THE Irish Pony Society held their annual awards celebration on Saturday, March 23rd, in the Mullingar Park Hotel. An impressive 170 attendees made the trip to the midlands to celebrate the achievements of members for the 2023 season.

The top category awards were presented to Ella Connolly on the super-consistent Twyford Captain Morgan winning the overall M&M Category with Keelan Curley and Pantycoed Mercutio coming top in the Mini M&M Section for the second year in a row. Tabita Mini Minx had an amazing season and picked up numerous top awards on the evening, including Mini Show Hunter and Mini Working Hunter, much to the delight of riders Rohan and Lennan Moloney. The Mini Show Pony was awarded to Stephanie Fleming and her mount Whiteleaze Secret Temptation, who was also crowned Mini Pony of the Year. Harwent Moonraker with jockey Imogen Lawless Greene were crowned overall points winner and Champion Pony of the Year, along with several other overall awards.

Aoife Brennan on the wonderful Goldengrove Sunrise were recipients of the Starter Stakes and Irish-Bred awards. Overall Show Hunter was awarded to Underhill Bobcat and Charlotte Goor.

Amira Curran and Tidkin Talisman took home the Coloured Pony Award after a successful first season together.

Charlotte Kelly and Caislin Citi took home the hotly contested Overall Connemara award. Courtown Grandpa’s Girl received the Overall Novice Pony after a successful season with rider Jessica Murphy.

Emily Marnane, Dannys Pride and Evie Kennedy, Little Dromin Pheonix were jointly awarded with the Arran Bobby award, which is given to the top Connemara in open working hunter classes. Overall Working Hunter Award was presented to Ned Kelly and Tinecarrig Milo. Keeping the emphasis on hard work and dedication, Jessica Murphy had another wonderful season on the IPS circuit, picking up the Intermediate Award with the talented Darcy De Chanteloube. Cian Cusack and the wonderful Gold Digga were Performance champions.

The Youngstock Award was won by Carole Farnell’s D’Abernon Tick Tock and the Overall Breeding Pony was won by Kathy Geoghan Curley’s Connemara stallion Glencarrig Bracken for the second year in a row.

The Brandon Achievement Award was presented to Elliot Logan, who in his first year as an IPS member, was crowned Supreme Champion at the IPS Summer Championship Show. The recipients of the Pinkeen and Carew cups for the top girl and boy riders at the IPS Summer Championship Show were Amber Lane and Max Laird after a brilliant showing at the two-day event in Mullingar during the summer. Newcomer of the year was awarded to Enzo Rocco Houlihan, who in his first season, embraced the ethos of the IPS.

The Irish Pony Society had a very successful 2023, with members winning classes at home and abroad, with a large number of members qualifying for the prestigious Horse of The Year Show and Royal International.

The IPS Entertainment Committee would like to thank all who supported the evening, especially TRI, Hopoti Plus and Plusvital.