Local man living in California first to compete for Ireland in Western Equestrian event
Oliver Galligan of Killashandra is the first Irish citizen to compete in the FEI for Ireland in the Western sport of Reining.
Ollie was recently issued a competition card from Sport Horse Ireland to compete for Ireland. This is the first card to be issued to an Irish equestrian for the sport of Reining.
Ollie, son of Seamus and Lily Galligan of Ned Doogarry Killashandra, Co. Cavan has been living in the United States for the past 11 years. Ollie started riding in Drumcoura City, Co. Leitrim where he met Ben Balow, a Western Horseman who was visiting from Arizona. Ollie was then offered a job in the States with this trainer, who he apprenticed with until starting his own business in 2000. Ollie now resides in Petaluma California with his wife Gillian, where he runs a successful reining horse training business.
In Ollie Galligan's first qualifying competition held near San Francisco, California, there were riders competing for Italy, Australia and the United States. Ollie tied for third place behind two US competitors. This successful first show is the first of three qualifying shows to make eligibility to compete for Ireland in the 2010 World Games held in Lexington, KY USA.
To qualify, a rider must compete with a score of 68 or better in three qualifying competitions. Ollie Galligan scored a 71 under the first judge, Tim McQuay and a 72 under the second judge, Pete McAllister, securing this first qualifying show. Ollie Galligan is very excited and proud to be competing for Ireland.
Reining is designed to show the athletic ability of ranch type horse in the confines of a show arena. Contestants are required to run one of ten approved patterns, divided into seven or eight manoeuvres, including small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, 360 degree spins done in place, and the exciting sliding stops that are the hall mark of the reining horse.
Despite the seemingly relaxed attitude of both horse and rider and the loose reins typical of the discipline, Reining is a high level competition sport requiring concentration and high riding competence. Reining was approved as an FEI discipline in 2000 and covers horses of 6-years and over.
The number of international competitions organised throughout the world is growing at a healthy pace: from three in 2001 the number has increased to 43 in 2008 with events organised in the United States of America and Canada, but also in Italy, France, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Israel and Brazil. (taken from FEI website www.fei.org)
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Weather for Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland
Sunday 05 February 2012
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