THE third Irish Pony Club Race of the year took place at Navan last Saturday, following previous races at the Fairyhouse and Punchestown Festivals. The seven riders in action were members of the Laois, Westmeath, Ward Union and Louth Pony Club Branches.

All had attended the RACE academy in Kildare, where they were put through their paces by Aine O’Connor and Maxine O’Sullivan. They were taught the basics of race riding and were assessed on the simulator before riding the racehorse schoolmasters on the gallops.