THE unpredictable Irish midsummer saw a record number of exhibitors brave a status yellow rainfall warning to participate in the seven horse and pony rings hosted at Athlone Agricultural Show last Sunday. This included hosting the excitement and adrenaline filled action of Irish Pony Club Games for the first time.

In the RDS Breeders’ championship, judges Claire Oakes and Rachel Hamilton Bennett selected Derry Rothwell’s Cruising mare Greenhall Dot and her Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet foal. The mare is a full-sister to Rothwell’s 2011 Championship winner Millennium Cruise. Clare exhibitor John Mulconroy also qualified Able Mistress for the second year running and she has a Future Trend foal at foot.