THE Spancil Hill-based Gateau Stables claimed national honours last week in Millstreet winning the prestigious 2017 Pony Young Irelander Championship with their four-year-old stallion D Drim the Brixia.

Valerie Gateau, from Gateau Stables, commented: “It was a very exciting week for Gateau Stables at the Millstreet International Horse Show. The Young Irelander Championships is a very prestigious class to win.

“Our four-year-old pony stallion D Drim’ de Brixia came first in the qualifiers out of 60 of the best three and four-year-old ponies in the country, he then won the final in his height category and finally, the icing on the cake – he claimed the overall Pony championship title. It really was a dream come true.”

One of Gateau Stables’ other ponies, the Connemara mare Sweet Lily took the runner-up spot in the Pony Discovery Championships on Saturday with 11-year-old Jack Conlon Gateau in the saddle.

“There is such a high standard of ponies and riders in the Clare area that really helps you get ready for national competitions when they come around. And hopefully there will be more clear rounds and good results to come. Next week, Jack will represent Gateau Stables and the Munster region at the National Pony Championships in Coilog in Kildare where we have two ponies qualified,” said Valerie.