IT really was a day for the ladies as the start of the Irish Pony Society 2018 showing season got under way at the Tipperary Area IPS Working Hunter Show.

Lady riders filled the top spot in all nine classes at the show which was also a Northern Ireland Festival qualifier. The classes were efficiently judged by Mary Carter and Faith Ponsonby. Ponies and riders were given a fair but challenging track designed by Tomas Ryan to kick off the 2018 season.

The only non-qualifier class was the lead rein working hunter which was won by the consistent pairing of Uppacot Xotica and Ellie Rogan. Local rider and IPS member Katie Wyse and the talented Mr Beau Beaut impressed the judges to finish in the top spot in the hotly contested 143cms Open Working Hunter. Another local girl to come away with red and secure her Northern Ireland Festival qualification was Emily Marnane riding Muskerry Peter Pan in the M&M (not ex 128cms) class.

Run by the ever efficient Tipperary Area of the IPS and held in Tipperary equestrian centre, all members both new and old had a fun filled day and the lucky younger competitors all came away with an Easter egg.