THE pony section of Balmoral Show is increasing in size each year and next week sees two new Connemara classes being added to the programme, a qualifier for the high performance championship at Clifden in August and a ridden class for riders aged between 10 and 16.

The Connemara classes are again being sponsored by North Down Marquees whose ridden champion from last year, Kate Rath-Doyle’s Currachmore Cashel gelding Monaghanstown Rory returns to defend his title.