TRADITIONALLY staged mid-week, the Killinick Branch’s leg of the Connolly’s Red Mills/Irish Pony Club eventing series was held last Wednesday week in Sleedagh where, happily, the sun shone throughout in contrast to the miserable weather on the days either side.

While qualification for the national championships at Tattersalls next month was the focus of visiting competitors, for the hosts it was a particularly poignant occasion as it marked the first presentation to the highest-placed Killinick member in the Under 12s section of the Dawn Ward Cup. The cup was introduced in memory of the Sligo native who sadly died in April following a long and brave battle with cancer.

Dawn, who was a much-loved instructor, committee member and parent in the club, dedicated a huge amount of her time to teaching the younger members with great patience and was responsible for the dreams of many coming true when they made the very special trip to ride at the Dublin Horse Show with their musical ride on three occasions. Dawn’s husband Dara and all four of their children, Naoise, Cealan, Seren and Eja were present for the presentation of the new cup to 11-year-old Tommy Codd who, on his dressage score, won Section A on board the five-year-old 138cms gelding, Killea Charley.

Saoirse Carty also completed on her flat work mark to win Section B with the 14-year-old grey gelding Sandy Banks, bringing up a double for the Offaly Branch which was initiated in the Intro Intermediate class by Leah Murphy riding the Connemara gelding Woodfield, a seven-year-old grey by Woodfield Oisin.

A Junior double was recorded by the Kilkenny Branch thanks to Eve Doyle on another Connemara gelding, Claire Goodwillie’s 13-year-old Bobby Joe grey Paddy B, in Section A and to Sophie O’Callaghan riding Newmarket Dancer in Section C. Saoirse Tagney landed Section B with the Connemara gelding Gorthanedin Mist, a 10-year-old grey by Robe Thunder.

The Wicklow Branch struck in the Intermediate where, left in front on her dressage score, the honours went to Lucie McAlister who was on board another Connemara gelding, the 18-year-old grey Jackie Joe. Despite a pole down show jumping, Susan O’Brien of the Island Branch led from start to finish in the Novice Junior to win with the Irish Sport Horse mare Chapelhill Ebony, an eight-year-old daughter of Krafty Clover.

The show jumping tracks at Sleedagh were built by Felim O’Dowd while the cross-country course was designed and built by Fintan Scallan and the Killinick Branch’s District Commissioner, Larry O’Keefe, joint-host of the qualifier along with Sleedagh Farm.

IPC stalwart Alice Mernagh and her son Scott, welcomed 118 Killinick members to Moorfields for the Branch’s annual camp earlier this month when the weather was a bit hit and miss. During the week, there was a visit from two members of the Garda Mounted Unit one day while some of the older members visited Joseph O’Brien’s racing yard and the Forth Mountain cross-country course. Younger members went to Tykillen Farm.