THE Shillelagh Hunt Branch of the Pony Club, as a result of winning the pure dressage competition at the Pony Club Championships in Barnadown in July, were invited to compete at the JCB National Championships at Offchurch Bury, Warwickshire. The team, consisting of Jane FitzGerald (Ballymurphy Hughie), Lucy Keane (Ballycreen Kings Mistress) and Ned Kelly (Fiona’s Fionn) made the trip and acquitted themselves very well on what was a very competitive stage.

The event took place on Thursday of last week and the versatility of these combinations was evidenced in their exploits upon their return with Lucy Keane going straight into the RDS (from the ferry!) and taking third place in the Intermediate Combined Training and Jane FitzGerald finishing second in the Eventing Ireland 1.10m at Tattersalls on Sunday. The team is very grateful to Mark Ruddock for his coaching and guidance throughout the summer.

The versatility of the Shillelagh Hunt Branch was also evidenced by its victory in the Senior Mounted Games at the RDS.