Margie McLoone

TRAINING bursaries with Commandant Gerry Flynn and Sarah Ennis are on offer for the winners of the 90cms and 1m classes at the All Ireland Pony Club show jumping Derby day which takes place next Saturday at Rincoola, home of Harold McGahern, chairman of the Irish Pony Club.

Jumping will be over a course designed by the IPC training chairman Tony Ennis but mainly encompassing that used for the Future Event Horse League. There will be a warm-up special over a shortened 90cms course, which is open to all, followed by the 90cms class over the full Derby track and then the 1m class over the full Derby track.

The winner of the 1m class will also be offered the competition ride for the 2015 season on a Rincoola horse. The Derby was last held in 2000 when the main class winner was Edward Butler who this season won the Irish Sport Horse Studbook Showjumping Series for seven-year-olds on the McGahern-owned and bred Rincoola Rua. All inputs are generously provided pro bono by the donors.

Entries for the Derby Day close on Tuesday next, August 26th with the IPC office and the course will be open for inspection on Friday.

This weekend, 346 combinations are due to contest the Irish Pony Club/Connolly’s Red Mills eventing championships at Tattersalls. All dressage tests will be ridden today and show jumping for intermediates and most juniors will also take place. Tomorrow is devoted mainly to cross-country with show jumping for all open riders and junior individuals also on the schedule.