AS life returns to some sort of normality, it was great to see the Connolly’s Red Mills/Irish Pony Club series of one-day events commence at Rosanna House last Sunday.

This event had been re-arranged following the tragic death of former Carlow and Kilkenny Branch member Tiggy Hancock in whose memory so many of the young riders, parents, officials and volunteers wore yellow in her memory.

Hosted by the Wicklow Branch, the fixture attracted an entry of nearly 170 members from Branches throughout the organisation and ranging from Under 12s to those competing at Intermediate level. Contact tracing forms had to be filled in and submitted prior not only to the event but to any course-walking on Saturday.

There were two Intermediate arenas in operation with the honours in Arena 2 going to the Wexford Branch’s Flora Doran on the eight-year-old bay gelding Broughlone Nelson. The final leaderboard in Arena 3 showed a win for the Wicklows’ Bohm Leahy and the 12-year-old Chinook Eclipse mare Oakfield Mayas Wish.

The new Intro Intermediate class attracted an entry of 15 with the inaugural winner being the Kildare Hunt Branch’s Lauren Keatley riding the 12-year-old grey gelding, Celoso Ixii.

The Shillelagh Branch struck in the Junior Arena 4 through Ned Kelly and the 10-year-old dun gelding, Tinnecarrig Milo, with the honours at the same level in Arena 5 going to the Carlows’ Clodagh Hendy riding Finnegan.

The Kildare Branch won two of the three arenas which were required to cater for all the Junior competitors. In Arena 1, the final leaderboard was topped by India Cox riding Dunmaster while, in Arena 3, Isabelle Walsh claimed the honours on Gooch. Ellie Kavanagh of the Carlow Branch, won Arena 2 on Inishturkbeg Cloisin.

Red Mills eventing series

For the month of July, the Red Mills eventing series continues today at Coolboy and on Sunday next at Crecora. The usual mid-week fixture at Sleedagh Farm is scheduled for Wednesday week, July 14th, followed by Grove (July 18th) and Punchestown (July 25th).

This is a particularly busy time for IPC members as Area qualifiers are taking place for the three-day Festival Championships at Barnadown (July 28th to 30th) while there is also regional training for Tetrathlon.

Prior to the Festival, there are still two rounds of mounted games competitions through which to qualify viz today at Cork showgrounds and next Saturday at Punchestown.