THE last two weekends in January may not have been at the forefront of many people’s equine events calendar as 2020 got underway. However, at a cold, wind-exposed Punchestown, the very best of the Irish Pony Club’s 14- and 15-year-old mounted games competitors gathered for the international team trials.

As in previous years, the biggest concerns for the participating children were whether or not their pony was fit enough, whether they’d managed to get enough winter practice in and whether the coldness of the day would cause handling problems on their part and lead to unnecessary mistakes in the arena.

Over 30 children trialled against each other, with randomisation of the heats, so that everybody played every game, or part games, as had been planned by the organisers. There was the added pressure of the selectors watching every heat as well.

The competition was excellent as the riders battled it out to the very last race to try to secure their positions on the IPC’s international teams going to the Royal Windsor Horse Show, the Royal Bath and West Show and similar events in Britain. There, they would face competition from teams comprising some of the best riders from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Mounted games take an incredible amount of skill and bravery on behalf of the riders and those who qualify for these teams spend hours training with their teammates and trainers, while being supported by their families from all around the country. Their commitment and dedication to their sport and their team is evident in their achievements at these international competitions.

There was very little talk of Covid-19 in January. It was only after the trials that early spring training began to be disrupted by the country’s lockdown response to the worldwide pandemic and, shortly afterwards, it became apparent and the virus would have a major effect on the 2020 sporting calendar. One by one, each of the British shows at which the teams were aimed were cancelled.

Tinahely showdown

Last Saturday, the IPC staged a competition at Tinahely Showgrounds where all the international teams competed against each other. It was a beautiful sunny day and a highly competitive event. The Royal Bath and West team, which comprised Jake Branigan, Amy Lucey, Ruth Schofield, Eliza Jane Queally and Cormac Byrne, played best to win.

Other competitions on the day were the National Under 10, Junior and Senior competitions. IPC Branches from all over the country were well represented by members who all enjoyed their day.

Much thanks are due to Chris Ahearn, the chairman of the IPC Mounted Games Committee, his committee, all the trainers and all the volunteers who made it such a great event in Tinahely.