WITH stables sold out at Castle Irvine, Necarne, on the Friday night before the Irish Pony Society Spring Show, there was a hive of activity on site with the Irish Pony Society’s mascot ‘Chips’ making a special appearance much to the younger competitors’ delight. Saturday morning saw beautiful sunshine greeting competitors, judges and stewards.

Spirits were high as there were over 35 Royal International Horse Show qualification spots up for grab. With 82 classes, over 400 entries and exhibitors travelling from all over the country, classes proved very competitive.

Some of the largest classes of the day were in the BSPS RIHS Working Hunter section. Adrian Steward and her team efficiently built working hunter tracks and set very inviting courses for the riders and were on hand all day adjusting fences. Judges David Bartram-Lawton and Denise Colebrooke were given the difficult task of judging these highly competitive classes.

The lucky competitors to come away with a ticket for Hickstead were Horse & Jockey Clasper, ridden by Harry Greene who has taken over the ride from his sister Kirsty. Ned Kelly and Tinnecarrig Milo was the judges’ pick for the second year in a row in the 133cm section, the ultra-consistent partnership of Danny’s Pride and Emily Marnane booked their ticket in the 143cm section and new pairing for the 2023 season of Dartons Atom Man and Aoibhinn Ruane claimed the 153cm spot.

The stunning combination of Jessica Murphy and her mother Melissa O’Connor Murphy’s gelding Darcy de Chanteloube picked up an incredible three qualifications, Intermediate Working Hunter, Intermediate Show Hunter and Small Hunter. No mean feat for the team with Jessica just coming back from a broken collar bone and thanked her Mum for helping to keep Darcy in tip top condition whilst she was out of action.

The mini worker hunter section had plenty of entries and it was great to see the youngest jockeys learning their craft at such a big show venue. The lead rein working hunter win went to a delighted Rohan Moloney on the ever young Tabita Mini Minx and the Cradles Stakes win went to Nicole O’Shaughnessy riding Thistledown Heartbeat, with them both standing Champion and reserve in this section.

Ridden and WH classes

Connemara ponies were out in force over the weekend across the Ridden and Working Hunter classes.

In the ridden classes, Agharanny Knight, owned by Ciara Durham and ridden by Charlotte Goor won the Ridden Connemara Under 16s class. Charlotte Smiley piloted Keadeen Cashel, owned by Joe Burke, to win the Ridden Connemara Over 16s class before going on to be Ridden Connemara Champion of the show.

Glencarrig Bracken, ridden by Jessica Murphy, stood Reserve Ridden Champion.

The Open Connemara Working Hunter Pony Under 16s class was won by Lara Field and Creganna Dandini who is owned and bred by her mother Marjorie Hardiman.

Glasson Shadow won the Open Connemara Working Hunter Pony Over 16s ridden by Freya Alken. Glasson Shadow and Freya went on to stand Champion Connemara Working Hunter Pony on the day with Rathbane Legend, ridden by Eva McGimpsey, taking Reserve. Kitty Concannon secured two qualifications to the Royal International Horse Show. Firstly she won the RIHS Pretty Polly Heritage Mixed Breeds with Bridgo’s Knight. She went on to qualify Kilnavara May for the RIHS Pretty Polly Intermediate SH/SRT.

The BSPA Ridden Coloured Royal International Qualifiers were back for a second year.

Judge Leon King awarded Aoife O’Connor’s Ashlea’s Grand Finale, ridden by daughter Sadhbh, top honours in the horse section with Jennie Curran’s Tidkin Talisman, piloted by Amira Curran, claiming the win in the pony class.

Beautiful display

The mini ponies and riders put on a beautiful display of riding with Bunbury Sorbet picking up two qualifying spots in the RIHS Lead Rein and First Ridden for Show Ponies, ridden by Charlotte Cassidy and Taylor-Lee Doyle for owner Roisin Cathcart. Other winners in this section included, Yrenfys Llwynog, Tyrdulais George Bond, Thistledown Icelander and Tressparrett Indian Tribute. We can’t wait to see these all in action in Hickstead in July.

Another double ticket winner on the day was Fiona Goor’s Underhill Bobcat winning the RIHS 143cm Show Hunter and Pretty Polly Mixed Height Show Hunter.

With classes for horses, cobs and youngstock there was really something for everyone. In the novice ridden section Marion Judges’ Waterglades Overthemoon was crowned Novice Champion with Aoife O’Connor’s Fifth Avenue standing reserve. Other lucky competitors who we will see in July flying the flag for Irish showing are Wycroft Gatsby, ridden by Hannah Mackey, for her mother Emily Widger and Tara Hudson’s Goldegrove Maydream, ridden by Charlotte Kelly.

The Show Pony and Part Bred Champion of the show were new combination Roseberry Make Believe and Kate Lawlor and with the pony only arriving on Irish shores on the Thursday before the show it was quite the debut for this combination.

Ciara Mullen’s Dublin winner Chantilly on the Rocks booked his passage across the Irish sea by winning the RIHS Small Riding Horse class. There were plenty of multiple qualifiers in the horse section with Brian Murphy picking up two tickets with Goodnight Master and The Peaky Blinder. James Smyth picking up an impressive three tickets with Bannside Dancer, Endeavor and Codeword.

Top honours

The day rounded off with the two Supreme Championships. First up it was the Barberstown Castle IPS Members Supreme which welcomed the highest placed IPS members from all classes throughout the day. After much deliberation Darcy de Chanteloube was awarded top honours with Dartons Atom Man claiming reserve champion. Following this was the Legacy Wealth Management Supreme of show. A wonderfully diverse display of ponies, horses and cobs were on show for the dedicated spectators. The judges took some time in deciding who would take the overall crown and in a reversal of the earlier result, Dartons Atom Man reigned supreme with Darcey de Chanteloube taking reserve on this occasion.

The IPS thanked all who supported the show, judges, stewards, committee, sponsors and the new members who have joined this year, the non-members who experienced IPS for the first time and all loyal members that travel the country supporting shows and we look forward to two great days at the Championship Show which takes place on August 19th and 20th at Mullingar Equestrian Centre.