TWO participants came in for special mention at The Curragh racecourse last Sunday, when the Irish Pony Club held its re-scheduled exhibition ride.

Nine members of the IPC, all girls, lined up for the dash, having proved themselves as competent riders during a day at the Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE) back in mid-August.

Jockey Shane Foley, who partnered the Jessica Harrington-trained favourite Jetara to win the last official race of the season, the Rockshore Maiden, just a short time earlier, had the task of selecting the most stylish rider on the day and he came down in favour of the Kildares’ Erin Dowling.

The 14-year-old, who was supported by her mother/groom/driver Esther, father Noel, brother M.J. (who is more interested in boxing and hurling) and extended family members, rode the older of her two ponies, Pinkie, with whom she also competes in Pony Club dressage. She also has a four-year-old mare, Superior Duchess, to compete with Dressage Ireland.

“Erin had an amazing time at The Curragh,” said Esther on Monday evening before her daughter rode two tests for the IPC’s Hallowe’en virtual dressage competition. “She’s horse mad, loves racing and hopes to get into a yard to ride out next summer. She was thrilled when Shane and Colin (Keane) presented her with her prize.”

Mulcahy win

One of two members of the United Branch to take part in the ride, along with Khushi L’Hostis, Emily Mulcahy travelled to The Curragh unaware of the fact that she had been selected as winner of the training day at RACE.

The 16-year-old has experience of riding racehorses as, at weekends and during the holidays, she rides out alongside her mother Paula (who jumped as an amateur at the Dublin Horse Show of 2009 and 2010) at the Midleton yard of her grandfather, Donal Coffey.

On Saturday, Emily rode Bramblebough Angus, an eight-year-old grey gelding purchased as a three-year-old, who she competes successfully in show jumping (both with the IPC and the SJI) and IPC eventing. She also plays camogie to a high standard. “Emily just loved her day in RACE,” said the rider’s father Noel, a dairy farmer who also breeds National Hunt horses.

Emily’s sister Julie (12) does a lot of show jumping, but her brother Eoghan (13) can take horses and ponies or leave them. Noel was unable to travel to The Curragh to support his daughter, as the youngest of the family, Harry (8), insisted on being taken to his soccer match.