MUCH is being discussed about return to school protocols but members of Pony Club Branches in both jurisdictions on this island are far more interested in which competitions are going to take place over the next few weeks.

This was the weekend scheduled for the Irish Pony Club Festival in Barnadown but, like so many other sporting events this year, the hugely popular three-day extravaganza had to be cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, some IPC championships are going ahead and recently three members of the Ward Union Branch helped launch the National Tetrathlon Championships at the Swords, Co Dublin showrooms of generous sponsor, Volvo at Joe Duffy.

Some 220 senior and junior IPC members are expected to descend on Killossery Lodge Stud in north Co Dublin for the four-phase championships (cross-country riding, swimming, shooting and running) over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, August 22nd and 23rd.

“Volvo at Joe Duffy is delighted to sponsor the National Tetrathlon 2020 and show our support for the work of the Irish Pony Club again this year,” said company sales manager, Ken Rooney. “As a voluntary youth organisation, the IPC is a valuable outlet for young people and their mental health, particularly during these challenging times.”

In reply, John Flood, the IPC’s chairman of Tetrathlon, commented: “We are delighted that Volvo at Joe Duffy has decided to come on board as the primary sponsor of our National Tetrathlon competition. Volvo at Joe Duffy has deep ties in the community and this partnership will develop and enhance our Tetrathlon competition.” Mel Doyle Photography, a long-time supporter of the National Tetrathlon Championships, will continue his welcome sponsorship.

Tomorrow, the Kildare Branch of the IPC is staging a training one-day event at Punchestown where strict Covid-19 protocols will be observed. The cross-country course has been designed by Dereck Hamilton who also designed the tracks used for last weekend’s Eventing Ireland fixture at the racecourse where Kildare Branch member Ben Connors won Saturday’s EI100 (P) on Cornafest Fred.

Rosanna event

In other IPC news, the Wicklow Branch is holding a one-day event at Rosanna, Ashford next Sunday, August 9th, for which entries close on Thursday. A week later, on Sunday, August 16th, the Meath Branch is hosting a Pony Club jumping show for individuals and teams at Killossery Lodge Stud for which the entries close on Wednesday, July 12th.

Home Championships

Up in Area 17 of The Pony Club (Northern Ireland), entries filled quickly for the Home Championships in eventing. For the first time, these will take place over two days, with dressage and show jumping on Sunday, August 30th and cross-country on Bank Holiday Monday, August 31st.

The Tullylagan Branch, which has 60 members represented by 48 families, is hosting the event at the Campbell family’s Dirraw Farm outside Finvoy in Co Antrim, another venue which also features on the EI calendar. As usual, classes will range from 40cms to 1m, for teams and individuals, and the Branch has been delighted with the support and sponsorship received from various companies throughout the Area.