ALL those involved with the Muskerry Branch of the Irish Pony Club were heartbroken by the news of the sudden passing of their dear friend, club treasurer and Area 5 Representative, Dr Anne Crowley on Friday, January 6th.

Anne, a doctor in Philosophy with a PhD in Education from DCU, was an active, valuable and well-respected member of the Branch committee since her children first joined the club in 2016. She held the position of treasurer having previously filled the role of Club secretary. She was a committed Pony Club parent who completely understood and promoted the ethos of the Irish Pony Club.

Anne was the driving force behind the Area 5 Fun Minimus/Tetrathlon training day at the magnificent grounds of Ballindenisk in May and the hugely successful Jumps Ahead League also at Ballindenisk in October and November. The Minimus/Tetrathlon saw almost 150 participants take part while the Jumps Ahead League saw over 500 rounds of jumping scheduled across the four Sundays.

Anne had recently been appointed Irish Pony Club Area 5 Representative, a role that she was very much looking forward to taking on with passion and enthusiasm.

As a child, Anne was a member of Carbery Hunt Pony Club, so her professional background along with her commitment to the Pony Club movement was of great benefit to the Muskerry Branch. She had a positive energy and a great can-do attitude to everything. Where some people saw an obstacle, Anne simply saw opportunity.

From near and far, the heartbroken Irish Pony Club family gathered to attend Anne’s requiem Mass on Monday week last, January 9th. In a special tribute, her coffin was carried from St Patrick’s Church, Bandon to the adjoining cemetery where a large number of Muskerry Pony Club members formed a guard of honour wearing their Club colours of black and white.

There are countless words to describe Anne – thoughtful, selfless, optimistic, warm-hearted, generous, never judgemental and a great listener. Everybody gravitated towards her because of the type of person she was – a kind, honest human being and a very genuine person.

The Muskerry Branch and the wider Irish Pony Club community wish to extend their sympathy to Anne’s husband Liam, children Diarmuid, Ciarán, Siobhán and Ellie Mae.

Rest in Peace Anne. You will be so sadly missed.