TOMAS Ryan of Tipperary Equestrian proved the most kind host for the annual Irish Pony Society Breeders’ Annual Foal Show, which has not been held since 2019 due to the pandemic. A fabulous entry of foals were forward some from new competitors and some from established breeders, several were marked in the catalogue for sale and three changed hands.

It was most fortunate to have the use of the fine indoor facility as there was very heavy rain for the day. However, this most certainly did not dampen the competitors’ spirits. There was very good sponsorship from the breeders and also from Claire Flaherty of Leisure Horse Ireland, the passport issuing authority for the Coloured Horse Studbook and the newly approved Welsh Pony and Cob of Ireland Studbook.

The standard of turnout for the day was very high indeed - all the ponies forward for plaited classes were plaited and judge Marion Condren did not have an easy task. Her first Champion was found from the Intermediate class with Jeff Grace’s Renelles Glamour Girl, an Arab crossed with an NPS Riding Pony. Reserve in the Plaited Section and also Leisure Horse Ireland Champion Welsh Part Bred was Jerry Moloney’s Breeneybeg Woodlark by his own stallion Orielton Top Secret, also the winner of the Part bred Class.

Supreme honours

The Coloured Pony Section was again most generously sponsored by Leisure Horse Ireland and the IPSA Studbook. The Champion here had travelled from Sligo but the trip proved well worthwhile as Marion Judge’s most attractive dun and white Waterglades Bailey’s on Ice not only took the money in this section but went on to be Supreme Pony of the Show, bringing home the Josie O’Brien Memorial Trophy.

The judge remarked after the show that this pony really stood out to her in the respect that it showed the most wonderful active walk and followed through with an eye-catching trot. This pony is sired by the Welsh Section B Janpete Iceman. Marian Judge also owns and bred the reserve Waterglades Dance with the Stars, by Wycroft Rainbow Dancer.

There was an excellent entry forward in the Welsh Pure bred section with three Section As five Section Bs and a Section C. The WPCS of Ireland Pure bred Colt Champion and Reserve WPCS Studbook Champion was found in Jerry Moloney’s Section A Barryroe Mon Plaisir, a big moving well grown colt by Friarly Gideon. Reserve was Carol Powers’s Section B Garnagree Gift by Moelview Cherokee.

The WPCS of Ireland Filly Champion was Penny Hard’s Section A Glynsylen Roselight by the veteran stallion Friars Rebel, this little filly partied on with Jason Lowe’s careful guidance to take Reserve Supreme. The Section As took the overall honours in the WPC of Ireland Studbook Championship with Glynsylen Roselight getting the nod over Barryroe Mon Plaisir to take home the Paulank Trophy.