Showjumper Mary Ellen Rice rounds off successful year

2008 has been a very successful year for Mary Ellen Rice from Dalystown, Mullingar. Her season started off with a weeks bursary training in the Army Equitation School in McKee Barracks, this bursary was the prize for winning the Irish Pony Club Classic League.This along with continuous training with Ian Fearon proved invaluable for Mary Ellen and her 7yr old mare "Tell It Like". They started the season competing in the Spring 1.35m Guidam Grand Prix League. Their best results came in Killossery when they were in the jump off and Cavan with just 4 faults (1 fence down).The next major goal for Mary Ellen was qualifying for the R.D.S., which is achieved with "Tell It Like" they qualified in the 7yr old class, they were one of only four clear rounds in the Balmoral qualifier for the R.D.S.Just three days after qualifying for the R.D.S., Mary Ellen and "Tell It Like" jumped their first one star International show in the fabulous facility that is Mullingar Equestrian Centre.This was the first time for the Fagan family to run International competitions as part of their June show jumping festival. The pair jumped extremely well with a clear in the first days speed and 4 faults on the two following days. Mary Ellen also competed in the National classes at this show with "New Hope" placed third in the 1.10m qualifier, "Pride of Cavalier" (owned by Matt Kane, Co. Cavan) placed third in the 5 & 6yr old Derravaragh final and her other two horses Ravalou (owned by Philip Cullen & Frances Dalton, Milltownpass) and Dreamers Light gaining clear rounds at the show.In August Mary Ellen full filled a goal to jump in the main arena in the R.D.S. She and "Tell It Like" unfortunately had the second last fence down for 4 faults which kept them out of the ribbons.The next championship show for Mary Ellen was the Cavan in September. This show was again very successful especially for the 5yr old "Pride of Cavalier". He qualified for the 1.10m final, finishing 8th in the final and also qualified for the prestigious Cavan Classic 5yr old final.The following weekend Mary Ellen jumped her first 1.40m Grand Prix with "Tell It Like" with two fences down, there was no prize money for them, but it was a great result for the young partnership. This show did provide some placings for Mary Ellen though with "Tell It Like" winning the 1.30m league and final "Pride of Cavalier" being 2nd int he 1.10m league and final, 2nd in the 1.20m league and the next day finishing 3rd int he 1.10m and "Ravalou" placing 3rd in the 1.10m final, and 3rd in the 1.20m league and 5th in the 1.10m on the SundayThe final show of the season for Mary Ellen and her team of young horses was the November, Cavan International. She brought four horses with her and qualified for six finals. "Tell It Like" qualified for the 1.20m, 1.30m and 6 & 7yr old finals, "Pride of Cavalier" qualified for the 1.10m and 5ry old finals and "Ravalou" qualified for the 1.10m final.Apart from the jumping Mary Ellen has been coaching, with some of her pupils best results to include qualifying for the Odyssey and competing in ABCs and CDs around the country.This most defiantly has been Mary Ellen"s best season jumping to date. She is very optimistic about her 2009 season. Mary Ellen says "she is very lucky to have loyal and supportive owners with talented horses". She aims to compete regularly on the Grand Prix circuit in 2009 and hopefully a few shows in the U.K. Mary Ellen would like to thank all her owners for their continued support and trust and a special thanks to the Bridge House Stud (Ballynacargy) for sending so many talented horses to her especially "Ravelou" who is by Classic Vision X Dow Jones Courcel two of the Bridge House Studs resident stallions and "Pride of Cavalier". Mary Ellen would like to also Ardent Equestrian Athlone and Classic Rugs for their sponsorship this year. We are currently actively looking for sponsorship for 2009, any interested parties can contact the team at sponsershipmer@gmail.com