THE All Welsh Medal Show attracted a wonderful variety of Welsh Ponies to Mullingar Equestrian Centre. Overnight rain had left the ground waterlogged but this did not deter the enthusiasts who were determined to enjoy their action-packed day.

The Section A classes started the day under the visiting Judge, Mrs Tweetie Nimmo from Duntarvie Stud in Scotland. Entries in the yearling class were small with Laurie Kearon’s buckskin filly Ballinacarrig Sansa taking the red ribbon.

The two and three-year-olds were better supported with Laurie Kearon’s Ballinacarrig Arya getting the nod with Dennis Halpenny’s sweet-moving Idyllic Intricate in second.

The four-year-old and over class was refreshingly well supported and first place went to Armcott Stables’ lovely grey mare Loneash Melanie.

There were three quality entries in the stallion class and competition was fierce with Conor McCormick’s Thistledown Beat the Drum excelling for the red ribbon. Amicott Stables’ Floreat Cosmos was second and Sarah Beers’ lovely chesnut Tyfry Robert, on his first ever day out showing, came third.

The Trefurther Stud Section A championship went to Thistledown Beat the Drum, who achieved the Section A overseas bronze medal with Ballinacarrig Arya in reserve. The youngstock championship went to Ballinacarrig Arya with Idyllic Intricate in reserve.

The Section C classes came next with fair entries for this versatile type. With a dedicated section C medal at stake, this was very encouraging.

The four-year-old mare and gelding class had three entries with the red ribbon going to Kathrin Griffin’s Thistledown Cockney Rebel, who went on to win The Kelcor Stud Championship and the Section C overseas bronze medal.

In the Section D, the Welsh Cob four-year-old and over class, the championship and medal was won by Susan Drum’s Aberpennar Siriol who gave a wonderful spirited display under the guidance of her handler Gareth Bailey.

In second place was Sarah Killeen’s Bryneglur Bertie and in third was Susan Drum’s palomino mare Taiforgan Golden lady. All ponies added to a magnificent spectacle.

The Section D stallion winner Glentraeth Jack Daniels, owned by Katrina Griffin, went on to gain reserve champion honours.

The section B two and three-year-old class was won by Zelda Gabby’s Menai Man of Troy, with Michael Galvin’s very successful filly Treflan Betsan in second place.

In the Section B four-year-old and over class, first place went to Frank William’s versatile Muskerry Lucia, who was seen later excelling in the driving classes.

The Stallion B class was well supported and produced the worthy winner in Hannah Dumigan’s Monalaw Meilir. Second place went to Laura Ann Downey’s Farchynys Moonraker and third place went to Michaela Steyn Keating’s versatile roan stallion Wian William.

The Goldengrove Championship and overseas bronze medal went to Monalaw Meilir with reserve to Muskerry Lucia. The Rhecas youngstock championship went to Monalaw Meilir and reserve went to Menai Man of Troy.

The part-breds classes were well supported with the yearling class won by Marian Judge’s Waterglades Over the Moon. The two and three-year-olds class was won by Aidan Willamson’s outstanding Goldengrove Temptress who had a most successful day.

The four-year-old and over class went to Thalia Smithwick’s Kilcreene Black Pearl with second place awarded to Marian Judge’s lovely coloured mare Waterglades Gemini.

The part-bred stallion class was won by Connor McCormick’s Brookvale Mr Tom with Shane Fennell’s Nordy Razamatazz gaining second place.

The Clonross Stud Championship and overall WPCS overseas bronze medal went to Goldengrove Temptress with Brookvale Mr Tom in reserve.

The Lambay Youngstock Championship was won by Goldengrove Temptress with the Offtechs Coloured Champion, also a part-bred, Waterglades Over the Moon, in reserve.

Mrs Emma Edwards, from the Frongoch Stud judged the Welsh Performance classes finding her mini champions in Kenilwood Monarch, ably ridden by Anna-Rose Scott in the purebred section and Caradines Little Lord, partnered by an endlessly smiling Ronan Gilvarry in the part-bred.

The judge struck up a great rapport with the young riders which was much appreciated.

While the numbers of ponies in the IPS in-hand ring were small, the same could not be said of the quality, which was impressive.

In the led classes, it was once again Goldengrove Temptress who dominated proceedings, with Thalia Smithwick’s black mare Kilcreene Black Pearl standing reserve.

Again in the ridden classes, the standard of pony was the order of the day. Following a successful in-hand career in Britain, Melanie Marnane’s Anton Cat Serat made his under saddle debut with Amber Marnane in impressive style taking the reserve in the show pony championship.

Penny Kelly, on her new ride Chagford Leon, won the 128s and championship beating the lovely Whittaker Duchess, ridden by Nicola Dee, who, very sportingly, had asked for the class to be held to allow her fellow competitor time to make the class.

It was the boys who dominated the show starter stakes with Jordan Murphy riding Lucifer into poll position with Ronan Gilvarry in close second with Chantilly Toy Boy who went on to take both this and the show hunter reserve champion.

The Family Pony Ring was a great success under judge Mrs. Mavis Murray, and kicked off in a blaze of colour with the fancy dress. Huge effort had been put into these outfits and all the ponies behaved impeccably. Mrs. Murray’s choice was the Bumblebee – pony resplendent in yellow hood, bee eyes, and rider complete with wings!

There were a variety of equitation classes divided by age. These classes were to promote good riding amongst children who did not come from a showing background and to encourage participants to look to the “big rings” for future participation. Abby Byrne was the winner of the Champion Family Pony, kindly sponsored by BNC Plumbing.

The driving classes, a new introduction this year, kindly sponsored by Botanica International, were judged by international judge, Mrs. Sarah Mullins, well known for her own driving exploits with her Welsh Cobs. The Welsh Championship was well won by Frank Williams Muskerry Lucia, who also featured in Ring 1 prizewinners. The Overall Championship was won by Jean Rea’s Bill, a fine cob-type driven by Paddy Rea, with an immaculate turnout. It was evident from the entries that the Welsh cob and pony is ideally suited to driving pleasure vehicles.

The All Welsh Show, run by a very small committee of volunteers, is a huge undertaking. It represents the ongoing enthusiasm for the breeding and production of the Welsh Pony in Ireland, a breed renowned for versatility, temperament and conformation.