WHILE Areas are waiting to confirm their show dates for next year, the working hunter committee of the Irish Pony Society have announced the dates and venues of the 2027 Sports Pony Challenge.

The first qualifier will take place at Raheen na Gun on Saturday, March 6th followed two weeks later by the second at Banner Equestrian. It’s back across to the east of the country for the third qualifier at Killossery Lodge Stud on Tuesday, March 30th with the final being held at Wexford Equestrian on Saturday, April 24th.

Next year is a very important one for working hunter pony riders, owners, officials and the IPS as Ireland will be hosting the European team competition over the two days of the IPS championship show in Banadown in July (16th and 17th). To be eligible for selection for a place on the Irish team, combinations must compete at three of the four SPC fixtures.

At present, the only other dates confirmed on the IPS 2027 list of events are the Society’s own Spring Show, which will be held at Wexford Equestrian on Thursday, March 25th, and the Wicklows/champion of champions show at Barnadown on Sunday, July 18th.

In Northern Ireland, Area 32 of the National Pony Society has booked the date of Sunday, April 4th for their Spring Show at The Meadows.