THE Ward Union Branch of the Irish Pony Club has a long association with racing, a fact underlined when 95 members attending their recent camp at Fairyhouse, were warmly welcomed by the track’s very helpful and accommodating manager Peter Roe and all the racecourse staff.

Former Branch member Keith Donoghue, the top National Hunt jockey who hunts regularly with the Ward Union, visited camp with one of trainer Gavin Cromwell’s runners.

While there, Keith showed his skill on the Equicizer which RACE (the Racing Academy and Centre of Education) is bringing on a nationwide tour of Pony Club camps.

Also associated with the Branch and hunt in the past, James Ryan called in one day along with fellow flat apprentice Robert Whearty. This visit was organised by Joanne Quirke who, on behalf of Treo Eile, delivered a demonstration on the use of ex-racehorses in Pony Club activities.

In this she was assisted by Offaly and Meath Branch members Roisin Conway and Emma Jo Carolan who rode Pots Of Luck and Masterson.

Louise Duffy also brought along the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo. When trained by Willie Mullins, this French-bred gelding ran three times at Fairyhouse, winning twice, his second success coming in the Grade 1 Ryanair Gold Cup Novice Chase at the 2018 Easter Festival. Besides racing, there were visits to camp by Connolly’s Red Mills, the Garda Mounted Unit and the Army Equitation School.

Nearly 30 members left Fairyhouse one day to try their hand at polo down at Polo Wicklow while Clara Cully left on the Wednesday to pop across the road to Tattersalls where she won the side saddle class at the Irish Pony Society Kildare/North Leinster Area Show.

Former amateur jockey and international event rider, Comdt Terence White took a week’s leave to coach the senior ride and he brought them over to Tattersalls on the Wednesday to watch some of the show jumping as did Abbie Coakley and Dermot Murphy with their rides. The seniors received permission to walk the 1.50m Grand Prix show jumping track and then, after he had jumped, they discussed his round with Comdt Geoff Curran.