KILDARE’s Hannah Groves signed off her pony eventing career by winning the 2023 Equipe Saddles Ireland EI100 (P) league having amassed 56 points on board her mother’s Ailish’s Thoroughly Miss Millie, a 15-year-old mare with no recorded pedigree.

Muskerry Pony Club member Amelia Scott finished second (51) with her mother Eleanor’s traditionally-bred Irish Sport Horse gelding Gelato, the 11-year-old Martan Phaidin Nhoir bay on whom she won the EI100 (P) championship at Kilguiley House in September.

Co Down’s Maya Constable slotted into third on 50 points with her mother Kim’s 12-year-old Harp King gelding Duncarbery Cascade, one of six Connemara ponies who finished in the top 10 of the league.

Partnership

Groves first began competing Thoroughly Miss Millie under EI rules in 2020 when they recorded two wins at EI90 (P) level.

The bay made one appearance in 2021 but was then sidelined from EI competition until mid-May this year.

The combination has since won three times from 10 starts at EI100 (P) level and finished their campaign with a seventh-place finish, on their dressage score, in the EI100 (P) national championship in September.

Groves has also competed Thoroughly Miss Millie and the Connemara gelding The Dun Deal in Pony Club activities.

Other winners at EI100 (P) level since early August were Suzie Cosgrave with the 15-year-old bay mare Kilcoltrim Swift (at Frankfort 4), where the aformentioned Groves and Thoroughly Miss Millie finished second); Rory Connaughton with the 12-year-old Connemara gelding Independent Johnny (at Kilguilkey House (3) where Scott and Gelato filled the runner-up spot); Charlotte Betts with the 13-year-old Burley Gold Blend gelding Akaroa Bittersweet (at Vesey Lodge); and Laragh Byrne with the 15-year-old bay gelding Taylors Dicey Riley (at Clyda 2).