CONNAUGHT pony riders and their entourages travelled the four roads to Glenamaddy Equestrian Centre last weekend for this year’s SJI Connaught Region Pony Championships, and what a perfect location it served to be, with the grounds in super condition for two days of show jumping excitement.

Although there were individual prizes in each of the classes on the day, Saturday’s primary focus was awarding the Silver Jumper Roxboro Stud League winners.

This league, kindly sponsored by Dara Larkin of the Roxboro Stud, was based on the results of 11 individual shows held throughout the province and, for some, it came down to the wire and was decided on Saturday’s results.

Niamh Delaney on Strawberry Swirl II winning the 128cm Under 10 Roxborough Stud SJI Connaught Region Pony League in Glenamaddy Equestrian Centre

In the 128cm Under 10, Niamh Delaney was thrilled to take the league win on the delightful Strawberry Swirl II, while the 128 90cm was won by the very popular Jack Costello on his lovely young palomino stallion Bronheulog Ruben.

Ronan Gilvarry and The Hilly Billy winning the 138 1M Roxbborough Stud SJI Connaught Region Pony League in Glenamaddy Equestrian Centre

In the 138cm 1m league, last year’s winner, the evergreen The Hilly Billy and Ronan Gilvarry, fought off stiff competition to take the beautiful laurel wreath again in 2023. The 148 1.10m was won by Galway man Tadhg Dillon on Ballagh Shannon based on their consistent results throughout the league.

Double delight

On Sunday, the Connaught Novice and Open championships were up for grabs, based on pony and rider combination results over the two days of jumping. First to be decided was the Newcomers Championship, which went to Edward Walsh Jr on young pony Sparkling Mr O’Brien.

Daniel McKeon and his smashing mount, Colour Me Perfect, were crowned Under 10 Champions, and showed their delight with a flying lap of honour. Tristan O’Conaola was certainly a very happy man on the day, taking home two of the titles, winning both the 128 Novice Championship with Bili Ffwl and the 138 Novice Championship with Lisross Tormey. For the 148 Novice Championship, Tadhg Dillon stepped up to the podium again based on his results with the Connemara mare, Diamonds Silver Shadow Gem.

In the Open Championships, Edward Walsh Jr was on point again, this time with his pony Chocolat II taking the 128 Open Champions after being victorious in three of the pony’s four starts over the weekend. The 138 Open Championship allowed Ronan Gilvarry to punch the air in celebration again, this time with Quantum Midnight Gyspy. The final Open Championship to be decided was the 148, and Zara Sharkey and the very consistent iFlex coming out on top in that decider.

Wth that, the 2023 Connaught Region Championship Show ended. Competitors, grooms, ground staff and committee members headed off home – tired, happy and probably a little sunburnt.