THE fortitude of the pony communities from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales were resoundingly tested in squalid conditions at the Home Pony International in South View last week. All Irish ponies wore green rugs with pride, while the riders sported bright red ribbons to remember Jack De Bromhead.

Charlotte Foley and Ghost Rider Kerveyer were the best of the Irish in the mixed teams competition, winning bronze. Ted Fagan and Kiltormer Ruby won the 128 Winters on Thursday. He was also second in Saturday’s equivalent with Dooneen’s Electric, while Sam Widger and Creevelea Fire Fox went one better taking the win. Ted and Sam, along with Jack Dore riding Woodside Gerry Lee and Medb Kinny riding Leilaish Lady Penelope formed the 128 Irish Team, who were victorious on Friday’s Nations Cup.

Annie Boland and the consistent Mayfly Black Pennell took the win in the 138 Winters on Thursday, cementing their place on the Irish team for Friday alongside Nicole Brennan with Shenandoah Sadie, Lauren Adams with D Drim de Brixia and James Derwin with Ruby Brown. Solid performances all round gave the Irish team the gold on a zero score.

Championship for Fagan

The 1.15m Rising Star for 148 ponies on Wednesday saw Lauren Adams and Quintaira DZ finish third from over 100 starters. They managed to repeat the feat on Thursday, picking up another third, while Alanna Fagan went one better for second with Kilkillahara Beauty before going on to take the win in the Championship Final on Saturday where Alanna rode a blistering round in a very fast 24-combination jump-off.

The 148 Debut Team was selected from the Rising Star Competitions and aims to give up and coming combinations a taste of team competition. Kim Moore with GTA Lucy Lou, Mary Fitzgerald with Rathduff Good Guy R, Isabelle Boland with Ice Cold Sherry VD Zuuthhoeve and Natasha Foley with Kylebeag Showtime proved too good for the Brits, with the Irish once again taking the gold.

The Junior 1.25m Open decided the placings for the 148 Team and the Irish filled four of the top six places in the class. James Derwin was the highest placed Irish rider with Bobby Dawn, but elected to ride European Champion, Rincoola Babog for the team. He was joined by Anna White with Tankardstown Dreamer, Ellen Power with Carrigeen Moores and Lauren Adams with Corradino du Bary. They managed a valiant joint second behind a determined Scottish team.

Colm Widger and Barryroe Prince proved the best of the Irish in the Fledglings 128 Handicap Championships. Jack Dore and Drumlin Lad finished fourth in the 128 Grand Prix and Anna White finished fifth in the 148 equivalent with Tankardstown Dreamer, Alanna Fagan finished seventh on Kilkillahara Beauty and Mary Fitzgerald was eight on Rathduff Goodguy. Also, in the ribbons during the week was Josh Fitzgerald, Meadh Kinny, Juliet McIntosh, Jack Derwin, Colm and Joe Widger