LAST weekend’s Irish Pony Club/Holmestead Saddlery International and National Tetrathlon championships proved hugely successfully, with the international exchange seeing friendships formed and contacts made that will last for many years to come.

Retaining cross-country for the ride phase instead of moving into a sand arena for show jumping saw the visitors compete at two of the country’s top eventing venues during their stay, Grove for the provincial competition and, last Sunday, Tattersalls Ireland where the run phase was also held on Bank Holiday Monday.