A SIZEABLE contingent of Irish riders made their presence felt on the British showing circuit in recent weeks. Many enjoyed a productive road-trip, returning home with an enviable ribbon haul and Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) tickets.

Mel Marnane certainly clocked up many-a-mile with her daughters Amber and Rianna. Amber opened her account at the Derbyshire Festival at Somerford Park with the 10-year-old Connemara Danny’s Pride who clinched the 2019 £1000 Northern Ireland Festival (NIF) supreme award.

Amber finished second in the M&M working hunter class before impressing in the championship to take the tricolour.

In torrential rain, the pair pulled out again to stand third in the HOYS class and to round off the day, they finished fourth in the HOYS plaited qualifier.

The family then travelled to Royal Three Counties at Malvern, where the rain continued to hammer down and Amber was out of luck.

Next stop was Lincolnshire County where Amber and Danny’s Pride won the 143cm plaited class, qualifying for HOYS, and they finished their trip on a high when winning the corresponding M&M class before standing champion.

“This was a day we’ll never forget. Amber and Danny received excellent marks and we are all thrilled,” said Mel.

The tour was completed at the BSPS mid-summer show at Arena UK and while Danny’s Pride was rested, Amber’s older sister Rianna competed her novice pony Dartans Atom Man, who had secured the 2019 Northern Ireland Festival supreme worker title at Cavan in April.

“This was only his second time over in England and he performed well for a novice pony,” Mel added.

Hancock a force

Tiggy Hancock is always a force to be reckoned with in working hunter classes and over a traditionally tough course, she gained a notable win at Royal Cheshire County riding Monarch Of The Glen (Glen) who topped the HOYS 143cm qualifier. The 13-year-old County Carlow rider also finished sixth in the 133cm class riding Corries Jack In A Box (Doc).

Tiggy and her ponies also braved the rain at Derbyshire Festival and Three Counties and were rewarded with more ribbons.

The trio maintained their consistency at Lincoln County where Monarch Of The Glen finished second and Doc took fourth, both ponies jumping clear.

The highlight of the trip came at BSPS Midsummer, where after both ponies won their class, Monarch Of The Glen added a Gold Cup win which qualified him for the Burghley Event Pony final.

Last September, Tiggy and Doc were the 133cm winners at Burghley. “It has been mission accomplished for us, we’ve had a great trip,” said Tiggy’s mum Jane.

Josh Williamson and Plasdavrene Matty’s Mate had one shot of qualifying for Birmingham at Derbyshire Festival and over a tough course, including water complex, the pair gained their HOYS ticket after winning their 133cm division.

Josh’s sister also brought her five-year-old novice pony Cadlanvalley Crusader to compete for experience.

“The weather was appalling but we’ve loved the tracks here,” said Josh.