OVER the years, the combined training at the RDS has unveiled some talented young riders. International event rider Cathal Daniels won the Members’ division in 2014, and last year’s runner-up, Ava Dowley (Ida 83), was a winner of the CCI**S in Kilguilkey last June.

Confined to riders who have been members of the Irish Pony Club for at least two years, it attracts great competition each year, with one winning combination from each of the nine Area qualifiers in the Republic, along with two in the north from one qualifier, eligible to compete in the Intermediate (1m) and Members’ (1.10m) sections. It consists of a dressage phase and jumping phase.

Each combination had put in a lot of preparation, and, despite the dressage element clashing with the Nations Cup on the Friday afternoon, both horses and riders did well to stay composed in the electric atmosphere in Ring 1.

In the Intermediate, Killinick Branch member Caoimhe Murphy got off to a flying start on her eight-year-old ISH mare Ballyrue Olympic Lux with an impressive dressage score of 144.5, ahead of Kildare Branch member Phonsie Wardell on the smart Connemara gelding, Oxview Jasper (137.0).

Heading the leaderboard in the Members’ on 150.0 was Clonmel fifth year student Kate Walsh riding Clare Corballis’ 13-year-old Connemara gelding Beechtree Watchful. Ever-consistent on the eventing circuit and reigning EI100 junior champions, they had qualified from Area 3.

They stood ahead of another Killinick member, Jessica Murphy, on the six-year-old stallion Killinick Bouncer, who scored 140.5 in the first phase.

Saturday’s jumping took place in Ring 2 after the working hunter ponies, and over what turned out to be a very challenging track. For each penalty accrued, points were deducted, and the combination with the highest score after two phases was deemed the winner.

Having led from Friday, Caoimhe Murphy was unfortunate to pick up 22 penalties to drop to eventual fifth, with Molly Egan adding just four penalties on her mother Rebecca Coveney’s Connemara gelding Houndswood Moonbay to come up from third to take the Intermediate champion’s sash on a total of 130.

Despite picking up eight faults, Phonsie Wardell remained in second place on a final score of 129.0, ahead of Lucy Keane on the Kings Master mare, Ballycreen Kings Mistress (126.0).

Promise

Only 13 years old, South Union member Molly Egan is showing great promise in eventing and receives regular training from Eimear White.

“She was so nervous going into the ring, but was brilliant,” said White. A niece of former Tánaiste Simon Coveney, she is in action in the pony two-star at Blair this weekend with the 19-year-old Divine Fernando.

Only three clears were achieved over the two divisions, and one of those came from Kate Walsh on Beechtree Watchful to complete on 150.0 for the Members’ title.

Jessica Murphy dropped one fence, but had enough in hand to remain in second place on 136.5, with Rosie Coad third on the five-year-old mare, Cooley Clarissima (124.0).

Initially picked up as a hack in 2018 by his owner, Clare Corballis, Beechtree Watchful has blossomed under his young rider.

“Kate started riding him in lockdown when she grew out of her other pony that lived with us. He is over-height, and she has done an amazing job with him, even teaching him dressage,” she concluded.