THE much-needed rain arrived at the wrong time for those tackling the cross-country phase at Ballindenisk on Monday, August 3rd when Area 5 of the Irish Pony Club held the final Connolly’s Red Mills/IPC eventing qualifier for 2026.

The Area 5 committee ran one of the all-too-rare Open classes at Ballindenisk where, despite picking up four show jumping penalties for a total of 35, Megan Adams of the Laois Hunt Branch led from start to finish on Olivers Girl (KMS Romeo - Olivers Lass, by Riverside Clover). The pair also compete under Eventing Ireland rules and, on their most recent start, finished second in the EI110 (J) at Frankfort.