THE third and last qualifying round of the Irish Pony Society’s 2025 Sports Pony Challenge was held on Tuesday of this week in chilly but dry conditions at Marlton Stud where 12 combinations bagged their place in next Tuesday’s final at Killossery Lodge Stud.

One young person who will have quite a short journey to the Glynn family’s north Co Dublin equestrian centre is Nancy Caffrey who qualified when winning the opening starter stakes on 290 points with the 18-year-old palomino gelding Bowmount Rusty.

They won the Pam Walshe-judged dressage phase and the performance hunter section but could only finish third in the show jumping phase. Rosita Dunne topped the scoring there with Fontmell Jack Sparrow to finish second overall on 285 points ahead of Grace Lawlor on The Silver Bullet (280). Like most others in action on the day, the placed pair were previously qualified but were in search of league points.

Walshe also judged the flat work phase of the Novice class where the three golden tickets went to the top-placed trio. These were Laragh Molloy on HB Miss Kizzy (270), a 16-year-old grey mare by Pacom Of Newhaggart; Isabel Smithwick with the home-bred Welsh pony Kilcreene Serendipity (270), a seven-year-old chesnut by Moelview Cherokee; and Rosie Coad riding the traditionally-bred Irish Sport Horse gelding Mount Atlas (265), an eight-year-old bay by Nigrasine out of a Grange Bouncer mare.

The dressage phase of the remaining classes was judged by Lynne Cassidy whose winner of the 143cm division, the very much in-form Evie Kennedy and the Connemara gelding Little Dromin Phoenix, went on to claim the class honours with 290 points. They had a fence down in the Gillie Beere-judged show jumping section where the top marks for the only clear round over the Johnny Kyle-built track were awarded to Isla Coad who qualified in second with the Connemara mare Harnells Arctic Flames (185), an eight-year-old daughter of Ice And Fire d’Albran.

Qualifiers

Clara Cully qualified in third with another Connemara, Colemanstown Fred (265), a 12-year-old Killyon King gelding, with the remaining ticket going down the line to the fifth-placed combination of Sadie Orton and the 20-year-old grey gelding Gowerhass Boy (250).

There were only three starters in the 133cm class but each managed to win a phase.

Qualifying as the overall winner was Nina Smith riding the six-year-old gelding Brownsgrove Star (290), yes, a Connemara by Lydican Johnny who took the top points in the performance hunter section. Lucy Hope Ryan finished second on the dressage winner Diamond Shadow (285) and Caitlin Goff can look forward to lining out at Killossery Lodge with the eight-year-old 128cm bay mare Ms Golden Girl (280) who recorded the only clear show jumping round.

Already qualified, Charlotte Goor won both the dressage and show jumping phases en route to victory in the 153cm class with Ardville Whispering Hope (285). Here tickets were awarded to the third-placed pairing of Chloe Walsh with the ISH gelding Coumbrack Mr (260), a 13-year-old dark bay by Maam Hero, and Emily Salter on the fifth-placed 21-year-old dun gelding For Sure (255).

The sole starter, and qualifier, in the 158cm class was the Elsie Barry-partnered Waverley, a 10-year-old ISH mare by Waveney.

There were just three starters, all previously-qualified, in the 1m Connemara class won by Hannah Goold on Allendara Bay Dees Shadow but nine in the 90cm section. Here, class honours, and the first ticket, went to Evie Holohan on the dressage and show jumping winner Annette’s Girl (280), a nine-year-old mare by Woodfield Oisin.

India Cox qualified in second with Kinamara Lady Destiny (275), a seven-year-old dun mare by Fear Beag Bui while Maya von Moll secured the last ticket by finishing third on the seven-year-old Plume de Kezeg gelding Tousist King (270).

Those heading to Killossery Lodge next Tuesday are reminded that there is a special prize on offer for the highest-placed Pony Club member which is sponsored by Tiggy’s Trust.