IRISH pony riders had a very successful trip to the Scottish Home Pony International at the Morris EC on the outskirts of Kilmarnock, following on from a brilliant run of results the previous week at Wales and West.

The Irish 128cms team of Victoria Thompson (Sparkling Mr Tigger), Karla O’Donnell (Dawns Little Princess), Sophie Doherty (Emerald Lucky) and Alex Finney (Ballyknock Master Roan) finished the first round on a zero score. With the fences raised for the second round, the Irish remained on a clean sheet alongside England, with a jump-off required to decide the winners.

Despite a brilliant effort from the Irish quartet, it was the English who took the gold medal by the slimmest of margins, with Ireland collecting silver.

A relatively inexperienced Irish 138cms team pushed England and hosts Scotland all-the-way before settling for bronze. Elle Johnston (Lynncourt Montana), Victoria Thompson (Triple Treat), Sean Foley (K C Lady) and Alex Finney (Coltstown Dun Cruiser), finished the first round on a zero score and added just four faults second time out. England and Scotland both finished on a clean slate, with the home side winning gold after a jump-off.

Ireland took their third medal of the show in the 148cms category when finishing in bronze medal position behind Scotland and England. Carl Webb (Future Lady), Olivia Thompson (Simply Dun), Jodie Giles (Whos DJ) and Beth Doherty (Springill Cosmo), formed an Irish team made up of four dun ponies.

All nations except for Wales remained on zero after round one, but a single pole on the ground second time out kept the Irish out of the jump-off between England and Scotland.

Earlier, the under 11 team event saw Ireland represented by Yiayan Evans, Charles Heffron, Arthur Conlon and Jemima Heffron. This young team performed extremely well and were unfortunate to be just outside the medal positions.

In the individual classes, Beth Doherty and Springhill Cosmo claimed top spot in the the JA Open, while Leah McVeigh and Classiebawn Scardens Jack were winners of the Foxhunter, with Elle Johnston and Knockagarron Fear Bui in runner-up spot. Sean Foley and Vintage Montana landed the 1.05cms class, while Sara Moore justified her first trip away when winning the newcomers with Seapatrick Make A Move. Patrick Boyle completed the Irish success when taking the red rosette in the 1.15cms class with What A Legend.