AMONG the many thousands who attended the National Ploughing Championships at Screggan on Tuesday were members of the Irish Pony Club who took part in three mounted games competitions.

The Wexford Branch was victorious at Under 10 level, and had a photograph quickly up on Facebook to let everyone know, while the Shillelaghs won both the Junior and Senior competitions as their near domination of the sport this season continued.

The inclusion of the mounted games at the championships looks set to continue for many years to come as Anna May McHugh, managing director of the National Ploughing Association, presented a new cup on Tuesday for the senior competition.

RACEDAY

Tomorrow, the IPC’s annual family raceday takes place at the new venue of Naas racecourse where there will be a reptile zoo, face painting, bouncy castles, and much more.

Members who successfully completed the recent jockey skills training course will take part in an exhibition race and the Waterford Branch will perform their musical ride to the soundtrack of Beauty and The Beast.

The first race, for two-year-olds who have never run, is due off at 2pm, while the feature event on the card, the Group 2 Juddmonte Beresford Stakes over a mile, which is also for two-year-olds, is scheduled for 5.00pm. The remainder of the card comprises three Group 3 races, a two-year-old auction race and two handicaps.