darragh, with 'Cera' in 1996. Twomey was again in the line up in Friday evenings Trofeo Coca-Cola 1m 50 International Accumular taking runner up spot with ‘ Cavinem’ just behind Ukrainian rider Cassio Rivetti. Rounding off a superb show for the Irish, Twomey steered Cavinem to fourth place in the 1m 40 two phase, before winning the Copa Roca 1m 45 International competition with ‘Montanus’, in the final competition at the Barcelona fixture yesterday (Sunday). | | |
| BANTEER GYMKHANA SCALES NEW HEIGHT’S AS RIDERS FLOCK TO SHARE 20,000 EURO PRIZE FUND BY BRIAN HENNESSY Waterford's Francis Connors was crowned Munster 'Greyhound Night' Grand Prix League champion for 2009 at the Banteer Show in Maryville Stables, Carrigaline Co Cork on Saturday last, forming part of a superb weekends action which attracted some of Ireland’s top equestrian stars to Co Cork. Heading into the final round Connors knew just one league point would guarantee him the title, but if he failed to do so, fellow Waterford rider Gemma Phelan was waiting in the wings to take advantage. A tough course designed by British visitor Peter Gillespie saw just nine of the fifty five starters through to the jump off. One notable absentee from the second round was last weeks Limerick Show winner Gemma Phelan who looked to be heading for the perfect round with her own ‘Killcannon Brigade’’ only to agonizingly suffer a refusal at the last fence, + to end any hopes she had of lifting the overall title. Another to exit on the four fault mark was Co Cork’s Sean Walsh with the Coolcoran Cool Diamond sired ‘Kimberlite’. League leader Connors had four horses entered but was out of luck with trio Westwinds Cirracruise, Cooldaragha Murphy and Lundy Lad who all picked up faults to rule them out of the jump-off. With the Hugh Fitzpatrick owned Erne Brigade, Francis Connors made no mistake jumping the perfect clear round to join eight other competitors in the deciding round. As league points are awarded down to tenth place this pushed the eleven times National Champion over the finish line regardless of his finishing position against the clock and it was no surprise when he retired in the jump off after picking up 4 faults safe in the knowledge that the 2009 Munster Grand Prix title was his along with a cheque for 5,000 euro. Victory in Saturday’s Grand Prix went to Northern Ireland visitor Jordan Coyle, who amazingly at just 16 years old, filled the first two places finishing first with ‘’Pirate’’ and second with ‘’Larco Gii’’ to take a large portion of the 4,000 euro on offer from Co sponsors ‘’Spy Coast Farms U.S.A’’, Munster region of ShowjumpingIreland and the S.J.I sports development fund. Kilkenny’s Lisa O Farrell finished in third with Tipperary’s Seamus Hayes in fourth. Part funded by the Munster Region of Show jumping Ireland through the generosity of contributors to a fundraiser at Cork greyhound Stadium last year, the aptly named Munster ‘Greyhound Night’ Grand Prix League has attracted the cream of the sport to show jumping venue's throughout Munster and a delighted Francis Connors paid tribute to the organizers afterwards, ‘’I’m delighted to win the league title, It has been another very successful Munster League as it helps riders to give horses the experience needed to step up to grand prix level, while it is also the perfect stepping stone for our young riders. I would like to thank the organizers and in particular to everyone who contributed to the Greyhound Night Fundraiser at Cork Greyhound Stadium. After Horses took centre stage on Saturday it was the turn of the ponies yesterday (Sunday) as the top pony riders from all over Ireland descended on Banteer Show where the finals of the Premiere Pony Grand Prix League provided the main attraction. This league has been running since the first round in Co Louth last April and is Co Sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland, ShowjumpingIreland and O’Brien’s Saddlery. First up in the main arena was the 128 grade sponsored by G.E Healthcare & McKenzie transport, for the smallest ponies and as quite often happens these diminutive equines served up a cracking competition. Jumped over three rounds just one combination managed a foot perfect ‘’Triple clear round’’ with the cheers from Carigaline heard as far away as Cork City when Ellen Sweetnam from Kanturk steered father Bara Sweetnam’s ‘’The Little Hero’’ to a famous victory on home soil, to add to the National 128 pony title this pair won last week at the National Pony Championships in Mullingar. Wexford’s Lucy Allen finished runner up with Aoife Mc Donagh making the long trip from Co Galway worthwhile finishing in third. The 138 pony premiere league title sponsored by Eclipse Feeds and Sam Dennigan, headed east with Enniscorthy’s Bertram Allen steering ‘’Lough Gill’’ to pole position just ahead of Co Clare’s Laura Costello in second with Jordan Kilkenny in third. The 148 Premiere Pony final sponsored by O Brien’s Saddlery of Bandon and Middleton saw Jordan Coyle, who won the Munster Grand prix against the senior riders the day before, score another win this time with ‘’Rock DJ, with Tom Foley in second, Tom Dunworth in third and Kanturk’s Jeremy Sweetnam a popular fourth place finisher. Summing up what was a packed programme of jumping Banteer Gymkhana secretary Jerry Sweetnam suitably pleased, ‘’ We have had two days of top class sport here in Co Cork over the weekend, I would like to thank everyone involved and in particular our sponsors and everyone who contributed to the fundraiser at Cork Greyhound Stadium last year. The money raised has helped shows all over Munster to attract competitors and boost entries, for that we are eternally grateful, roll on 2010! Cork /Kerry Branch Gymkhana On Sunday next the Cork/ Kerry branch Gymkhana takes place at Ballindenisk Equestrian Park, Watergrasshill with a total prize fund of €7000, With 5 arena’s in operation there is something to cater for everyone. The highlight of the show will be the final of the Ballymaloe Country Relish National Ladies league where those qualified will jump for the €2000 prize fund sponsored by Ballymaloe Country Relish. The league winner will receive a magnificent one of a kind piece of Jewellery sponsored by Helen Clarence, a textile jeweller now based here in Cork. Also on Sunday next the €2000 Cork Kerry 1.10M final takes place, a class open to horses that have jumped a double clear at Cork Kerry shows during the outdoor season. With 22 classes in total, the action gets underway at 10am with the Amateur class featuring €300 worth of prizes sponsored by Griffin Piano’s, eleven pony classes will cater for riders of all levels as well as fun classes for members and non members of showjumping Ireland, where a €15 entry fee secures the rider a chance to jump 2 rounds regardless of faults. So why not head to the Ballindenisk Equestrian Park on Sunday next for a feast of showjumping. Enquiries to Michael at 086-2608017. | | |
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| CORK'S SHANE SWEETNAM RUNNER-UP IN GERMAN GRAND PRIX QUALIFIER TWENTY-nine year-old Irish rider Shane Sweetnam took second place in this afternoon's (Saturday) Grand Prix Qualifier at Pforzheim's three-star show in Germany. The Cork-born rider, who is normally based in Florida, piloted the Spy Coast Farm-owned stallion 'Amaretto d'Arco' through to the 16 horse jump-off and was one of just five combinations to go clear again second time out. However, a turn of speed by German rider Hans-Thorben Ruber left Sweetnam trailing in his wake by almost two seconds, and the Corkman had to settle for the runner-up spot and its 4,300 euro prize purse. SHOW JUMPING RESULTS: CSI3* PFORZHEIM GERMANY JUNE 17-20 2010 Sparkasse Pforzheim Calw prize
Qualifying Competition for the Grand Prix
Table A with one Jump Off
FEI Art. 238.2.2, 1m50
Saturday, June 19th 2010 1) Orlanda; Hans-Thorben Ruder (GER) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 43.94
2) Amaretto d'Arco; Shane Sweetnam (IRL) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 45.69
3) La Bomba; Katharina Offel (UKR) Faults 0.00/0.00 Time 47.30 47 starters | | |
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