THERE was a special reason for choosing the beneficiary of last Sunday’s Connemara Pony of the Year charity show, now in its fourth year. Pieta House, Féileacáin and Hand In Hand are the previous choices to benefit from the show, chiefly organised by the Halpin family.

“Our chosen charity this year is Galway Sick Kids; it’s in the Paedaetric Unit of [Galway] University Hospital, they’re doing great work making the facilities better for the kids and parents that have to stay in there,” explained Alaoise Halpin Coen.

“I, myself, spent a week inside the Paediatric Unit with my son Harry when he was 10 weeks old. He was on breathing and feeding tubes so they really, really need every little bit of help they can. The nurses and doctors do a fantastic job but the facilities itself really need a bit of upgrading so Galway Sick Kids really work to help everyone in there.”

Amongst the spectators and mini handlers were the charity’s Denise Holland and Harry himself, who showed the 26-year-old Sapphire, Alaoise’s retired show jumping pony, in the mini handlers class. Both Grofu Newell, who won that class and Yvonne Halpin were delighted when judge Mark Sheen, generously handed over his raffle prizes of a fruit hamper and bottle of champagne to the pair.