THIS weekend, five members of the Irish Pony Club are representing Ireland in the mounted games competition at the Royal Bath and West Show in Shepton Mallet, Somerset.
Under the guidance of team trainer Chris Ahearne, the squad comprises John Nolan (Laois Hunt Branch), Stephen Sharry (Shillelagh & District), Josh Hickey (Kildare) and two members of the Island Hunt Branch, Niamh O’Leary and Daragh Montague. This is third international trip being undertaken by an IPC mounted games team this year.
The final of the IPC’s mounted games spring league will take place on Sunday next, June 10th at Waterford Show.
The third leg of the series was hosted last Sunday by the Shillelagh & District Branch at the Tinahely Riding Club grounds in Coolboy, Co Wicklow where, for the third time in the Under 10s’ competition, the maximum 10 points were awarded to the Island Hunt Branch. The hosts were second on nine points and go into the final in that spot with 25 points, one ahead of both Wexford and Carlow.
In the Junior competition, the Wexfords also dominated and they are on the full 30 points with the Kildares and Shillelaghs both on 24. The Islands boosted their points’ tally when second on Sunday and are on 22 points going into next weekend.
(See more in Pony Tales on A66)
Entries closing
ENTRIES close tomorrow, Sunday, June 3rd, for the first of this season’s Connolly’s Red Mills/Irish Pony Club eventing qualifiers which will be staged by the Carlow Branch on Sunday next, June 10th, at Newtownbarry House, Bunclody.
The championship classes being advertised are for Intermediate, Junior and Under 12s, the last event being confined to those IPC members who are aged between 10 and 11. There will also be a non-championship Under 12s class for members aged between eight and 11.
There will be one other opportunity this month to qualify for the August finals in Ballindenisk when Area 7 hosts a qualifier at Killossery Lodge Stud on Sunday, June 24th.
Contesting tetrathlon
GOOD luck to the IPC members who are competing in the Junior Regional Tetrathlon competition at Moreton Morrell in England this weekend.
Meanwhile, on Bank Holiday Monday, the Golden Vale Branch is hosting the inaugural National Novice Triathlon 80 competition between Thurles Leisure Centre and Mahers of Killough, outside Thurles. Good luck to all those competing and don’t forget, entries for the Holmestead Saddlery minimus championships close with the IPC on Wednesday next, June 6th.
Talent Pathway
THE three members from Area 17 (Northern Ireland) of The Pony Club who have been selected for the Talent Pathway have been named and are looking forward to their training camp at the end of this month.
The assessment day took place early in May at Laurel View Equestrian Centre, under the watchful eye of Toni Donnelly and Jane MacFarlane, and those selected are Claire Ireland (North Down, dressage), Ben Rowlatt McCormick (East Down, eventing) and Clara Daly (RD Equestrian centre, show jumping).
The training camp will be held over the weekend of Friday, June 29th until Sunday, July 1st July in Solihull, England where, during three days of fun, enthusiasm and learning, those taking part will work with top-class sport-specific coaches, as well as benefit from other mounted and dismounted sessions.
A squad of six people will be selected from those attending camp. Squad members will benefit from support from an experienced mentor who will continue to develop their progression and training within their discipline, plus a training bursary and other opportunities. Last year’s squad included North Down member and now Pony Club ambassador Jasmin Vollands who specialises in dressage.