OUR report has already complimented compere Peter Quirke on his Portmarnock debut. One aspect that does not arise every week was a little one-off awards ceremony to acknowledge the 20 or so under-15 children who have raced with ponies most weeks since July.
The pony season ended at the October 3rd meeting. Peter really empathised with the young people and parents. He was provided with background notes by Nadina Ironia and Mary Gilligan.
There might be an old saying, “never work with children or animals” but Nadina (Project Co-ordinator) and Mary (Head Instructor) both have the heart of a lion.
Since starting the IHRA Tiny Hooves movement, they have managed exuberant kids, and easily put-off kids of all shapes and sizes. The girls have marshalled nippy Welsh ponies, hairy-legged cobs and cut-down-to-size square trotters that would not look out of place beside Curly Du Layon.
There were plenty of false starts, the odd bit of galloping, one or two ponies with a mind of their own, fields that were strung out and also blanket finishes.
The incomparable Tommy Gosson (10) has mastered all the mannerisms of the leading US drivers and is the Tubs McNally of harness racing.
At risk of running the wrath of proud mummies and daddies, we will refrain from mentioning the majority of the children by name, in case any child gets omitted.
Cheer the kids
The races quite often take place before the card proper. It is nice to note that horsemen, busy with declarations, bookies setting up their pitches and stewards preparing the day’s work, all stop what they are doing and cheer the kids.
Even the most weather beaten, hard-nosed old trotting men now know their Blue Boy from Funtime Frankel and can distinguish Blippi from Pebbles.
One of the flashiest-actioned ponies is called Mrs Brown The Fastest Girl In Town, and a bit like the television character she is a real handful.
The pony series has also spawned a budding commentator, Andrew Gosson (12) who asked could he call some races and is improving with practice.
The older children drive unaccompanied while the younger children have a companion driver. Adults and kids must wear colours and back protectors. The races are from 200 yards to 880 yards. The one constant is the look of joy on the participants’ faces.
Nadina and Mary deserve great credit for this investment in the future of the sport. Covid-19 scuppered the plans for a sleep-over tuition camp. However, undeterred they made a series of instructional videos.
The lessons show how to yoke a horse safely. The footage shows good basic horse sense and would help viewers of any age or any horse sport. The video lessons can be seen on the IHRA website.
Nadina Ironia summarised: “The pony programme teaches children the rules of racing and it gives them confidence. We have children from three to 15 at which point they can get an apprentice licence. We are sure that there will be some future champions to come from this initiative.”
THE IHRA social media channels announced to followers in advance of the programme that main Portmarnock commentator James Griffin would appear as Yellow Sam’s jockey in the race scenes of the Barney Curley ‘bio-documentary‘ screened on Monday night.
The RTE programme Barney Curley – The Man Who Broke The Bookies was compelling viewing.
James’ fair features were easily picked out although he was playing useful 1970’s amateur Michael Furlong.