Just days before they were due to be held this weekend, the Joe Duffy Volvo Irish Pony Club National Tetrathlon Championships were cancelled on Wednesday.

Following Tuesday’s announcement by Government of increased restrictions, the IPC and its Tetrathlon Committee, who had worked so hard to organise the competition during these days of Covid-19, had little option but to make this decision. At time of writing, the Committee was considering if the championships could, or should, be held on another date.

Due to take part were a total of 210 entries from 17 Senior Boys, 53 Senior Girls, 40 Junior Boys and 100 Junior Girls.

Members of the IPC have been invited by The Pony Club in the United Kingdom to take part in a virtual home international dressage competition.

This will be part of a virtual Royal Windsor Horse Show autumn series which will be live-streamed from September 25th to 27th. As a team representing Area 17 of The Pony Club won the inaugural running of this competition at last year’s ‘real’ Royal Windsor Show, one would expect there will be a strong bid from members of Branches in Northern Ireland to claim the virtual title as well.

All details regarding this home international can be found on The Pony Club website (pcuk.org/sports/dressage). Entries close on Friday, September 4th.