A WET start to Saturday morning didn’t dampen the spirits of Irish Pony Club Mounted Games riders who travelled to Gorey to contest their first competition of the year.

First up, junior riders battled it out in what was a very close competition. Taking the win was the Shillelagh team of Lily Kate Buttle (Misty), Claire Hill Doyle (Willow), Mark Byrne (Bob) and Joel Kane on Odinie. There were anxious moments for trainer Claire Byrne, as her team of five won by just one point.

It also came down to the wire in the proceeding under-10s class, with six teams participating. In the end, it was another win for Shillelagh, as the Mary Walsh team of Jimmy Byrne, Gwilym Davis, Edward Ryan, Alfie Honner and Rian Byrne won by a single point advantage.

The field was made up of two Wexford teams, Laois, Shillelagh, Kildare and Meath. The winning Shillelagh team comprised of five boys between the ages of seven and eight. The Shillelagh under-10 teams are no strangers to success, having won many championships along with an under-10 team which won in Scotland in 2011.

The tension mounted as senior riders took to the field of play. The finale saw current RDS/Leonard Cup Champions, the Meath Hunt Pony Club senior team, take back the coveted Gorey/O’Meara Cup for a second year in a row. The team was joined this year by Daniel Callery, who assumed the saddle vacated by Sophia Murray. The remainder of the team were made up of current RDS red rosette holders, Jack Mangan on Sprite, Sadhbh Monaghan on Storm, Harriet Mangan on Scooby, and Lauren Callery, who introduced her young pony Casanova to qualifiers. Daniels’ pony Cruise also made his debut at Pony Club.

At half time, the team led by three points. Very quick handovers, careful albeit skillful and speedy vaulting by all five riders saw the team secure a very worthy win. All three Meath teams were under the stewardship of chef d‘equipe Mark Crowe for the day. Mark has entered his 11th year training the Meath games stars. Commenting on the successful start to the season, Crowe said: “The comradery of the parents and the team players is what makes it all work for our Meath Teams. None of the fun and successful outcomes could be possible for the children without the support of their multiple trainers and the dedication of their parents who make commitments to training. We wish all our riders a very safe and enjoyable summer back at competitions.”