THERE are two great, all-inclusive, pony shows that effectively book end the school holidays for show jumping children and their families.

The National Pony Championships signals the end of the summer, but it is the Home Pony International held annually in Cavan Equestrian Centre that sees children breaking up from school and offers a real holiday atmosphere, as families set out tables, gazebos, barbecues and even pizza ovens to share with friends and fellow competitors. With a busy schedule of National leagues, these two four-day marathon shows hold a special place in not only the schedules, but the hearts of most show jumping families.

The fact that the show clashed with HOYS qualifiers at Kelsall Hill in the UK meant that there were fewer overseas travellers, but that didn’t decrease numbers or reduce the stress of getting one of the precious 460 stables that sold out in just 10 minutes, highlighting the enduring popularity of this show. Thankfully, the weather played ball and, with only the occasional skiff of rain, spirits remained high and the beautiful outdoor sand arena with the well-maintained surface and flowing courses from Gueorgui Gueorguiev and Stuart Clarke led to top-class competition.

Results from Thursday and Friday’s competitions were used to dictate team selection for the various team events and the first of these began on Friday evening, with the 148 Debut Teams. Seven teams went forward in the buzz of the indoor, with two teams from England, plus the four provinces and an Irish team. All teams were paraded with matching team gilets, numnahs and flags, lending a sense of pomp and circumstance to the occasion and revving up riders and ponies alike.

Team Ireland proved victorious, with Ronan Gilvarry on Dexter Leam Prancer, Luke Sweeney on Tullymurry Sunshine, Connie McFadden on Infinity and Lucy McCarthy on Gorm completing on a zero score and beating Team Leinster with Phillipa Halliwell on Carrigeen Moores, Susan Brannigan on Imagine D’Argent, Jack Hannigan on Knockbridge Morning Shadow and Ellen O’Neill on Gateau Mr Blue in a jump-off that had the crowd on the edge of their seats.

128 U10

Saturday’s first team event was the 128 U10 event, where the youngest riders experience their first taste of team competition; many an Irish international rider will still remember their first team competition in Cavan. Here, the competition went down to the wire, with another thrilling jump-off, this time between Team Leinster and a mixed Irish Isle Team that included overseas visitors.

This time, it was the Leinster Team of Gracie Kelly on Belgrove Beauty, Scott Doran on Hopgarden, Saoirse Murphy on The Nutcracker and Harvey Oscar Foley on Fokkerhutte Belle who finished victorious, over the Irish Isle Team of Anya Dewy Clarke on Toplines Royal Wonder, Rory McBride on Castlequarter Katie Bee, Harry Kelly on Paris and Mairead Kate Barry on Ryehall Marble Arch.

The 128 1m class saw a clear victory, this time for the visitors as the mixed England Lions Team finished on a zero score to take the win. Anya Dewy Clarke on Jim, Olivia Newington on One in A Million, Anya Dewy Clarke on Kilcreene Snapdragon and Charlotte Foley on I’m a Starboy finished ahead of the Ulster Team, with Elsie Tunney on Bronheulog Limited Edition, Alice Steele on Sparkling Miss Legends, Khloe McLaughlin on Linde Hoeves Ricardo and Chloe Clarke on Uquam D’Emery.

Cavan HPI 138cm team winners, Team Ireland: Cliodhna McEvoy, Harvey Foley, Lucia Keane and Cathal McKeon Devaney \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

Team Ireland were once again victorious in a tightly fought jump-off in the 138 1.10m team event. Cliodhna McEvoy on Etoile Des Chesnaies, Harvey Oscar Foley on Mayfly Green Peter, Lucia Keane on Alto De Fougnard and Cathal McKeon Devaney on Ruby Brown saw off a strong challenge from the Munster Team of Andrea Barry on Penny Arcade, Katlyn Horgan on Mystic Du Charooli, Isabelle Mangan on RTS Killult Dawn and Millie Jeffers on Blackwood Killimaster.

148 1.20m

The final event in a long day was the 148 1.20m, where six teams went forward, including Team Ireland, a mixed Emerald Isle Team and the four provinces. Once again, the winners were decided by a jump-off and, this time, it was the Irish Team of Ruben Foley on Coppenagh Gatsby, Mia de Bromhead on Shamrock Du Gite, Annie Boland on K-Little Hero and James Derwin on Milchem Original, who proved too good for the Leinster Team of Lauren Adams on ASJ Samurai, Emily O’Brien on Sweet Renees Girl, Hugo Seagrave on Barravalley Glory and Alanna Fagan on Ballyfore Rosie.

There were plenty of over-tired children and bleary-eyed parents trudging up the hill to the main arena warm up for the final day of competition on Sunday. The first competition, the Ballinroe Horse Transport-sponsored 128 1.05m Grand Prix kicked off at a leisurely 9am.

Fourteen of the 38 starters progressed to the second round of an exciting jump-off that saw the top three covered by under one second. UK visitor, Anya Dewy Clarke showed that it’s best to buy Irish, as she guided Kilcreene Snapdragon, a pony that was bred and produced in Ireland, to victory. Second place went to Sonny McGovern and another pony that is well-known on the Irish circuit for many generations of Irish show jumpers, Parc Giggles, while Elsie Tunney and the consistent Bronheulog Limited Edition finished in third.

Anya Dewey Clarke (O) on Kilcreene Snapdragon, winners of the 128 1.05m Grand Prix at Cavan July Home Pony International \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

The 138 1.15m Grand Prix, sponsored by My Show Advisor, saw eight combinations progressing to the jump-off, with a win for Cliodhna McEvoy and the exciting Etoile Des Chesnais, pipping Ronan Gilvarry and another seasoned campaigner, Quantum Midnight Gypsy, into second place by less than half a second. Alanya Hawkins meanwhile, picked up third place with Ballyduff Lad.

The 148 1.25m Grand Prix, sponsored by Aloga Auction, was the final competition in the outdoor arena and 12 of the 39 competitors made it into the jump-off, where Annie Boland claimed the winner’s rug and trophy with the consistent K-Little Hero. Senan Reape and Fernando produced the only other double clear of the class, ideal preparation for their European Championship bid in a few weeks’ time, with Lauren Adams and Slieve Bloom Bella Rose picking up third place with the fastest four faults.

Annie Boland (L) on K-Little Hero, winners of the 148 1.25m Grand Prix at Cavan HPI \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

The indoor arena played host to the 128 U10 Grand Prix, sponsored by Equine Products Ireland and, with 23 combinations making it through to the jump-off, it was fast and furious. Jack Derwin took first and second places with Blue Ivy and Ginger Rogers respectively, with Khloe McLaughlin and Goldie Locks II in third.

With everyone packing up to face the road home and the Monday morning ‘show hangover’, most will be dreaming of next year’s HPI, but some will be moving onto horses, knowing that this was their last HPI and, while there will be many wonderful shows, there are none quite like the Cavan Home Pony International.