COMPARED to other years, there was little action on the international front, but when the Irish pony riders did get out, they were simply unbeatable.
At the end of September, the Irish pony show jumping team of Ryan Sweetnam (Kilcummin Cruise), Jack Brennan (Alonsa), Niamh McEvoy (Caliber-de) and Alex Finney (Still Got Me), managed by Lucy Allen, won the FEI Pony Nations Cup at Sentower Park in Belgium. Ireland were in the lead on a zero score following the opening round and finished second round on eight faults to take victory.
The Netherlands and Germany shared second place on 16 faults while Belgium finished fourth, Italy fifth, and Sweden sixth. In the Grand Prix at the same venue, Alex Finney was best of the Irish in the Grand Prix with Still Got Me when she finished as the fastest of the four-faulters. Finney also took second place in the Table A with Fleur J & F.
National circuit
Normally the Pony Spring Tour marks the start of the national season for pony riders but this year it wasn’t to be as the weather and the pandemic largely put a stop to jumping. As the result, the one and only round of the Equijump Ltd league took place at Banner in March.
The first round saw all the familiar names put their markers down. In the 128 Pony Spring Tour 2020, riders only jumped one round at the venue on March 7th. Senan Reape and Mickybo took the win in the 128cm division while Jack Conlon Gateau and Sienna Dusky Sky claimed victory in the 138cm. Marta Hughes Bravo and Carrickaduff Pet took the win in the 148cm.
In the Children on Horses division, three combinations shared a win here: Alanna Fagan (Ballycarrick Lass), Katie Nallon (Bally Fair Deal) and Kian Dore with Master Holiday.
Coolmore Pony Premier League
One league that did come to completion was the Coolmore Pony Premier. It was neck and neck going into the final round in the 128cm under-10 between Elizabeth McCracken and Charlie Flynn, both on 23 points. Elizabeth McCracken and Sweet Lilly finally took this title as she took seventh place in the final round.
No stranger to success in this league, Senan Reape and Mickybo took the title win in the 128cm division. This combination had dominated this league, claiming four wins.
In the 138cm section, Ellen Power and Bear Me In Mind took home the leading rider and pony crown. In the final round, 29 combinations battled it out and five triple clears were lodged.
A previous winner in the league, Francis Derwin Jnr’s strong performance saw him take the leading rider title in the 148cm while Rincoola Babog was crowned the leading pony. The combination went into the final round on 36 points and a win here cemented their title when they delivered the fastest of seven triple clears in 29.75. The young Athlone rider was on form as he took the runner-up spot with Cul Ban Mistress, stopping the clock in 30.32.
The leading combination in the 148cm six- and seven-year-old Starfinder was Niamh McEvoy and Sparkling Lackaghmore Joey. This combination shone in the final round when they delivered a clear in 41.40 to clinch the win.
Also being decided that day was the Bob Sweeney Bloodstock Future Champions honours. Taking the title in the 148cm section after her win was Emily Moloney aboard Castlhill Titan. The combination led the victory lap when they delivered the fastest clear in 27.38.
Winner of the 128 U10 85cm division was Ella Rush with Dutch Lady, fastest of the double clears in 26.47. Winners of the 128 1m section was Lauren Adams and Moyralla Bob when they galloped home with nothing to add in 26.79.
It was a great outing for the McCracken family as Charlotte McCracken and Glenford Clausa took the 138cm 1.10m title when they delivered the winning clear in 28.99.
Retiring riders
Of course, this year there were many retiring pony riders who were denied their last year in ponies due to the pandemic. Without a doubt many of these will be out and about in the junior and children on horses next year. We wish these riders the very best in their future careers and look forward to seeing them in the winner’s enclosures.