Laurel View Equestrian Centre

03/07/2024

✨Entries close tomorrow for our Summer Dressage League (3 of 5) competition this Sunday the 7th of July!✨

01/07/2024

✨Our July dressage competition is this Sunday the 7th of July!✨
This is the halfway competition in the Laurel View Summer Dressage League (3 of 5). Check out all the tests on the July schedule, plus an extra Pony Club Area Dressage Practice class.
Class 1: BD Intro C (16) - walk, trot test
Class 2: BD Prelim 7 (02)
Class 3: BD Prelim 13 (06)
Class 4: BD Prelim 15 (08)
Class 5: BD Nov 23 (12)
Class 6: Open: BD Nov 37A (17); BD Elem 45 (10); BD Med 73 (07); BD Adv Med 92 (11)
Class 7: Pony Club: Preliminary PC70 Dressage Test 2022; Grassroots PC80 Dressage Test 2018; PC Novice Dressage Test 2020; PC Intermediate Dressage Test 2024; PC Open Dressage Test 2020.

‼️Send any entries through by noon on Thursday 4th July to make sure you are included on the July running order. We would love to see loads of you coming down the centre line at Laurel View this Sunday.

‼️This is the third of five competitions in the league, with competitors two best scores plus final score of horse & rider combos in the same class, go towards the league results.

27/06/2024

Get your diary out, don't miss out on the Six Mile Water Riding Club Working Hunter Show.

‼️Save the date‼️

Our annual working hunter competition will be held on Sunday 11th August at Laurel Laurel View Equestrian Centre, open to all, classes from x-poles to 90cm, please add to your diaries and spread the word!

Delighted to have secured sponsorship from https://www.facebook.com/KRequinevets so our prizes will be fabulous as always 😁

24/06/2024

Here are the June dressage results featuring on Horse and Field, just in time for perusal at your leisure over coffee break or lunch time. Also a timely reminder to send your entries in for the next leg on Sunday 7th July :-)

Competitors at forthcoming July leg have a chance to compete for league prizes

21/06/2024

Thank you to everyone that made Open Farm Weekend at Laurel View Farm possible!

20/06/2024

Sundays winner of the fab Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend hamper donated by Ulster Farmers' Union was Victoria Anthony from Doagh. Congratulations Victoria, now you can't say you never win anything 😁

20/06/2024

Kristine McLean from Newtownabbey was delighted to win the hamper when her feedback form was drawn as the Saturday Laurel View Farm Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend winner. It gave her daughter the perfect excuse to come back for another visit. Thank you Ulster Farmers' Union for donating ☺️

20/06/2024

Check out some of the photos from Open Farm Weekend on Sunday!

Give the Laurel View Farm account a follow to make sure you don't miss when the rest of the photos are posted tomorrow.💜

16/06/2024

As we open our farm to the public for the final day of BOI Open Farm Weekend, I want to wish a happy Father's Day to the person without whom this event at our yard would never have happened. While he doesn’t get credit for the entire event, since organising it is very much a team effort, he can be credited for the abundance of animals you can meet at Open Farm Weekend. It’s certainly no secret that Robert loves his animals, especially rare breeds.

My dad has always been an animal person, surrounding himself with animals since he was a young boy. He has as many wild and wacky stories from back in the day as he does from more recent years (if you get a chance, I recommend asking him about some of his adolescent animal antics).

Despite his addiction to collecting animals as if we are actually a zoo and his subsequent ban from online shopping (for animals, obviously), it is also one of my favourite things about him.

His love for all things animal meant my sisters and I were incredibly privileged to experience childhoods that many kids can only dream of. Yes, okay, maybe my pet sheep Amanda being my ‘best friend in the whole world’ isn’t every child's dream, but I was happy. I was surrounded by the magic of animals, and, yes, unfortunately, there inevitably comes a time when we have to say goodbye to some of those magical friends. But that's part of the experience: love, let go, and live a life honouring those magical memories by encouraging others to forge these friendships.

My dad’s understanding and appreciation for the simultaneously healing and hopeful influence of the companionship of animals have driven him to share this privilege with more than just his own family. Whether through events like BOI Open Farm Weekend, where the smiles of little children (and adults) could light up a room, or his Social Farming work, which he takes immense pride in, seeing all his social farmers gain confidence and joy from their farm encounters.

While he may stress me out with how frequently he forgets his age while completing chores and challenges that, if broadcast, would legally have to be labelled “do not attempt at home,” I admire his commitment and perseverance. Even more, I love how his storytelling, mischievous antics, and childlike adventures bring joy and excitement to everyday moments.

A quote that my dad almost unintentionally lives by, but one I think more of us should remember (myself included), is: “We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.”

Lots of love,
Your No. 1 child 💜

P.S. If you would like to keep up with all of Robert’s farming antics, I strongly suggest following the Laurel View Farm account, as I have created this page specifically so he can share all that he gets up to on the farm and with his Social Farmers.

15/06/2024

‼️Last day of Open Farm Weekend tomorrow‼️
Make sure to get down to Laurel View tomorrow so that you don't miss out on all the fun! 💜

14/06/2024

A magical day!✨
If you would like to meet some of these cute little animals make sure to come along to Open Farm Weekend this Saturday and Sunday from 12.30 - 4.30pm 💜FREE EVENT - EVERYONE WELCOME💜

13/06/2024

Open to all from 12.30 to 4.30pm this Saturday and Sunday, come on down to catch up with us on the farm.

📍SAVE THE DATE📍Visitors to Laurel View Equestrian CentreTemplepatrick can enjoy these activities on Saturday & Sunday as part of Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend. Also meet the farm family and enjoy the surroundings of this Co. Antrim farm. Free to attend, no booking required! www.openfarmweekend.com

Ulster Farmers' Union| Bank of Ireland UK| NFU Mutual| Asda| Moy Park Chicken| Beef and Lamb NI| Thompsons Feeding Innovation| Irish Farmers Journal

11/06/2024

LMC cookery demonstrations to take place during Open Farm Weekend 👩‍🍳

This weekend a number of farms across Northern Ireland will open their gates and invite members of the public in to experience what life is like on a real working farm.

Through its sponsorship of Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend, the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) is encouraging members of the public to purchase, cook and enjoy Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assured (NIFQA) beef and lamb. The Commission will run cookery demonstrations at two NIFQA farms, namely, Beattie’s Glenpark Farm, Omagh and Laurel View Farm, Templepatrick. Visitors will be invited to sample the freshly prepared dishes at the end of each demonstration.

Commenting LMC chief executive, Colin Smith said, “LMC is a longstanding partner of this initiative which over the years has become a popular event within the agri calendar. We are supportive of Open Farm Weekend’s aim of helping the public, particularly those from a non-farming background, better understand how our food is produced and to raise awareness of the importance of the local supply chain.

“As the beef and lamb industry’s promotional body LMC is dedicated to increasing consumer awareness about the provenance, traceability and sustainability of NIFQA beef and lamb. Our farming community in Northern Ireland consists largely of small family farms, with over 11,500 farms participating in the FQAS. Our farmers make an immense contribution to the production of wholesome, local food which we all enjoy. Open Farm Weekend enables the public, including those not from a farming background, to experience first hand the dedication and passion of these farmers who work to produce our food, while they also actively care for the environment.”

To provide further insight into the farm to fork journey of NIFQA beef and lamb, LMC will deliver several live cookery demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday. Schools will be able to avail of a virtual LMC cookery demonstration on Friday 14 June, with a fun and interactive recipe which pupils can make at home.

Colin continued, “We are pleased to once again provide cookery demonstrations, which emphasis the farm to fork journey of NIFQA beef and lamb. So, aside from the tasty food offering, our demonstrators will also share insight into the Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assurance Scheme, and the health benefits of incorporating beef and lamb into healthy balanced diets.”

Open Farm Weekend will take place on Friday 14 June for schools and Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June for members of the public, with LMC encouraging people from all walks of life to engage with this worthwhile free event. To view a full list of participating farms visit www.openfarmweekend.com.

09/06/2024

So now I'll round up the results from Sunday 2nd June, with the winners of Classes 4 - 6.

Class 4 - Prelim 14
Judge - Yvette Truesdale
1st Ollie, Cheryl Lawther, 68.46; 2nd Rachel, Helen Hoffin, 66.35; 3rd Ludovik K, Jennifer Kingsmill, 65.58; 4th Rosog Jodi, Sandra Campbell, 63.85; 5th Barney, Lorraine Cardwell, 62.12; 6th Dargento, Emily McNally, 61.54.

Class 5 - Novice 30
Judge - Yvette Truesdale
1st Rubane Candy, Erin McCrea, 73.65; 2nd Ernie, Sharon McKeever, 70.77; 3rd Bailey, Carole Young, 66.73; 4th Pinnochio, Zoe Daniel, 64.62; 5th Gortfree Merry, Tracey Manson, 63.46; 6th Rachel, Helen Hoffin, 62.69.

Class 6 - Open
Judge - Yvette Truesdale
1st Dante (Med), Ellen McDonald, 71.67; 2nd Pinnochio (Nov), Zoe Daniel, 69.58; 3rd Ballylin Ben (Elem), Daryl McKinney, 68.28; 4th Rubane Candy (Elem), Erin McCrea, 67.76; 5th Evie (Elem), Kristine Lynch, 66.03; 6th Ballylin Ben (Nov), Daryl McKinney, 65.83.

Superb performances to earn these places. Looking forward to seeing who takes the top spots on 7th July. :-)

09/06/2024

Dressage Ireland Northern Region have kept the Laurel View arenas busy today, which has reminded me that I have omitted to post last weeks Dressage placings to Facebook. So here goes with the winners of the second competition in the Laurel View Summer League.

Starting with Classes 1 - 3 kindly and expertly judged by Andrew Ross and Yvette Truesdale

Class 1 - BD Intro B
Judge - Andrew Ross
1st Zuri, Samantha Hamilton, 74.35; 2nd tie Blaze Tempo, Anne Hill and Hugo, Katie Watt, 68.04; 4th Bonnie, Sarah Kee, 66.52; 5th Slade, Rachel Bell, 66.52; 6th Mischief Managed, Rebecca Mullan, 66.30.

Class 2 - Prelim 2
Judge - Yvette Truesdale
1st Star, Sam Taylor, 70.52; 2nd Reva, Mya Morrison, 68.28; 3rd Ernie, Shane McKeever, 67.59; 4th Tifftarney PJ Gold, Wendy Forsythe, 64.83; 5th Clyngim Sion, Sophia McKay, 62.76; 6th Bonnie, Rachel Williams, 62.24.

Class 3 - Prelim 7
Judge - Yvette Truesdale
1st Star, Sam Taylor, 73.41; 2nd Loughmelvin Cross Naofa, Joanna McNamee, 67.50; 3rd Sunny, Andrew Ross, 64.77; 4th Barney, Lorraine Cardwell, 64.32; 5th Dargento, Emily McNally, 63.86; 6th Tifftarney PJ Gold, Wendy Forsythe, 62.50.

Top work one and all.

08/06/2024

Some of the Laurel View animals had a lovely wee afternoon at Mallusk Integrated Primary School Summer Fair this afternoon. Why not come, bring your family and friends and visit us next weekend when we are open from 12.30 - 4.30pm on both Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th for Open Farm Weekend?

04/06/2024

BHS Stage 2 & 3 Teach Taster & Training Day
Wednesday 3 July at Laurel View Equestrian Centre, Co Antrim
Join us for a Stage 2 & Stage 3 Coaching taster and training day on Wednesday 3 July at Laurel View Equestrian Centre, Templepatrick, Co Antrim.
This day will be led by Dan Spencer BHSI, BHS Assessor and it will be a great opportunity to find out what is involved in these qualifications and will provide 6 CPD Points for BHS Accredited Professional Coaches.
Click on the link to book your place
https://buytickets.at/bhscareertransitionfund/1261307
Whether you have already started training, or you are just starting your journey and looking to find out if the coaching assessments are for, this training day will provide you with essential information to successfully train towards your Stage 2 and Stage 3 Coaching assessments. You will have the opportunity to be practically involved on the day by doing some coaching, as well as to observe and discuss all aspects of the Stage 2 & Stage 3 Coaching assessment.
If you want to get involved practically, please bring hat, gloves and boots along, as these will be required to coach the lunge & lead rein lessons.
The event is supported by the BHS Career Transition Fund.
Click on the link below to book your place
https://buytickets.at/bhscareertransitionfund/1261307

04/06/2024

The next initial Two Day First Aid Course organised by BHS Ireland is on 10 and 11 June 2024 at Laurel View Equestrian Centre from 10am to 4.30pm.

Suitable for BHS Coaches and a requirement for the BHS Accredited Professional Coach Register.

They will be run with a maximum of 8 attendees and all COVID precautions will be in place.

Lunch and refreshment will be provided.

Book your place here
https://buytickets.at/bhsireland/1069283

Please only book as a Registered BHS Accredited Professional Coach if you are a current and fully paid up BHS Accredited Professional Coach in Northern Ireland. You will already have paid for your first aid course as part of your registration. If you are not currently on the BHS APC register please book as a general participant.

DESCRIPTION We have the following dates available for the BHS Ireland Initial Two Day First Aid Courses at Laurel View Equestri...

04/06/2024

Photo time :-) The Equi-Tog photos from Sundays dressage competition are now up on their website - click through to view.

29/05/2024

It's not too early to start planning where you hope to visit over Open Farm Weekend. Here are the details of all the farms that are open.

29/05/2024

‼️ Entries Close Tomorrow‼️

29/05/2024

For riding school students still to purchase their own riding hats, this might be a good time to make a visit to Doagh Equestrian

28/05/2024

Who is ready for some more dressage this weekend?

This Sunday, the 2nd of June, is our second leg of the Laurel View Summer Dressage League.

Entries please by noon on Thursday 30th May via email to [email protected], or Facebook DM or telephone 028 9083 0649.

💜Class 1: BD Intro B (09) - walk, trot test
💜Class 2: BD Prelim 2 (16)
💜Class 3: BD Prelim 7 (02)
💜Class 4: BD Prelim 14 (06)
💜Class 5: BD Nov 30 (06)
💜Class 6: Open: BD Nov 23 (12); BD Elem 43 (06); BD Med 69 (05); BD Adv Med 91 (16)

This is the second of five competitions in the league, competitors two best scores plus final score of horse & rider combos in the same class, go towards the league results.

https://fb.me/e/eiIfRjhn3

24/05/2024

The sun was shining back on the 12th May, hopefully it will make a reappearance soon, but in the meantime check out the Horse and Field coverage of the first Laurel View dressage competition of Summer 24. Thanks Bree. 🌞

Summer Dressage gets off to a bright start at Templepatrick venue

18/05/2024

Still space on this course if you want to progress your BHS qualifications. Get in touch with Linda via [email protected]

Stage 1 done, Stage 2 next on the list. Here are the details of our upcoming course. If you want to join the course or have any questions, just email Linda at [email protected] the sooner the better to secure a space. :-)

14/05/2024

Photo time :-) The Equi-Tog photos from the first leg of the Laurel View Summer Dressage League are up :-)
https://www.equi-tog.com/lvec-dressage-summer-120524-1of-5?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR34J_NhkH58QIFcd0sag0Cb6dRiukV_dBeDr9aFES6rr8AWL70V0xiELi0_aem_AdWUPgRxaCRaFNZNSS014OgiTSvCFAASWkSdsVcOeX3QXb7fsOgGrBRfPOnEsEDIXZO1ihStg6uLwzqasx1ASrRn

14/05/2024

Keep following us for more details of Open Farm Weekend at Laurel View 12.30 - 4.30pm on Saturday and Sunday 15th & 16th June.

14/05/2024

Lovely looking back at the sun shining on the smiling faces of the RDA Championship competitors.

Extremely high standards in dressage and Countryside Challenge classes