THE Irish Pony Club (IPC) announced the appointment of Michael Essame as chairman of the IPC Equestrian Executive Committee. Elected by postal ballot in early December, he takes over from Barbara Micks who held the role for the last six years. Essame is a forestry graduate of Trinity College Dublin. He is married to Celine, whose Newstown prefix is well known. He was Area 9 Representative for the last five years.

At the IPC Equestrian Executive meeting on December 12th, IPC training chairman Tony Ennis outlined details of a revamp to the training committee for 2020. Nominations will be sought for the position of chairman. If more than one person is nominated, an election will take place. Two new members were appointed to replace those who retired. Ennis also asked for approval to include three younger members in the make-up of the new committee, which was accepted. Laura Whyte, Jennifer Diamond and Peter Dillon will complete the 2020 committee.