HAVING waited seven years to record her first win at the Stepping Stones to Success League, Gloria Nolan followed up that initial victory with another seven days later at Wexford Equestrian on Wednesday.

Bennekerry-based Nolan topped the standings in the Hoofprints Innovations pony producers’ class once again with her home-bred Connemara mare Ardnehue Golden Magic (196.1 marks), a five-year-old dun by Dungimmon Knight out of Lisdoon Lass (by Leág).

Thrilled with her second victory, Nolan revealed that tomorrow she be heading to Stradbally Hall where the Laois Branch of the Irish Draught Horse Breeders Association is running a class for part-bred Draughts, traditionally-bred Irish Sport Horses, thoroughbreds and Connemaras at their one-day event.

Following the conclusion of the league on Tuesday, Nolan will do a small bit of eventing with Ardnehue Golden Magic and some other ponies before aiming them at the RDS Connemara performance qualifiers. Other young Connemaras will be targeted at the Irish Pony Society’s Sports Pony Challenge.

Nolan and her in-form mare share the top spot on 20 points in their league with Orla Cassidy and Macs Silver Cookee who also have a brace of wins to their credit, having landed the opening two legs.

Second on Wednesday with 187.1 marks, Lilymai Walshe has amassed 18 league points with her ISH gelding Chapel Hill Chino, a five-year-old grey by Krafty Clover, while Rebekah Rochowiak is on 17 points with her Connemara mare Wilma Misty, a Shannonside Kilmore Jacob dun who placed third (184.9) in a well-filled field of 19.

Twenty two combinations have earned points in this year’s pony producers’ league but such was the dominance of the top four that only three others managed to attain double figures. However, with points and a half on offer in Tuesday’s final, there is still plenty to play for, especially as conformation will be taken into account in all classes bar that for thoroughbreds.