THE Iveagh Pony Club grounds in Moyallon, Co Down were a sea of yellow last Saturday when the much-missed Tiggy Hancock was remembered through a working hunter fund-raiser in aid of Tiggy’s Trust.

In the days leading up to the show, it was a real team effort with parents volunteering to paint jumps a vibrant yellow plus build and dress courses while others spent two early mornings at Moira Sunflowers picking sunflowers to sell on the day when yellow ribbons and badges were also much in evidence.

There were over 210 competitors on Saturday, tackling courses from x-poles to 1.10m, and the prize-winners received beautiful yellow rosettes and sashes from Roberta’s Rosettes and Honeyhill Rosettes while Premier Saddlery provided fabulous prizes and rugs. Judy Maxwell from Baileys Horse Feeds was on hand with equine treats while others whose contributions were much appreciated were photographer Tori O’Connor and Jeremy Trimble of Trimprint, Portadown.

The show would not have been the success it was without the organisational skills of Iveagh parent Lisa Tumility and her dedicated team of Branch volunteers, both front of house and behind the scenes.

The courses were designed by Saintfield’s Toni Donnelly who judged the 70cms and upwards classes in the grass arena along with north Co Dublin’s Kevin McGuinness. Donnelly had made the most of the natural contours of the arena with use of a ditch, banks, steps, etc.

Their winners were Tilley Tumilty on Sparky in the J.J. Taylor & Co Solicitors 70cms performance hunter class and, in the working hunter classes, Pippa Moore on Seapatrick Make a Move (Best Body Repairs 75cms), Kara Cosgrave with Beechill Sue (Loughwood Timber 85cms), Kitty Cullen riding Moyans Dun Deal (Trench Control NI 90cms), Tilley Tumilty again but this time riding Millbarr Phynix (Home Protection Services 95cms), Katie Robinson on Duncarberry Cascade (Peacehaven Care Services 1m) and Kate Shields with Melody Maker (Lavery Claims Management 1.10m).

Chloe Thompson and Alistair McDonald judged the classes in the sand arena where their winners were Cora Kelly on Drombeg Callie Rose in the Midland Equine and Noel Hynds Farriery Services assisted x-poles class, Taylor-Lee Doyle competing on Jack-A-Roo in the Mulgrew family and Free Spirit Equestrian non-assisted x-poles class, Ellie Murphy riding Waitwith Dynasty in the Honeyhill Rosettes and White Cottage Stables 50cms cradle stakes – that pair doubling up in the JMW Farms 60cms performance working hunter class – while Ellie Murphy landed the Select Insurance 65cms performance hunter class on Milford Spectacular.

All the judges remarked on the high turn-out and were only too happy to provide competitors with tips to improve their performance.