OVER 180 Pony Club parents and supporters made their way to Hotel Kilkenny on Saturday, November 1st for a fundraising black-tie ball, organised by the Irish Pony Club for the Irish Cancer Society. A fantastic night was promised and delivered with many partying until 5am.

The husband-and-wife team of Ed and Siobhan Donohoe from Goresbridge Horse Sales acted as auctioneer and MC for the night with the auction raising over €8,000. Fairyhouse Racecourse, Coolmore Stud, Mount Juliet Hotel and the Dublin Horse Show were popular lots making the bulk of the money, but there were gasps when five bales of straw, donated by Jan Kennedy made €500! Jo Breheny donated tickets to see her son Moncrief in concert, and these were quickly snapped up.

Clubs from Leitrim to Limerick and Kildare to Killinick were represented and there have been many requests for this to become an annual event. The fundraising team were delighted to announce that the total after the ball was almost €50,000, closing in on the goal set at the start of the year of €52,000 for The Irish Cancer Society.

With many of the pony competitions finished for the year, now would be an ideal time to organise fundraisers such a table quizzes and preloved clothing sales, as the team want to present the Irish Cancer Society with a cheque for €52,000 early in 2026.