THE beginning of the year brought shock and deep sadness with the passing of former IPS Chairman Peter Molloy. Peter’s roles within the IPS were many. He was IPS Chairman from 2019-2022, on council for 12 years, Chairman of the Working Hunter Committee for 10 years and was involved in the Wicklow Area for over 40 years. He was extremely proud of all the success stories involving Irish-bred ponies, riders and producers, who came up through the ranks, some of whom went right up to Olympic level.

Peter judged at HOYS twice and at many other shows in Britain, including the Royal Highland. The Wicklow Area Summer Show, which was run as a fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society in memory of Peter, raised an incredible €5,500 for the charity - a testament to the high regard in which Peter was held. His wife Eileen attended the Wicklow Area Show to present ‘The Peter Molloy Perpetual Trophy’ – to its inaugural winner of the Mini Supreme Championship. An emotional day for all involved, especially the Wicklow Area Committee, who worked so closely with Peter.

Isla Coad and Frosthill Jackaross at the Sport's Pony Challenge Final - Killossery Lodge \ Radka Preislerova

Spring Show

April 15th and spirits were high as competitors gathered at Castle Irvine, Necarne, for the prestigious IPS Spring Show. With the addition of over 35 Royal International Horse Show qualifiers, with a total of 82 classes on schedule and with exhibitors travelling from all over the country, classes were very competitive.

The IPS were also delighted to include horse qualifiers for ridden hunters, working hunter horses, amateurs and cobs to the schedule. Horse classes is an area, which the IPS hope to grow over the next few years, with the inclusion of horse qualifiers for the biggest shows.

The day rounded off with the two Supreme Championships. The Barberstown Castle IPS Members’ Supreme, which welcomed the highest placed IPS members from all classes throughout the day. After much deliberation, Darcy De Chanteloube was awarded top honours with Dartons Atom Man claiming reserve champion. Following this was the Legacy Wealth Management Supreme of show. A wonderfully diverse display of ponies, horses and cobs were on show for the dedicated spectators. The judges took some time in deciding who would take the overall crown and, in a reversal of the earlier result, Dartons Atom Man reigned supreme, with Darcey De Chanteloube taking reserve on this occasion.

Royal International

Over 16 Irish combinations made the trip in July to Hickstead for the Royal International Horse Show, most of whom had gained their qualification at the IPS Spring show. With classes having 20 plus entries, success was hard to come by, but Charlotte Goor and Underhill Bobcat came top in a class of 24 to win the BSPS Pretty Polly Mixed Height Show Hunter Pony. Ned Kelly and the ever-consistent Tinnecarrig Milo followed up last year’s third with another incredible fifth place in the super competitive 133cm Working Hunter. For many competitors, it was their first time at Hickstead and many are hoping to return again in 2024.

Murvey Katie and Rosie Coad out eventing

Sports Pony Challenge

The Sports Pony Challenge, founded in 2017, is run as a gold cup competition, including dressage, performance working hunter and show jumping, run with three qualifiers and a final. This year’s Sports Pony Challenge was also used as part of the team selection process for the International Working Hunter Championships that were to represent Ireland in Scotland in early August.

Winners at the final included sisters Rosie and Isla Coad, who won the 133cm and 153cm sections. Evie Kennedy claimed victory in the 143cm class, with Alisha Vard taking win in the 158cm class. The Connemara sections were won by Isabelle Mahon (U16) on Murvey Katie and Katie Wyse (O16) on board Illaunurra Bay, who was also the recipient of the highly coveted Rough Diamond Trophy, which is awarded to the highest scoring Irish-bred Pony at the final. A special mention for the Gloria Nolan home-bred seven-year-old old Ardehue Maxamillion, who went on to win the Connemara Performance Hunter (five to seven-year-olds) at the Dublin Horse Show. They had competed in the Sports Pony Challenge and secured a spot in the 2023 final.

International WH Championships

The International Working Hunter Championships held every four years, includes teams from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This year, the Championships were held in Scotland. There was huge competition for places on the two teams that were to travel in early August just before the Dublin Horse Show. The teams were announced in July and comprised of The Green Team: Isla and Rosie Coad, Ned Kelly and Alisha Vard, and The Gold Team: Lara Field, Hannah Mackey, Aisling Malone and Evie Kennedy. With the very generous support of TRI, the teams were kitted out with team jackets, polo shirts and caps.

With the teams announced, team training was run under the watchful eye of chef d’equipe Johnny Kyle. The working hunter committee, led by Elizabeth Wentges, assisted team members where possible with travel plans. Jane Hancock, a vital part of the team, also travelled to Scotland and was a great support to the teams and her camper van provided the HQ for all the Irish camp’s social activities. After all the hard work, a third and fourth place for the Green and Gold teams was a fantastic result. The IPS Working Hunter Committee are looking forward to 2027, when it will be Ireland’s turn to host.

Ned Kelly and Rowdown Archer were crowned the Braham’s of Buckingham Derby Champions at the IPS Working Hunter Committee Hunter Pony Show \ Blackhorse Photography NI

RDS

The highlight of every Irish equestrian’s season is competing at the Dublin Horse Show, with many of them starting in the lead rein classes. IPS members Jessica Murphy and Darcey had an exceptional 2023 RDS, claiming the Working Hunter and Show Hunter Championships, a remarkable achievement. With too many other amazing results to mention, it really was a fantastic year for IPS members. In total, the number of RDS classes won by IPS members was 17, with 65 earning top-six placings.

IPS Summer Championships

The Irish Pony Society Championships were held at Mullingar Equestrian for the first time since 2017. Competitors made full use of The Pavillion for Friday night’s welcome reception, which saw both young and old showcase their hidden talents in ‘Mullingar’s Got Talent’, which provided plenty of entertainment throughout the evening.

Both days had classes for horses and non-member pony riders, the pony section proved popular, with many young riders having their first taste of showing and their smiles beaming all day long, with beautiful rosettes and sweets awarded to all, were a delight to see.

Generously supported by TRI Equestrian, the Elite (Show Pony) Championship was awarded to Brendan Lawlor’s Roseberry Make Believe, who spent most of the season campaigning on the British showing circuit with rider Kate Lawlor. This combination also went on to take the Overall Show Pony title, along with the Part-Bred Championship.

The TRI Prestige (Show Hunter Pony) Championship went to the lead rein winner in this section, Woodroyd Go Go Girl, ridden by Cian Green and led by mum/owner Jamie Green.

The Carr & Day & Martin Jim Lilley Working Hunter Championship was taken by the super-consistent Danny’s Pride, who was expertly piloted by Emily Marnane, who jumped superbly around the brilliant working hunter track designed by Michael Keavaney.

The Saturday evening schedule included the pony pairs, which was a wonderful sight in the main arena. The winners were a delighted Charlotte Goor and Jessica McAuliffe. The re-introduction of the Inter-Area Team championship, which was named in honour of late IPS Chairman Peter Molloy, proved extremely popular with Area Teams parading with banners in their very smart evening attire. In a tightly contested competition, it was Limerick Clare Area of the IPS Area who were crowned Inter Area – Team Champions. The Cup was very kindly donated by the Nadir Family.

The Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifiers for ridden Connemaras and The Price Family In-Hand, which were kindly supported by TopSpec, were held on day two. It proved to be a very successful day for husband and wife team, Grace Maxwell Murphy and William McMahon. Grace rode the Patrick Curran-owned and bred stallion Glencarrig Douvan to victory. The Price In Hand final after much deliberation was awarded to Irish Draught Stallion Edenagor Star, bred by Jim McNulty, owned by Grace Maxwell Murphy and shown by William McMahon, brought cheers from spectators when they were pulled forward as champions.

The popular George Mullins Transport Irish-bred Championship had high quality entries, and the John McCormick bred Brooklllan Lady Isabella was crowned Irish-bred Supreme Champion.

The grand finale of a very busy two days of showing culminated in the Amira Transport Supreme Championship. Judges Jackie Beatham, Alex Spencer and Aimee Devane had to make the difficult decision to select the Supreme and Reserve Pony of the show. Much to the spectators’ delight, it was Ruth Logan’s Spring Water Sadler’s Wells, ridden by Elliot Logan and led by Anthea Steele, that was crowned champion.

Horse of The Year Show

With IPS members dominating the HOYS qualifiers at the Northern Ireland Festival and members travelling across to the UK to gain their coveted ‘Golden Ticket’, an incredible total of 13 IPS members qualified and made the trip across to Birmingham. With all classes containing huge numbers, it was very satisfying to get some wonderful results, which included Aoibhinn Ruanne on Dartons Atomman placing third in the 153cm working hunter class, Lara Field riding home-bred Creganna Kerfuffle finished fourth in the 143cm working hunter and Chloe Salley finishing eighth on Stanley Grange Crescendo. The Price Family Supreme In-hand again featured Manor Duke with handler Joe Burke, who finished a very credible fourth. It definitely whetted the appetite for all to try and gain qualification for the biggest show in the UK again next year.

Life beyond the IPS

With rich a history of top class riders coming through the IPS including Olympians Mark Kyle and Judy Reynolds to name just a few, there are also many new future stars already making their mark outside the IPS.

Siblings Josh and Carla Williamson have both picked up European team medals on the Irish pony eventing team and more recently Josh won his first race under rules at Clonmel racecourse. James and Ivan Ryan are also proving successful on the racetrack on the flat and in the point-to-point field.

Plans for 2024

The plans for the 2024 season are in full swing, with dates already confirmed for the IPS Spring Show, April 4th and the Summer Championships, 31st July and August 1st. Sports Pony Challenge, Hunter Pony Show and IPS Area Shows dates can be found on events calendar.

The IPS will also reach its 60th anniversary and will be celebrating this remarkable achievement.

Overall Working Hunter Champion Hannah Mackey on Ella’s Melody \ JRS Photography \ Aug 2023

International Working Hunter Championships - Rider perspective

Rider: Hannah Mackey (15)

Pony: Ella’s Melody

I WAS one of the lucky eight riders, who was selected to travel to Scotland on the Irish team to compete in the International Working Hunter Championships.

The competition is run in the same format as the Sports Pony Challenge, so it was great as the selectors could see all phases of the competition multiple times. The phases are Dressage, Performance Working Hunter and Show Jumping. I was extremely honoured when I was notified that I had made the team. I had put in a huge amount of work with my pony Ella’s Melody in preparation.

The whole journey over was such a memorable experience. The support team on the lorry included my grandfather, Joe, who was also our driver and my mam, Emily. The chefs d’equipe gathered the teams and presented us with our team kits, which were amazing and were very generously sponsored by TRI. We were definitely the smartest dressed team there. It seemed like forever since we started the selection process, but finally the day was here, where we got to wear the green jackets and represent Ireland.

The first day of competition was dressage and the nerves were in overdrive but everyone put in a fantastic performance in their sections, which put both teams in positive positions for the second and final day of competition. That evening, there was a reception where the dressage prizes were given out and we got to socialise and present gifts to the other teams, which is a tradition that was started when the competition was founded.

Second day

The second day was the performance working hunter and show jumping. The Irish ponies and riders really excelled over a challenging working hunter track, which again solidified a strong dressage performance. Once the final phase show jumping was complete, there was an agonising wait for the results. Both teams were delighted to finish third and fourth and there were also some incredible individual results.

We also had the excitement of the team parade, where the teams got to parade with flags around the indoor school. We were delighted to have Tristan Kelly and Andy Kennedy carrying the flags in the parade and I have no doubt that we will see these two competing for Ireland in 2027, when Ireland will be hosting the competition. I would like to thank, on behalf of all team members, the IPS Hunter Committee, Johnny Kyle, Elizabeth Wentges, Jane Hancock, TRI and most importantly our families, who supported us all on this amazing journey and I hope I can do it again and it was something I will never forget.

Lily Murphy, right

First year as an IPS member

My name is Lily Murphy. I am 12 years old, my sister Ellie is 10. Apart from riding ponies, we love to play hockey.

When did you join the IPS?

We both just became members this year, back in April 2023.

Introduce your ponies to us from this season:

Bronheulog Harvey - 133cm liver chestnut gelding. Competes in Starter Stakes WH, M&M & 133cm Working Hunter classes.

Waitwith Dynasty - 122cm chestnut gelding. Competes in the Cradle Stakes WH and M&M classes.

What were your highlights of this year?

Highlights definitely were winning our first IPS show at Necarne Castle and going reserve champion, being champion at Balmoral, winning in BSPS and representing the IPS in the team competition and being Reserve Supreme at NIF, all which were amazing experiences, and we can’t wait for next season.

Tell us about representing the IPS at BSPS Championship Show in August:

We went over to BSPS, which was held at Arena UK to represent IPS, and it was a surreal and exciting experience. Every day we competed in at least two classes.

The definite highlight was parading around the arena on the last evening with the Irish team with all our rosettes we had won that week. Team Ireland placed third in The M & M Working Hunter Team competition.

Would you advise people to join the IPS and why?

Yes, we would definitely advise joining the IPS, as there are so many different classes you can compete in at the shows, and we both loved making lots of new friends from all over Ireland.