THE final home pony internationals of the season took place at Southview in Cheshire last weekend, with a record number of Irish riders travelling to Britain.
Team qualification began last Thursday with the 128/138cms handicap class, that incredibly saw the Irish claim all of the top-10 places.
Jason Foley took first and second with Bear Me In Mind and Mayfly Green Peter respectively, with Ryan Sweetnam and Holycreek Oran Splendour finishing in third. In the 148cms debut class, Kerrie Kerr took runner-up spot on Knockannaveigh Limited Edition. The 1.20m open saw Ireland fill the top six places, with Cian Harrison and Greta taking a win just ahead of Ciaran Nallon and Sligo Little James, with Robbie Clancy and Bertie Brown taking third.
The second day of team qualifying action, saw Tom Wachman and Murphy Spartacus take victory in the 128cms class, ahead of John McEntee and Star Spangled Banner in second.
The 138cms class saw Ireland fill the top-five places. Jason Foley and Ferrybank Roy came out on top and he also took runner-up spot with Buttons Two ahead of Kate Derwin in third with Small Titan. Patrick Hickey added another win in the 148cms debut class on Shercock Rose, before the Irish claimed seven of the top nine placings in another 148cms competition. Kate Derwin winning on Vales Blue Melody, ahead of Patrick Hickey (New Forge Lady) in second and Jason Foley (Lynncot Fancy Pants) in third.
Friday’s 128 team event saw Ireland represented by Ashley Dunne (Wingland Heloise), Tom Wachman (Murphy Spartacus), Ryan Sweetnam (Holycreek Oran Splendour) and John McEntee (Star Spangled Banner). They were level with England on a zero score after the opening round, with further clears from Dunne and Wachman and McEntee second time out, seeing the Irish grab the gold medal, with England finishing on four faults in second.
The 138cms team final saw yet another victory for Ireland. Jason Foley (Mayfly Green Peter), Max Wachman (Dycott Montana), Kate Derwin (Small Titan) and Harry Allen (Scarletts Billy The Kid), once again finished on a zero score with England settling for runner-up spot on four faults.
GOLD MEDAL
Irish domination continued in the 148cms debut team event. Sean Monaghan (Springhill Rebellious), Kerrie Kerr (Knockannaveigh Limited Edition), Louise Mahon (Outta Control) and Robbie Clancy (My Castlehill Lass), claimed the third gold medal of the day ahead of Scotland and England.
The final 148cms team event, saw Ciaran Nallon (Sligo Little James), Cian Harrison (Greta 111), Patrick Hickey (New Forge Lady) and Kate Derwin (Vales Blue Melody) share the silver medal with Wales on a total of 12 faults behind England who finished on four.
Sunday’s final Grand Prix classes a Southview saw an Irish whitewash. The 128cms Grand Prix saw Max Foley and Sparkel score a win with Tom Wachman and Murphy Spartacus in third place.
Jason Foley then landed the 138cms Grand Prix aboard Buttons Two, just ahead of Harry Allen and Scarletts Billy The Kid.
Michael Pender and Cul Ban Mistress completed the Irish hat-trick, winning the 148 Grand Prix on Sunday evening, with Abbie Sweetnam and Dynamite Spartacus in third completing an incredible four days of action by Irish pony riders.