PONY riders returned to Cavan Equestrian last weekend for a full schedule of jumping in the December three-day Winter Pony championships.

On Saturday evening, the highlight was the 148cm Retiring Riders class, with 86 riders putting their best foot forward in a bid to add another victory to their record. There was plenty of support for Connaught rider Tadhg Dillon as he took the win, when he lodged a clear in 56 seconds with Glencroft Go For Gold. Over two seconds behind was Niamh Staunton and Turpane Jessie, who also kept the poles in place in a time of 58.16. Alex McMaster and Aghalann Brexit were a mere fraction of a second behind, stopping the clock in a time of 58.17. A clear from Kym Moore and Drumcashel Legend in 58.77 saw them take fourth. Fifth place belonged to Mary Fitzgerald and Rathduff Good Guy, when they stopped the clock in a time of 59.02, ahead of Ryan De Sousa and Swanview Sparrow in 59.62.