Emer Bermingham

IRISH show-pony riders that travelled to the Horse Of The Year Show in Birmingham last week had much to celebrate, as impressive performances in a range of classes saw them take home a host of coveted prizes.

Winner of the working hunter pony of the year with Stambrook Miss Bellini in 2014, Jodie Creighton returned to claim the 143cms show hunter pony with Derrygimble Atlantic Storm.

This wasn’t the end of the celebrations for the northern rider, as she went on to claim the reserve ticket in the working hunter pony of the year championship, while Philippa Weir and Freckleton Maximus took home the supreme ticket.

Following a great show in Grantham, where she booked her place to HOYS, Tipperary based Sadhbh O’Connor aboard Valentine Dignity didn’t disappoint. Another great performance saw them claim the Topham Barnes 143cms show hunter pony title. O’Connor clearly impressed the judges and later went on to take Topham Barnes show hunter pony of the year championship.

The Irish had another victory in the Sandal BMW intermediate show-riding type, as Rathnaleen Gothic, which was bred-by Michael Grace in Nenagh and ridden by Lizzie Smith, won the large intermediate section, before going on to take the reserve ticket in a very close competition.

On the penultimate day of the show, Olivia Marnane and Goldsworth Sir Edward finished sixth in the 153cms intermediate show riding type from a strong field of 21 competitors.

Rachel Moore narrowly missed out on a win when pulled out in second place in the 153cms working hunter pony with Fortview Toy Boy and the same pair also finished fourth in the most consistent pony of the year class.

Moore and Fortview Toy Boy have qualified for HOYS on four occasions and are also twice winners at the Dublin Show and former champions at Royal Balmoral Show.

Also in action at HOYS, northern rider Ellie McDonnell and Goldengrove Sunrise finished fifth in the part-bred championship.

Supreme champion at the IPS annual show this year, Katie Wise and on All That Jazz put in a great performance in the 122cms show hunter pony section but was unlucky to finish out of the top placings.

Meanwhile Ellie McDonnell grabbed the attention of the judges with Rowfantina Jammy Dodger in the 122cms show hunter pony and was pulled forward to the final line-up.

The first and and secondplaced ponies in the 138cms riding pony class and champion riding pony, were all sired-by Derwent Rainbow Bandit. The son of Kilvington Scoundrel stands at the Goldengrove pony stud in North Tipperary.