WITH multiple success stories in Nations Cup shows for ponies in Europe, much of the credit has to go to Ireland’s leagues that educate and expose young riders and ponies to the rigours of top competition.
The story of the third leg of the Ballinroe Pony Premier Series at Castle Irvine, Necarne, over the weekend was that the recent good form of the Foley family turned into total domination with a whitewash of the Premier classes, making history in the process.
With five boys, it seems that Ger and Sorcha Foley are a permanent fixture in the warm-up at pony shows. Oldest brother, Jack, was champion conditional jockey in 2022, second son, Jason, was the European Junior Champion 2018 and winner of the World Young Horse Championships 2019, while third in line, Max won the 148 RDS Championship in 2018. Younger brothers, Ruben and Harvey, have certainly always had a lot to live up to!
The secret to success, according to Ger, is “hard work for sure”.
Harvey set the ball rolling in the majestic Walled Garden Arena with Knockeen Racing’s Back in a Flash winning the U10 Premier. Alicia Kernan and Where It Began took second with Caoimhe Murphy and Sparkling Lackaghmore Katie taking third.
Legend
In the 128 Premier, honorary Foley family member, Georgia de Bromhead took the win with the legendary pony owned by the Foleys, The Silver Legend. At 20 years young, The Silver Legend is on a three from three Premier winning streak for 2023.
According to Ger Foley: “We were short a child for the age group and we wanted to try out a daughter! Georgia has adapted to the Foley way of doing things.” The always competitive Charlie Flynn and Daffodil took second, with Lucia Keane and Bossinova rounding off the podium places.
Ruben Foley and the consistent Mayfly Green Peter won the 138 Premier, with Elizabeth McCracken taking both second and third places with Tynan Rocket and Drumcaughey Diamond respectively.
Ruben was once again on the top step of the podium for the 148 Premier, this time with Shamrock Du Gite, a relatively new partnership.
Katie Nallon took second place with Mister Jones and Gary Dooley continued his good form from Banner Premier with Coppenagh Gatsby in third place.
The Children on Horses classes was diminished with a team at Hagen, but Adam Adair dominated the class, taking first on Beach Toy and second on Remake Lande with Juliana Duffy and Ballycarrick Lass in third.
The Boomerang.ie sponsored six/seven-year-old class, which helps to develop future Irish pony superstars, saw just four ponies through to the jump-off over a tricky, flashy track. Johan Fitzpatrick Burns and Kinamara Dun Boy proved too good for the rest, with Lauren Adams and ASJ Samurai in second and Gary Dooley with Riviera taking third.
The Rose Garden Arena played host to the Bob Sweeney classes, which serve as an important alternative to the Premier classes. Lauren Cole and Cavern Hill Anney won the 148 1.15, while Anna Rose Garrity and Rosegate Mayfly won the U10 equivalent. Juliana Nelson and Maestag Edward won the 128 95cm while Ellie Bingham and Little Pretender won the 138 1.05.
Castle Irvine was resplendent on the day and the Keys family deserve a special mention for the pomp and ceremony of the podium presentations with flowers, bubbly and chocolates to the winners lending a sense of occasion to the proceedings.