MANY of Ireland's mounted games riders had other commitments last weekend which meant they could not take part in the English Championships. Younger members were training with their pony club teams in preparation for their upcoming trips to compete in international pony club competitions. This time of year is also very busy on the study front and many riders were busy preparing for their junior and leaving cert exams.

Jake, Ben and Kate O' Connor (Ireland) joined their Leicestershire yellow teammates, Meg Riddler and Tom Pharez (both of whom will be trialling for the English teams that will take part in the world and European championships) to compete in the English Championships.

The Leicestershire yellows got of to a great start on Saturday morning but an unfortunate accident in the afternoon left the team with only four members. Unfortunately Riddler's pony picked up an injury. The team continued with four ponies and progressed to the A-final where they finished fifth, a great result all things considered.

Craig O'Connor, Alan Keoghan, Graham Beirne (Ireland) and Mackenzie Taylor (USA) played for Leicestershire and qualified for the C-final where they finished fourth. The team was happy with this result as they were short one rider, had not played together previously and both O'Connor and Keoghan were riding novice ponies.