THE Mounted Games Associations from north and south of the border have joined together to run a five-date All Ireland league between now and September.

The league will include classes for all ages, with pair competitions for under-12 and under-14 riders and team events for under-17s and open competitors.

Silverwood Arena in Lurgan, Co Armagh hosted the opening leg of the league last Sunday, where seven teams contested the open division.

The star-studded Kildare team held off a late challenge from the young Armagh team to finish on 89 points, just five ahead in the end.

In the under-17 section, three of the eight teams entered battled it out at the top of the scoreboard all day. Cork and Carlow finished the first session on equal points, with the Antrim team just one point behind but Cork held on by one point to take the win in the final.

Antrim and Carlow had equal scores so had a very exciting run-off for second place, in which the riders from Antrim held their nerve and won to take the second place rosettes.

These two classes were sponsored by Doagh Equestrian, who supplied gift bags for the winning teams and vouchers for the second and third-placed teams.

The under-14 pairs competition resulted in a great win for Henry Woodrow and Ben McKechnie who took home the beautiful rugs sponsored by Connell Hill Equestrian.

The next leg of the league will take place in Stradbally, Co Laois, where riders will have another chance to gather points which will decide the All Ireland Team Champions at the end of the year.

Both Mounted Games Associations are looking forward to a busy season ahead and are continually recruiting and training new members. Anyone interested in taking part should contact Rachel Doherty (Northern Ireland) via Facebook MGA NI or Debbie McCarthy either by Facebook message via Mounted Games Associaton of Ireland or by calling 087-4135483.

There is no upper or lower age limit for riders and as long as your pony is under 15hh you can play.