THE weather may have been mixed but the Semple McKillop East Down Pony Club two-phase at Tyrella on Monday was a great day out for all the family.

Classes one to three were staged on the cross-country course at Tyrella over a good track built by the hard-working Adam Stephenson and Henry Evans and flagged by members of the East Down committee. Classes four to six were in the Fledgling Ring built by Andrew Napier and family from Hazeldene Equestrian.

A veritable army of volunteers from the East Down Branch (plus a lot of friends and family) were stewarded by Philip (Pip) McLean, Jim Newsam, and Corey Mawhinney. This annual Easter Monday fixture is open to all competitors, whether members of the Pony Club or not, and it was great to see so many ex-members competing as well as current ones.

The majestic backdrop of the mountains made for fantastic photos and competitors were able to cool off their horses and ponies in the sea afterwards. We did see one Dad cooling off himself as well as the child and pony! Judy Maxwell from Bailey’s Horse Feeds made her annual appearance and presented the prizes to the worthy winners.

“We were also indebted to the volunteers from the Eventing Ireland Northern Region who have been most supportive of the Pony Club,” said Fran Rowlatt-McCormick, District Commissioner of the East Down Branch. “The Pony Club forms the bedrock and future of Eventing Ireland membership as it is here that youth competitors catch the eventing bug! Pony Club teaches horsemanship, sportsmanship, team spirit, and fun... all of which are valuable throughout life.

“We wish to thank all the sponsors and volunteers and our landowners, the Corbetts, for a fantastic (if at times rather chilly) day.”