FETHARD’s Katie Wyse left Killossery Lodge Stud on Tuesday laden down with prizes as the 2023 Irish Pony Society’s Sport Pony Challenge came to its conclusion.

Most obviously, Wyse first landed the Connemara final for riders over 16 years of age on her mother Anna’s Castleside JJ Junior gelding Illaunurra Bay with whom she won the first of three qualifiers, also at Killossery, in April. The combination then won the Festival Mountain and Moorland working hunter championship at the Northern Ireland Festival in Cavan after which the pony went on a mini-break.

“I was doing my Leaving Cert so had to concentrate on that!” said 18-year-old Wyse. “We came back for the RDS Connemara performance hunter qualifier at Tullylish and, while we didn’t get on so well there, we qualified next time out at Scarteen. Before we head to Dublin, I’ll probably do the Kildare and North Leinster Region show at Tattersalls next week and the Midlands Connemara show in Mullingar next Sunday (July 24th).”

Wyse left Killossery with the Bob Marley Trophy as the winner of Tuesday’s final, a Sports Pony Challenge rug (sponsored by Rachel Hamilton-Bennett) as winner of her league, €100 presented by committee member and judge Pat Byrne as rider of the highest-placed Irish-bred pony at the final and the Rough Diamond Trophy presented by Hamilton-Bennett for the overall champion. Jane Hancock presented special sashes to the overall champion and reserve on finals day.

The Grey Victory Trophy for the winner of the Connemara final for riders under 16 was presented to Isabelle Mahon who partnered the 12-year-old Gurteen Dara mare Murvey Kate to victory. Here, locally-based Maggi Caffey won the league with Loughwell Bobby on whom she was successful in a section of the Junior class at the Irish Pony Club one-day event in Stradbally two days previously.

All other final winners received a trophy sponsored by supporters of the Challenge while rugs were presented to all league winners.

Winners

The height final winners were Isla Coad with Frosthill Jackaroo (133cms), winners also of their league; Evie Kennedy on Blackwoodland Breeze (143cms); Rosie Coad riding the reserve overall champion Blackhall Summer (153cms); and Alisha Vard with Lookout Bundaburg (158cms) who also won their league. Kate Moore won the novice final on Epic Wildfire while Tristan Kelly partnered Litton Flashman to victory in the starter stakes combined training final.

Tristan’s brother Ned won the 143cms league with Rowdown Archer and Alisha Vard doubled up when claiming the 153cms league on Galtee Donal.

Also this week, the IPS’s working hunter committee named the squad selected for the international working hunter championships which take place at the Scottish National Equestrian Centre in rural West Lothian on Monday and Tuesday, August 7th and 8th.

In alphabetical order, the squad, which is supported by TRI Equestrian, comprises Isla Coad, Rosie Coad, Lara Field, Ned Kelly, Evie Kennedy, Hannah Mackey, Aisling Malone and Ailsha Vard. The exact make-up of the two teams will be announced nearer the championships.