SUSIE Shekleton and Aoife Keogh had targeted this highest proficiency test of the Irish Pony Club since joining Branches in Area 7 as young children. Here, they tell us a bit about themselves and their road to Spruce Lodge last October.

Shekleton (23), who lives outside Ardee in Co Louth, is studying for a Masters in Food, Nutrition and Health in UCD where she completed her undergraduate programme in Agricultural Science. While her parents, Jane and Robert, are not very ‘horsey’, she does have a very influential ‘horsey’ relation, her aunt, Susan Shekleton.

“Susan was in the Louth Hunt Branch when she was younger so for Christmas one year she gave myself and my younger brother a present of membership; I was around 10. I’d been given my first pony as an eighth birthday present. He probably wasn’t the best choice as a child’s first pony being a 14.2hh four-year-old, so we quickly realised we had a lot to learn! I was a member of the Louths for five years but joined the Meath Hunt Branch in 2012.

“My first horse, Brooklawn Buffet, was very good at dressage so I’ve always had a keen interest in that discipline and represented the IPC at the 2017 Pony Club Championships in Britain. In 2016 and 2019, I competed at the Dublin Horse Show in the combined training section, finishing fourth in the Open class in 2019. I also loved eventing with the Pony Club and, in 2018, I competed for the first time with Eventing Ireland. In 2020, I finished fourth in the CCI1*-Intro at the Kilguilkey House International.

“I took the Pony Club Tests through the years and found that was when my riding improved the most. I always wanted to take the A Test but never really felt I would be good enough as I only ever rode one horse at a time.

“Last summer, a week before the Millstreet International, my horse, Give Me A Reason, injured his tendon which was so disappointing as he was in great form with some good placings this year, including a win, at EI110 level. Kay Nolan then took me under her wing for the summer at her yard where I had the opportunity to ride a wide range of horses.

“I had to borrow two horses for the A Test. Becky Coonan kindly lent me Master Quality Imp for the jumping phases. He is a lovely OBOS Quality 004 gelding who she has competed up to EI110 level. Edel King gave me the loan of her 2000 gelding, Don Quixote, who previously competed up to Medium level under Dressage Ireland rules.

“I really enjoyed riding the other candidates’ horses at Spruce Lodge and carrying out the tasks set by the examiners. I felt a great sense of achievement to firstly do the A test and then not only to pass, but to do so with honours.

Grateful to Nolan family

“I owe a huge amount of thanks to Kay and the entire Nolan family while I’m also very grateful to Becky and Edel for the loan of their horses. Tom Mullen was also so kind to give me the ride of one of his horses, Sam II, to event over the summer.

“I’m also so appreciative to my parents for all their support over the years and especially to my mum who has driven me up and down the country on countless occasions. I’m also so grateful to the IPC for accommodating the A Test this year.

“It would be my dream to pursue a career in horses but I’m also really enjoying my Masters and would love to go into dietetics in the future. However, horses will always be a part of my life in some way for sure!”