In our close knit Family Associations it is always such a sad day when we lose someone we have known for many years. So today 29th October 2021 we sadly report that Stephen Sloan passed away in the Royal Victoria Hospital having been ill for a very short time. Stephen was very competitive and evented for many years with his horse called Donovan , ably supported by his wife Barbara and daughters Nichola & Shelley. He later went into partnership with Carole Boswell competing all around these islands and beyond with her beautiful dun horses, driven as a tandem. Stephen was totally dedicated to our sport, if not competing encouraging others to do well. He had many practical skills, able to fit out lorries and alter vehicles as advances in technology required. Laterally Stephen would have been seen as a steward saluting competitors as they entered and left the dressage arena. He was never known to pass an unkind word about anyone. Today we in N.i.c.d.a salute you Stephen Sloan and thank you for your help, encouragement, friendship and hospitality over so many years.. We will miss you as your family will , but we have lots of good memories to sustain us.

Tribute from Gordon Bell

Published by Denise Taylord  · NICDA Committee Meeting – September 2021Members Update:• Our NICDA Dinner/Supper Evening has been postponed given the current NI Covid infection rate and the onset of winter. It is hoped to hold a social occasion in Spring 2022. • Many hands make light work! We are a small club and a lot of work is done by a few to run our events. Help from members is so welcome! It’s hoped that by helping, they feel actively involved too, e.g. the rapid clearing of the course at Aughnacloy. Spreading the workload means we can all enjoy our sport. • Compiling the results at competitions is an essential role. The Club is urgently appealing for several volunteers willing to be trained to input information onto Mike Watt’s Scoring Spreadsheet, which is widely used by GB Clubs. Richard and Jemma Logan kindly piloted this excellent Excel tool and found it straightforward to use. For more information/see a demonstration please contact Terry Logan via WhatsApp, mobile or email – 07802 750332 / terrylogan1048@gmail.com• Judging, course building, course designing – the Club wants to encourage and support anyone interested in developing their skills to work towards these roles. Training is available via British Carriage Driving; please contact Pauline Campbell – 07716 237550. • NICDA intends to offer a Very Small Equine (VSE) Class in 2022. More information will follow in due course.• The NICDA Event Calendar for 2022 is in development and it is hoped to run a full season of events. Initial dates so far are:Sat 30 April/Sun 1 May 2022 – Loughguile 2DE Sat 25/Sun 26 June 2022 – Terryglassog 2DESat 9/Sun 10 July 2022 – Shanes Castle 2DEIf you are willing to organise an event for the 2022 season, please contact a member of the Committee. Thank you.

It is will great sadness that NICDA reports the passing of Rosemary Mulholland today following a long illness and a very hard fought battle. Many NICDA members and friends will have fond memories of Rosemary at our events over many years. Our sincere sympathies to her husband Leslie, their family and friends at this sad time.

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Please download, fill out & bring with you to event.

By kind permission of Peter McConnell..

Organiser: Dominic Mulldoon
Course Designer: John Goodwin.
Technical Delegate: Terry Logan.
Dressage Judge: Eamon Lynch.

Full Dressage and Cones with 6 Obstacles, in a flat 38 acre field.
Catering on site… Music on the Saturday Night…. Anyone who would like to volunteer to help as  Obstacle Stewards Etc. Please contact Dominic 07394 090720 

Entries to Denise Taylor by Text or Email – 07549 868233 Email denise@nicda.co.uk  Entries close on Tuesday 24th August.
Directions: In Aughnacloy at the Bureau-de-Change, turn left onto Ravalle Road, aprox., half a mile to venue.
All are welcome to park-up on Friday night and permitted to use corrals for stabling.

It is with great sadness that I am writing to give note that John Cowdery has passed away.

John was a ‘founder member’ in the early days of British Carriage Driving in the early 80’s. In many ways John and his carriage driving  ‘ cohorts’ set the tone of competitive carriage driving , they were a great ‘team’, It was a far cry from the traditional coachmanship which John held as a true passion but John embraced the changes and through the early days of Carriage Driving ,as a competitive sport, many of the traditions and standards were maintained.

I have been asked by Sara Clingan to write this on behalf of the NICDA, we were both mentored by John as apprentice Judges and he was incredibly kind and imparted his knowledge and views with a quiet authority.

When we were both competing in the single pony classes in the early 80’s , 2 rookie drivers with modest but pocket rocket ponies , John’s help was always there, this from a coachman at the highest level.

In his time with British Carriage Driving John’s input will always be  highly valued .

The last time I saw John was at Lowther were he was commentating, he ,like his son Andrew had a good voice for commentary, my only regret is that I never heard him sing, he was a grand chorister!

On a personal note Bill and I had many happy times with John and Pat, great memories.

Thank you John.

Thoughts are with the family.

Mary Bryson

NICDA are very pleased to announce our next event will be at the Dirraw Farm Equestrian Centre, Finvoy. Ballymoney on Saturday 24th July.

ODE. Dressage, Full Cones, and 4/5 Obstacles with Water Splash.

. Track & Trace Forms :.. Please download or copy and bring with you. This applies to everyone attending event. Entries to Denise Taylor Mob 07549868233..Please give details of Class.

Everyone welcome on Friday night, Campfire and Singsong….

Entries A.S.A.P. no later than Tuesday, 20th July. Entry fee £35 Juniors £20 Cash on the day please.

Click Link Below for details of Event.

Please Get Entries in by Thursday 1st. July. Entries to Sharon 07921192762

Entry Fee £60 .. Juniors £30