LAST weekend’s Connolly’s Red Mills/Irish Pony Club eventing championships at Tattersalls Ireland were possibly the best yet with the new format ensuring that, despite the massive entry of 487 – with few withdrawals – everyone had headed home by 5.15pm on Sunday.

“I was absolutely thrilled with everything, it was a fantastic weekend,” said the IPC’s Chairperson of Eventing, Ivan Hatton who, with the office personnel of Anita O’Donoghue, Fiona Bevill and Roisin O’Carroll, was on site from Wednesday. “One of the first things we had to do was sort out the stabling and that was for 420 horses or ponies – the stables opened at 10.30am on Friday and that’s when they started arriving!

“This year, because of the numbers, we moved the dressage and show jumping to the big field in front of the main house (now used for the show jumping section of the Tattersalls Ireland July Show).

“We put in three show jumping rings (one for the Under 12s) and erected 14 dressage arenas for 16 classes. Raymond Jess was our show jumping course builder and he was on site all the time over the two days. The Intro Intermediates, Juniors and Under 12s show jumped on Saturday but the Opens and Intermediates did their cross-country on Saturday and then show jumped on Sunday.

“Eugene O’Neill did marvellous work with the cross-country courses. The Under 12s had their own dedicated track and, as they left the barns, they turned one way onto their track while the older members turned in the opposite direction on to theirs so there was no overlapping anywhere. On the Saturday, it was great to see the Juniors out on the course, scrutinising how the Open and Intermediate riders tackled the track.

“The atmosphere was electric when the prize-giving began at 2.30pm on Sunday and everything was done and dusted by 5.15pm. None of this would have been possible without my fellow committee members who worked tirelessly before and during the event. Among others who ensured everything ran smoothly were Elaine Lait, Chairperson of the Board of the Irish Pony Club who was Chief Steward along with Rosemary Crosse, and our Technical Delegate, Gervaise Maher.

Top class facilities

“Of course, we have to thank Tattersalls Ireland for allowing us to use their wonderful facilities – where else could you stage such an event? – and particularly their CEO Simon Kerins who was out and about talking to a lot of people on Saturday. I would also like to thank Eugene O’Neill, who does far more than build the cross-country courses, the yard manager, Ger O’Neill, our generous sponsors Connolly’s Red Mills and, of course, the members and their families who helped make the weekend such a success.”

Jane Davis, Head of Marketing, Connolly’s Red Mills, said: “We are immensely proud to sponsor the Irish Pony Club Eventing Championships. This event, and all the qualifiers, showcase the exceptional talent, dedication, and sportsmanship of the riders. The standard of competition witnessed over the weekend at Tattersalls was nothing short of outstanding, reflecting the bright future of eventing in Ireland.

“Every participant should be incredibly proud of their achievement – they represent the very best of what the Irish Pony Club stands for. It’s an honour to support such a great event and we look forward to celebrating the continued success of these remarkable young riders. A huge thank you to all involved in the organisation of the championships, to Tattersalls Ireland for hosting the event and providing such fantastic facilities and to Eugene O’Neill for building the cross-country courses.”

Through their subsidiary company Carr & Day & Martin, Red Mills also sponsored the dressage prizes (the results of which appear in pages 107-109) and, through Foran Equine, they sponsored the league, the results of which will be carried next week.

High praise

Among those who praised the the championships was Carlow’s Pam Walshe, breeder of 5* show jumpers and a coach. “I help out lots of the members in the Carlow and Shillelagh Pony Clubs including my niece, Sarah Ryan, who was second in the Under 12s at the weekend and winner of the Under 12s league. I would like to compliment Ivan Hatton and all the organisers who ran an efficient event with great cross-country courses that proved challenging but safe.”

While many are used to the voice of Sunday’s cross-country commentator Raymond Bready, a newcomer broke onto the scene on Saturday, step forward Peter Roe, DC of the Laois Branch and General Manager of Fairyhouse. As ever, there were plenty of parents and grandparents at the championships from the world of racing and thoroughbred breeding.