A BRIGHT chilly morning greeted Irish Pony Society members at their last show of the season last weekend at Barnadown Equestrian. The Hunter Pony Show saw lots of competitors take part in the working hunter classes across the beautifully built derby track and many thanks to Maurice Cousins for allowing the use of his lovely facilities.
The largest competitor numbers were in the mini classes with Cian Cusack winning the lead rein class on his pony Muskerry Goldfinger and it was great to see him go on to be mini champion as he will progress off the lead next year. His older brother Conor won the 123 cms show hunter class also on Muskerry Goldfinger.
The working hunter cradle stakes class was won in style by Emily Marnane on her lovely little pony Muskerry Peter Pan beating Ned Kelly on his pony Buster of Lisnagar into second. Ned however took both first and second in the 50cms performance class again on Buster, then took a spin on his brother’s pony Tinnecarrig Milo and came seond in the same class. The 60cms was won by Sunnibhe Stassin with her pony Dunleavy Lass.
Freddie Kelly then went on to win the open starter stakes on his pony Kellora Sandstorm. Hannah Mackey won the Show Starter Stakes and went on to take Starter Stakes Champion on her pony Bunberry Swarez and later in the day she was delighted to also win the Show Hunter Championship.
GREAT FUN
All the riders had great fun across the derby track and proved easy for the open 133cms winner Taylor Peare on her pony Baby Buttons. The open 143cms working hunter was won by James Ryan riding his pony Donode Mabel Molly. James went on to win the overall working hunter champion with Rosie Mae O’Grady taking reserve on Rossog Rusty.
James’s brother Ivan won the 143 novice working hunter on his pony Indian Joe and he also went on to win the overall novice working hunter championship so both brothers went home with lovely championship rosettes.
Rianna Marnane won both the 90cms and the one metre performance classes on her pony Dartons Atom Man. Pippa Durham on her home-bred Connemara Jim Delaney won both the open 153cms and the intermediate working hunter classes and then went on to take intermediate champion.
There were lots of Connemara ponies in attendance with Conor Cusack taking Connemara champion on his pony Ballinteen Lass. All the riders are looking forward to celebrating each area’s awards night with the National Awards taking place on Friday, November 30th in the Killashee House Hotel, Co Kildare.