THE Irish Pony Club recently welcomed a new Co Limerick branch to the fold, Thomond Pony Club, which was established in conjunction with the Limerick Equine Programme.

Here, the branch’s district commissioner, Lesley Jones, gives some background to this well-established project and the formation of the club.

“From small beginnings in 2006, the initiative has successfully delivered equine educational and therapeutic programmes in primary and secondary schools in the Moyross area of Limerick and, to date, 500 young people have had the opportunity to develop their horsemanship skills.

“The programme has included modules on horse welfare, riding skills, QQI Stable and yard routine accreditation, communications, human/equine nutrition and fitness. Five young people have been accepted into the RACE trainee jockey programme.

“The project’s strengths have been nurtured through a strong inter-agency, collaborative approach to all aspects of the work. The sharing of resources and expertise has been the ethos and spirit of the project. The addition of the Thomond Pony Club branch to this already active and well-established equine project will give our members the chance to develop a club that they can be proud of, take part in Pony Club training system and compete in Pony Club events. This will further develop their interest and knowledge in a subject they are passionate about... horses!”

Race-riding

ANY Irish Pony Club members interested in race-riding should note that a six-furlong flat race will be run at the point-to-point in Dromahane next Sunday, May 21st.

Riders, who must currently be registered with one of the IPC branches and be aged between 11 and 15, will follow an outrider for the first three furlongs and the race proper will be up the finishing straight. There will be a maximum starting line-up of 20, so potential jockeys should get their entries in to Eugene O’Sullivan on 086-2541398 by Monday next, May 15th.

The meeting is being run under the auspices of the Duhallow Foxhounds, a pack with which famous jockeys-turned-trainers Jonjo O’Neill and Jim Cullotty started their riding careers. Former members of the Duhallow branch of the IPC include Eugene’s brother William who won the Foxhunters’ Chase at Cheltenham in 1991 on the home-bred gelding Lovely Citizen.