THE horse and pony section at the Bannow and Rathangan Show stands as a pinnacle of the Irish summer’s showing diary. Hosted at the permanent Killag showgrounds in Duncormick, Co Wexford, this sweeping equestrian department brings together the finest performance lines, grassroots breeding and elite young stock from across the nation, making it a critical mid-summer evaluation hub for the Irish sport horse industry.

The morning’s action opens under the meticulous scrutiny of top-tier judges across multiple dedicated in-hand rings, before the crown jewel of the event takes place; the All-Ireland Three-Year-Old Championship. This prestigious final draws regional qualifiers from all four corners of Ireland to compete for a substantial prize fund. It serves as a definitive barometer for the upcoming Dublin Horse Show, where horses are heavily judged on substance, conformation and athletic potential.

Packed broodmare and foal classes feature exceptional Irish Sport Horse (ISH) and Traditional Irish Horse (TIH) mares. These rings offer a vital look into the future of the Irish herd, focusing heavily on quality bone, structural soundness and correct locomotion.

There are highly-competitive classes for yearlings and two-year-olds, where future eventing and show jumping stars are identified early by their superb presence and forward step.

The ridden performance rings transition the focus from raw potential to active rideability, education and functional stamina.

Ridden Hunters are segmented into lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight divisions, and these classes demand a true horse for a day’s hunting - one that moves with a balanced, ground-covering stride and exhibits impeccable manners.

In the working hunter arena, emerging equine stars face a demanding course of rustic, natural fences. Judges look for clean, athletic jumping mechanics, closely paired with precise, flawless flatwork presentation. The Irish Draught performance classes remain a major highlight here, demonstrating the agility and classic versatility of the native breed.

The sound of ticking poles and roaring crowds defines the SJI-registered show jumping tracks, which are widely respected by top producers for their technical design and professional footing. With three arenas on the go, there are jumping competitions for everyone. The four, five and six-year-old development classes are fiercely contested, offering crucial mileage for rising performance horses.

Lucrative local sponsorship deals and prestigious leading rider awards keep the stakes incredibly high, ensuring the country’s top professional pilots travel to Wexford to compete.

The afternoon programme broadens into a brilliant display of community tradition and youth development.

In the Irish Pony Society classes, there is everything from immaculate show ponies to gritty working hunter pony divisions, and the country’s sharpest young riders display exceptional standards of horsemanship.

Then carriage driving brings historic elegance to the main ring, the single pony and horse driving competitions deliver a spectacular parade of traditional turnouts, celebrating historical transport and breed heritage.

For all enquiries, please contact Elizabeth Freeman on 087-7560871.