DURING this packed schedule of fixtures, the Northern Area of the Irish Pony Society held their summer show on Sunday, May 31st at the Gransha Equestrian Centre where, at the end of a very busy day, 12-year-old Esther Lowry won the supreme championship on her mother Heather’s Annandale Prince Charming.

The Millisle combination qualified for the supreme by first winning their open 133cm show hunter pony class, which they did ahead of Elissa Cowan riding the 10-year-old gelding Dowhills Strolling Minstrel (Megland Very Smart - Dowhills May Pole, by Whalton Highwayman). Then they claimed the section championship, where Holly Logan stood reserve with the 153cm class winner, the five-year-old Connemara gelding Killeaney Silver (Silver Shadow - Beaghbeg Jewel, by Frederiksminde Hazy Match).

When it came to the supreme, Lowry and the 13-year-old British-bred Welsh gelding Annandale Prince Charming (Moleview Celebration - Acadame Popcorn, by Millcroft Spindrift) were beckoned into the champions’ spot, while Jocelyn Hutchinson stood reserve on the Intermediate champion, the show riding type four-year-old Irish Sports Pony Silken Orion (Masurenfuerst - Honeyhill Hazel, by Crusheen Comet).

Esther Lowry and Annadale Prince Charming, were named supreme champions at the recent Irish Pony Society Northern Area show at Gransha Equestrian \ Ellie Johnston Photography

“This is Esther’s third season riding ‘Charm’; they spent last year competing in Britain with some excellent results,” revealed Heather Lowry. “She is coached by Rachel Moore Rooney, who has been appointed one of the judges at this year’s Horse Of the Year Show. This season, Esther’s focus is to enjoy competing on home ground, support IPS and local shows and to once again compete with Charm at the Dublin Horse Show (where, in 2024, they won the show hunter pony championship).”

On Saturday last, Lowry and her new ride, the Dixon family’s Monaicha Belle, made their debut together in the young riders’ flat Connemara class at Tullylish, where they booked their RDS ticket when finishing third.

As his name would suggest, the reserve supreme, Silken Orion (Rían) was bred at the Ballinteggart Stud, Portadown by Helen Troughton. He was halter trained when purchased by 14-year-old Jocelyn Hutchinson and her mother Lorraine from James Hammond of Melbourne Sporthorses last September.

“Shortly after bringing him home, Jocelyn took on the challenge of starting Rían’s education herself, backing him in the New Year and producing him entirely on her own,” said Lorraine Hutchinson. “This success is a true reflection of her dedication, patience and horsemanship.” The future looks bright for this young combination.

The supreme championship here was a qualifier for next month’s all-Ireland pony supreme final at Killusty, where Coolmore Stud are sponsoring a €500 open working hunter pony championship over an all-grass track, which includes a bank.

Eight-year-old Freddie Brown had the perfect start to his partnership with Newfielden Eureka (Ninfield Eureka - Moorhall Ballerina, by Stanley Grange Cocksure) as, on his first ride on the British-bred eight-year-old, he won the show pony lead rein class, the mini show pony championship and, finally, the mini supreme championship.

Standing reserve supreme under Amelia McCartan was the mini Mountain and Moorland first ridden class winner and champion, the 18-year-old black Shetland Eynhallow Lewis (Yarper Chancer - Harviestoun Saffron, by Harviestoun Phoenix). Reserve in that earlier championship went to Myia Armstrong and Ronelle Ebony, a 10-year-old daughter of Eynhallow Lewis.

Reverting to Newfielden Eureka, Myia Latto also partnered the black gelding to win the 128cm show pony class and then stand reserve in the section championship to the 10-year-old gelding Highmead To Be Or Not To Be (Stridedale Mattador - Highmead Maybe Forever, by Highmead Forever Free), winner of the combined 138cm and 148cm class in the hands of Alex Hemsley.

The starter stakes champion of the show was the 24-year-old Welsh pony Bronheulog Harvey (Barkway Malabou - Hattongate Heidi, by Skellorn Consort), who was ridden by Grace Jackson. Standing reserve were Eirin Wardle and the 15-year-old mare First Delilah.

The supreme working hunter pony of the show was the 14-year-old Western Ocala (Cremully Western Melody - Western Princess, by Smokey Duncan) winner, under Megan Houston, of the older riders’ Connemara class and the Heritage working hunter championship. Elissa Cowan finished reserve with the 13-year-old Welsh gelding Janala Mr Tom (Eyarth Enz - Flinora Carmen Miranda, by Gwystre Dark Lad).