IN October last year, three members of the Irish Pony Club took the A Test at Spruce Lodge, Co Wicklow where the ever-supportive Joan Keogh provided the lunge horses while the candidates brought two mounts apiece for the ridden sections.

Derval Diamond, chair of the IPC’s Training Committee, explained the process. “We started in the magnificent outdoor arena, with a super show jumping track designed by Tom Holden, and built by Michael O’Connor, which tested the rider more than the horse. It stood a full 1.10m and posed questions but rode very well for all three candidates, both on their own horses and when they swapped mounts.

“We next moved on to the cross-country phase where, again, the three candidates rose to the challenge and dealt very well with the many different types of fences and combinations, banks, water, ditches, skinnies, etc. Then we had the lungeing and young horse training section, followed by lunch. Afterwards, our candidates came into the indoor in top-class dressage mode when, once more, we had three swaps so everyone got to ride all the horses.

“One candidate, Susie Shekleton, came out with an honours pass. Aoife Keogh also came out with a pass and both girls were thrilled. Disappointingly, our third candidate was very close, but not quite there on the day. Our two assessors, Jillie Rogers and Faith Ponsonby, were brilliant, positive, encouraging and such a pleasure to work with, while making sure the standard was upheld.”