THE Irish Pony Society held their national spring show last Sunday at Barnadown where, with the Co Wexford venue’s assured surfaces and plenty of space, they were able to offer something for everyone, advertising 109 classes.

Not all received entries and some others attracted very few, but there was huge interest in the Royal International Horse Show (July 21st to 26th) qualifiers, with course builder Shane Brooks posing quite a challenge in the working hunter section with his Derby tracks.

The performance ring saw a steady stream of competitors all day and it was interesting to note that the champion and reserve came from opposite ends of the section.

Crowned champion was Aoibhinn Cashman’s 50cm class winner Withchill Tuttlebee, while Lily Nadir finished reserve with the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Zavy Echo (Zavatar F - Taylor Echo, by Clover Echo). The Isabel Burke-bred chesnut had first won the 1m class. All other performance championships are covered elsewhere on this page.

On a glorious day, the Irish Horse Board ring provided a wonderful setting for the RIHS flat qualifiers and, here, there were championship successes for, among others, Cherie McHugh’s Alia Massey-ridden Colandra Meant To Be in the mini ridden section, for Dulcee Morrisson’s lead rein class winner Cosford Wishes Vow in the Pretty Polly heritage division, for the Chissel family’s 133cm class winner Littlebyrom Limited Edition in the show hunter pony section.