MULLINGAR Equestrian Centre played host to the National Pony Championships (NPC) last week. Running from Thursday until Sunday over five arenas, there were early starts and late evenings all round.

The popularity of the NPC continues to grow with almost 4,000 entries over the four days. With classes ranging from 40cm to 1.30m, featuring Premiers, young pony classes, derby classes, one round speeds, team events, 10 National Finals and even a Puissance, there really was something for every level of pony and rider and the record entries were reflected with record numbers on the see-saw, bouncy castles and other activities.

Friday’s feature class in the International Grass was the Walter Reape 50cm Newcomers Finals. Saoirse Murphy and Horizon Star took the winners rug and sash from almost 50 starters.

The Mullingar Horse Auction young pony finals were generously sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland. Cara Garrity won the 128cm six/seven-year-old with Goldie Locks II, with James Cleary and Little Paddy Brown in second and Lucy Kent with Milos third.

Edie Codd and the consistent Tempest Glenville took the win in the 138cm six/seven-year-old, with Caitlin Kelly and Lurganmore Little Rocket second and Harry Rush and Conazar Jane third. Ben Walsh with Roadside Cornation won the 148cm six/seven-year-old. Kate Lynch and Lahorna You Two were placed second and Daisy McNamara was third with MVS Carvelle.

Ella Cash and King Of Rock and Roll, winners of the 128cm U10 Grand Prix and National U10 championship \ Laurence Dunne Jumpinaction.net

Future potential

While the six/seven-year-old classes were jumped off against the clock, the four/five-year-old classes are judged on future potential. The 128cm four/five-year-old was won by Andrea Barry riding Kilorglin Boy, with Edward Walsh Jr and Barrera Lilac Time in second place and Tim Hawkins in third with O’B Poppet.

The 138cm four/five-year-old went to Lily Tunney with Tullinaglug Rosheen. In second place was Victoria Darcy with Foxview Baby Cruise, while James Ryan with Cuilin Penn was third. The winner of the 148cm equivalent was the four-year-old pony Alayah, piloted by Katie Nallon. Jack Galway and Imagine River finished second, fractionally ahead of Jack Cash and Nola HDH. All three of these 148cm ponies were sired by warmblood horses, demonstrating the importance of horse breeding in top jumping ponies.

The Under-8 riders had an early start on Saturday for the National Discovery Final where Lillie Cash and Lucky took first place. The O8/U10 equivalent was won by Ellie Baxter and Sparkling Class Act.

Lauren Adams and Riot Del Pegulil, winners of the 138cm 1.15m Grand Prix at the National Pony Championships \ Laurence Dunne Jumpinaction.net

Premier Series

The International Sand played arena played host to the fourth leg of the Hive and ESI-sponsored Premier Series. Local girl Alanna Fagan perhaps had the advantage of a night in her own bed and, putting this to good use, she took first and second in the Children on Horses premier with Ballycarrick Lass and Bella M respectively. Annie Boland meanwhile took third with Carrick.

The U10 85cm class saw 20 combinations through to a hotly contested jump-off where Rachel Sheehan and Divernagh’s Little Belle came out on top, with Willow Gavin and Grooves Like Jagger in second and Caoimhe Murphy and Sparkling Lackaghmore Katie third.

Georgie Gueorguiev’s technical tracks proved a challenge for the 128 and 138 competitors with many riders falling foul of the tight time allowed. Eight competitors made it into the jump-off for the 128 Premier where Robbie Sheehan and Hes A Touch Of Magic came out on top with Helen Walsh and Knockash Lady Bird in second, and Alayna Hawkins and Ballynacregga Red in third.

Just five competitors made it into the jump-off in the 138 class where Lauren Adams and Riot Del Pegulil got the better of Annie Boland and Mayfly Black Pennell, with Blaithin Geraghty and Ebony Jean producing one of only three double clears for third.

Sixteen 148cm riders battled it out in a thrilling jump-off in front of a packed pavilion where double gold medal winners James Derwin and Rincoola Babog took a convincing win ahead Cait Kenny and Dunard Trtixie Mix, with Robert Russell and TJ Butterfly in third.

The crowds remained to watch the spectacle of the puissance, where Munster’s Kian Dore and JJ’s Vino cleared an impressive 1.85m.

Due to the large numbers, the Boomerang.ie Starfinder was moved to Sand 1 where Ben Walsh and Roadside Cornation did the double, taking their second six/seven-year-old class in two days. Cara McFadden and Kilfenora Madie were in second with Chloe Hughes Kennedy and Madame Cello in third.

Robbie Sheehan and Hes A Touch Of Magic, winners of the Hive and Equine Safety Initiative Pony Premier \ Laurence Dunne Jumpinaction.net

Championships

Sunday saw a glut of Championship classes with local boy Ted Fagan and Kiltormer Ruby winning the opening 128cm 1.05m class, leaving the combination overall National Champions, with Charlie Flynn and Penchwintan Glynle in second and Robbie Sheehan with Ravara Mohawk in third. Ted Fagan was also overall Reserve Champion with Dooneens Electric.

Ella Cash and the evergreen King Of Rock and Roll won the 128cm U10 Championship with Lucy Kent and Milos in second and Lucia Keane with Bjerregards Katja in third. The overall U10s National Champion was Caoimhe Murphy with Sparkling Lackaghmore Katie, with Lucy Kent and Milos in Reserve.

Lauren Adams and the flying Riot Del Pegulil won the 138cm Championship, giving the combination a clean sweep of all the 138cm classes, taking four wins in four days, leaving them overall National Champions. Ruben Foley and Sparkling Boomastasia took second, leaving them overall Reserve, with Lauren Adams and D Drim’ De Brixia picking up third on the day.

The amazing Rincoola Babog won the 148cm Championship and overall National Champion Title with James Derwin, while Lily Tunney and Fireman were in second and Cait Kenny picked up a third, landing them the Reserve National Champion.

Alanna Fagan once again took the winners rosette with Bella M, which also helped them to cement their overall National Champion title, while Cian McMunn and Captain Marko were second, also going Reserve Champion. Isobel Sheehan and Ahare Olympic Flemmencio in third.

The NPC is not just about competition. It’s about children, ponies, friendships, families and fun. With the new slushy machine in full flow all week, there were hundreds of tired, blue and red mouthed children making their trips home to all corners of the Isle, already dreaming of what’s in store for NPC 2023.

Rachel Sheehan and Divernagh's Little Belle won the Hive and Equine Safety Initiative Pony Premier U10. Pictured with Rob McOwan of Hive Insurance \ Laurence Dunne Jumpinaction.net