IN conjunction with the annual Ballivor Show, the Meath Hunt Branch of the Irish Pony Club held an inter-club show jumping competition last Saturday when the home defence was only breeched once.

Meath Diamonds (75cm) and Meath Emeralds (80cm) won both team competitions. The former comprised Rose Reynolds (Cotterstown Dun), Kate Sharkey (Crimson And Clover), the busy Rosita Dunne (Fontmell Jack Sparrow) and Jane Reynolds (Conflicting Colours). Lining out for the Emeralds were Sophie Kenny (Mount Carmel Jodie), Kieran Dunne (Napolean), Emily Quinlan (Chocco) and Rosie Fowler (Lahinch Gizmo).

The Branch’s individual winners were Romaine White with Holly’s Lucky (50cm), Aifric Brady riding Flyhigh Snowball (60cm), Hollie Curran on board Belle Amie (70cm), Holly Lydon on Carbury (90cm), Tasmin Haughey with The Curious Man (1m) and Emma Quinlan riding the former racehorse Big Job (1.10m).

Sophie Kelly did her best to win the 80cm for the host Branch on the Connemara gelding Mount Carmel Jodie, a 14-year-old grey by Moonlight Silver Shadow. However, she had to settle for second, sandwiched between Louth’s Lara McAfee riding the five-year-old grey gelding Lake Edge Dandy and Westmeath’s Lana Carson on the 16-year-old bay gelding Ballymorris Storm. There were divides in the cross-poles class.

The Meaths always link into interesting items on social media and this week chose to promote the 2026 Thoroughbred Breeding Management Course being run at and by the Irish National Stud in Kildare and for which applications are now open.

“Starting off each January, this residential course provides students with hands-on experience whilst they develop in-depth knowledge on the global throughbred industry. Make lifelong connections, gain real-world industry experience, and graduate with a SETU-accredited certificate.”