THE first qualifier for the Dublin Horse Show mounted games championships takes place today at Gorey agricultural show which, this year, is being hosted by the Hardy family at Ashton, Ballycanew which is well-located on the main Gorey to Wexford road, near Exit 23 on the M11.

Already this season, teams have represented the Irish Pony Club in mounted games competitions in Britain with the most recent trip being to the Royal Bath & West Show (June 1st to 3). There, 12 teams took part in what was a thrilling few days of very high level games. Trained by the effervescent Michael Finn, the IPC team comprised Tipperary’s Lily O’Reilly, Duhallow’s Anna O’Meara and Sophie Murphy plus Carlow’s Jodie Foley and Alice Hatton.