Carrig Wood is a combination of spruce, larch, and beech woods. Clear felling of the evergreens by Coillte, The semi state forestry organisation, has been ongoing for a number of years resulting in bare patches on the mountain. The broad leaf sections thankfully have been left alone. A legacy of the recent children’s hunt is a jumping course combining natural obstacles such as fallen trees, ditches, dykes, and logs criss crossing between the beech woods and the pine forestry. It adds a new dimension to what is an enjoyable place to ride out the horses and ponies.
Howard and Alan Woods of, Tally Ho Connamara’s, wanted to school a couple of youngsters, thus an arrangement was made to meet at the entrance to Carrig Wood on Sunday morning last. Crisp and frosty with no wind and a clear blue sky, it was a fine morning to be out.
The relations were up for the weekend and it did not take much persuading for the niece and sister in law to accept a steed and join the party. The idea was for the inexperienced horses and ponies to mix with the senior animals in a group situation and learn from the outing. The new jumping course being an ideal environment given its natural location.
Young Erica and her green pony had a ball negotiating logs, ditches, and banks. The pony was well up for it and Erica showed her ability as a young rider which was duly noted by Alan and Howard. “As good a pair of hands as we have seen in a long while for someone so young”.
The morning progressed with a trek along various forest paths before another round of jumping. The horses and ponies working up a sweat and enjoying the ride out.
On the day Erica’s pony showed its class, is definitely a prospect, and would be a credit to any junior rider once it has a few more miles on the clock.
Where would you get it? Sunday morning in good company, enjoying the fresh air and shooting the breeze. I’m often asked about living in a remote area and possible disadvantages. Whisper it, ” there are no disadvantages”.
