THE Irish Pony Club launched its international tetrathlon exchange, tetrathlon and minimus championships last Saturday at the Kill, Co Kildare base of Holmestead Saddlery, sponsor of both national championships for the next three years.

The minimus championships – a three-phase event comprising riding, swimming and cross-country running for members under 12 years of age – take place at Punchestown racecourse on Saturday and Sunday, May 28th and 29th, four weeks after the National Hunt Festival.