UNDER the banner of the Kildare Hunt Branch, an Irish Pony Club senior mounted games team competed at the three-day Royal Bath and West Show, which concluded last Saturday in Shepton Mallet, Somerset.

The squad comprised Adam Beirne (Kildare), Mark Byrne (Shillelagh & District), Claire Hill Doyle (Shillelagh & District), Alex Shortt (Kildare) and Orla Stack (Duhallow). Chris Ahearne and Eilidh Hyland travelled over as chef d’equipe and trainer respectively.

The team contested Saturday’s B Final, where they finished third on 90 points, just behind Essex North (91) who were 20 points adrift of the winners, Blackburn (111). They had disappointing results in the first two games in the final (bending poles and boule & bucket), but earned the maximum 10 points in the shopping spree round.

Dates for the diary

WHILE Minimus fans, parents and supporters will be heading to Clonshire for the weekend of June 13th and 14th, show jumping enthusiasts might consider spending the Saturday at an inter Club competiton being hosted by the Meath Branch, in association with Ballivor Show. Full details can be found on the Meaths’ Facebook page.

The first of the IPC/RDS mounted games qualifiers takes place at Gorey Agricultural Show on Saturday, June 20th. The series continues on the first day of Charleville Agricultural Show (June 27th and 28th), at David Lalor’s Field in Laois (Sunday, July 5th) and at the Carnew and District Agricultural Show (Saturday, July 18th).

The six qualified teams will appear for a dress rehearsal at Tinahely Agricultural Show on Monday, August 3rd, just days before the action gets under way at Dublin.

Mounted games

THE East Antrim Branch of The Pony Club dominated last Saturday’s Area 17 mounted games, which the organisers, the North Down Branch, had to switch late to Templepatrick, where they were kindly hosted at Clady Water Farm by Willie and Diane Jones.

East Antrim members won all four team competitions - lead rein, novice, Juniors and Seniors (where their second team placed fourth) - but did have to share the honours in the pairs’ competition with the Iveaghs.

The Seskinore Harriers Branch is due to hold the next Area competition, the Area eventing, on Sunday, June 28th at Ash Hollow.