THE first Irish Pony Society-affiliated show of 2026, the Limerick Clare Area Winter Woollies, was held last Sunday at Garranemore Equestrian, Pallasgreen.
Judge for the day was Imelda O’Shaughnessy, whose mini champion was the show hunter lead rein class winner, Newoak Hot Gossip (Shilstone Rocks Day Of Fury - Barkway Mystique, by Beckside Little Toff), who was partnered for the first time in competition by owner Jodie Moran’s four-year-old daughter Philippa Braddish. The latter, who has taken over the ride on the 15-year-old British-bred gelding this season from her brother Seamie, spent all winter practising her trotting and show piece on the bay.
https://foto.ifj.ie/fotoweb/archives/5006-Irish-Horse-World/Irish%20Horse%20World/b1828bdd-682f-4e48-821a-cff286812870.jpeg.info#c=%2Ffotoweb%2Farchives%2F5006-Irish-Horse-World%2F%3Fq%3Dphilippa%2520braddish
Philippa Braddish on the mini champion Newoak Hot Gossip
Another combination who have been working hard over the closed season were the reserve champions, Enzo Rocca Houlihan and his mother Tara Rocca’s 14-year-old Bronheulog Gold Dust (Eyarth Figaro - Bronheulog Sizzy, by Haverford Sizzler). Enzo and the British-bred palomino lined up for the championship having earlier won the open show hunter pony first ridden and the open show hunter pony 123cm classes.
O’Shaughnessy’s ridden champion was the newcomer Seafeld Turnog Mossy (Drumbad Fletcher Moss - Furbo Primrose, by Atlantic Tiger), winner of the novice ridden Connemara class under his producer Pauline Dahill. The 2022 grey stallion was purchased at the end of last year from Mike and Jennifer Keane’s Cherrynook Connemaras by Gill and the late John Glynn.
“When he came to me, we broke him and left him off for a holiday,” reported Dahill, who is facing into another busy showing season. “We brought him and three other four-year-olds to this show for an education and to see how they would get on. All came home with a rosette and we were absolutely delighted with our champion.”
It was a busy weekend for Dahill, who had another bunch of young ponies competing in the combined training classes at Sceilig Equestrian on Saturday. Based in Lismore, Co Waterford, she will not be making entries for any of the Balmoral Connemara or Irish Draught qualifiers as they are too far away but, at this early stage of the season, will be targeting working hunter qualifiers for the Northern Ireland Festival at Cavan (May 1st to 3rd), where she will also make entries for the flat classes, and the Stepping Stones league at Wexford Equestrian.
All of the ponies who competed at Sceilig and Garranemore have been hunted, apart from Seafeld Turnog Mossy, who will have a day out before the season ends.
Standing reserve ridden champion on Sunday was Lily Stapleton and Dominic Furnell’s Connemara gelding Breaffy Arthur (Dunally Lad - Breaffy Elmo, by Tempo Active Atlas). The Seamus Tuohy-bred five-year-old was ridden for the first time in a show class by 11-year-old Isobelle Stapleton. Purchased last year, he was quietly produced on the flat and in working hunter competitions.
Sports Pony Challenge
THE first leg of the Irish Pony Society’s 2026 Sports Pony Challenge will be held this day fortnight, Saturday, March 7th, at Raheen Na Gun, Kilkenny.
There should be increased interest in the three-phase competition (dressage, performance working hunter and show jumping) this season, as Ireland hosts the European working hunter pony championships in 2027.
The second qualifier is scheduled for Saturday, March 21st at the Banner Equestrian Centre, Ennis with Killossery Lodge Stud in north Co Dublin hosting the third on Tuesday, April 7th during the Easter school holidays. The final is listed for Sunday, April 26th at Boswell Equestrian, Wicklow. The qualifiers are open to non-members, but all competing at the final must be IPS members and all ponies must be registered. Full details regarding class conditions, the dressage tests being used, the dimensions of the fences plus the rules regarding dress and tack, etc, can be found on the IPS website.