WITH plenty of competitors making the trip down on Wednesday evening before the Irish Pony Society Spring Show, there was a hive of activity on-site.

Spirits were high, with a wonderful atmosphere, as there were over 35 Royal International Horse Show qualification spots up for grabs. With over 90 classes and over 500 entries and exhibitors travelling from all over the country, it meant classes were very competitive.

Some of the largest classes of the day were in the BSPS RIHS Working Hunter section. Shane Brookes and his able helpers efficiently built working hunter tracks and set very inviting courses for the riders and was on hand all day adjusting fences. Judges Paula McCarthy and Joanne Quirke were given the difficult task of judging these highly competitive classes.

The lucky competitors to come away with a ticket for Hickstead were Horse and Jockey Clasper ridden by James Greene, who picked up two tickets in the Nursery Stakes and Open 133cm Working Hunter and Little Dromin Phoenix was the judge’s pick for the143cm section, the ultra-consistent partnership of Ella’s Melody and Hannah Mackey backed up their hugely successful 2023 season securing their ticket to Hickstead in July.

Hannah and the lovely Connemara The General also booked their trip across the water in the Pretty Polly Heritage Mixed Breeds.

Consistent

The consistent combination of Jessica Murphy and Melissa O’Connor Murphy’s gelding Darcy de Chanteloube picked up two qualifications, Intermediate Working Hunter and Intermediate Show Hunter. Other winners in the Intermediate section were Abbie Shannon riding Arizona Gold, who took the Intermediate SRT and the Pretty Polly Int. SRT titles and topped it off by taking the RIHS Intermediate Championship.

Fiona Goor’s Underhill Bobcat and Ardville Whispering Hope won the RIHS 143cm and 153cm Show Hunter classes.

The BSPA Ridden Coloured Royal International Qualifiers were back for a third year. Representing the horses will be Ciara Mullen’s Bart and the pony ticket went to Amber Lane and Creganna Dancer. Both new combinations for the 2024 season.

The RIHS mini ponies and riders put on a beautiful display of riding with Chaseford Camelia picking up two qualifying spots in the RIHS Lead Rein and First Ridden for Show Ponies ridden by Myia Latto. More double ticket winners were Newoak Hot Gossip in the lead rein and 123cm show hunter first ridden, Pantycoad Mercutio in the heritage lead rein and first ridden.

IPS Spring Show Horse Supreme Champion Gortfree Lakeside Lad with Linda Murphy \ John O’Carroll

Horses

The ridden hunter classes were very well supported with all competitors vying for the coveted RIHS ticket. Judges Aubery Chapman and Philip and Philippa Scott had the tough task of choosing the winners. Champion Ridden Hunter was John and Deidre Burchill’s Ballard Bridge Boy, with Gillian Torrens’ About a Master taking the reserve spot. Susan Tennant’s Hollyrock Cooper Jack took the Champion Cob title and Jennifer Kennedy’s Money Cross took reserve. Clara Flemmings Bishopshall Sparky was Champion Amateur Hunter and DOD Field Master reserve.

Riding Horse Champion was MHS Lady Master and Redmays Romeo was reserve. The Horse Working Hunter honours went to Gortfree Lakeside Lad, who was also supreme Champion Horse was awarded to Gortfree Lakeside Lad, with KBF Paved With Stars taking reserve.

Strong Entries

In the mini worker hunter section it was great to see the youngest jockeys learning their craft at such a big show venue. The lead rein working hunter win went to a delighted Rohan Moloney on Tabita Mini Minx, the Cradles stakes win went to Nicole O’Shaughnessy riding Thistledown Heartbeat and My Starlight with Cian Greene took the beginners cradle stakes win. Tabita Mini Minx was crowned champion, with My Starlight standing reserve.

Connemara’s were out in force across the Ridden and Working Hunter classes, which was delight to see.

In the ridden classes, Charpucca Chappy, owned by Jennie Curran and ridden by Amira Curran, won the Ridden Connemara Under 16’s class. Grace Maxwell Murphy piloted Glencarrig Douvan, owned by Patrick Curran, to win the Ridden Connemara Over 16’s class, before going on to be Ridden Connemara Champion of the show. Novice Connemara Cornfield Cressida stood reserve.

The Open Connemara Working Hunter Pony Under 16’s class was won by Maggi Caffrey and Illaunurra Bay. Manor Cascade, partnered and owned by Abbey Dowling, won the Open Connemara Working Hunter Pony Over 16’s and stood champion.

M&M classes proving popular saw Glencarrig Douvan take home another championship and Agharanny Knight was crowned champion M&M worker.

Show Pony and Part Bred Champion was Tidkin Talsiman, ridden by Amira Curran, who had just returned from a successful trip to the UK showing circuit. Equitation Champion was Jocelyn Hutchison, who also took home the performance championship title. With new IPS chairman Jeff Grace on hand to present the prizes after a long deliberation the Supreme Champion Pony was announced as stand-out performers of the day, Lucy Doyle and Who’s Jardin B. This combination were crowned Open Working Hunter and Show Hunter Champion earlier in the day.

IPS Spring Show equitation lead rein winner Talgarth Casper ridden by Camilla McNamara-Kelly, led by Neva McNamara, with Judge Paula Macarthy \ JRS Photography

The IPS would like to thank all who supported the show, the Judges, Stewards, Committee, Sponsors, Bramhams of Buckingham, Glas Services and TopSpec, the staff at Mullingar Equestrian and all the new members who have joined this year, the non-members who experienced an IPS for the first time and all its loyal members that travel the country supporting shows and we look forward to two great days at the Championship Show, which takes place on July 31st and August 1st, back at Mullingar Equestrian Centre.