THE last of this year’s Irish Pony Club national championships, the Mackey-sponsored hunter trials, takes place today at Ballycahane Equestrian in Co Limerick.

There are 44 duos in the opening Under 12s’ pairs competition and 27 individuals in the closing Senior singles’ class. Disappointingly, only two Branches, Westmeath and Wexford, are fielding squads for the Senior teams of three event.

The final individual competitor, the Killinicks’ Grace Day who will wear Bib No 367, rides Ask Jim - one of nine thoroughbreds who are eligible for a Treo Eile prize. The horn-blowing competition for the Major Victor McCalmont trophy will take place during the afternoon.

Inter-Branch activities continue

If parents or guardians thought that inter-Branch Pony Club activities were finished for the year, they were mistaken.

Next Sunday, September 20th, the Meath Branch is running an end-of-season inter-club Derby (cross-poles to 1m) and fun day at the Meath Hunt’s performance Derby day in Nugentstown. Entries close on Wednesday on itsplainsailing.com.

In Area 17 of The Pony Club (Northern Ireland), bookings are now open for a two-day games camp (September 19th and 20th), which promises “an action-packed weekend of training, games, dancing, fun and plenty of team spirit!”

Looking further ahead, the Muskerry Branch is hosting the IPC Area 5 2026 Jumps Ahead League at Ballindenisk. The three qualifying legs are scheduled for October 11th, October 18th and November 1st, all Sundays, with the final set for Sunday, November 8th.

Of course, many Pony Club members will also be targeting inter-schools competitions, with the 2026/2027 TRI Equestrian league commencing next Sunday, September 20th, at the Tinahely Riding Club grounds in Tinahely.