THE prices for show jumping ponies in Ireland are encouraging, however the nation is short of the top level ponies, according to Barra Sweetnam, brother of international rider Shane and father to six show jumping children.

“We are starting to buy in Europe which we never did 10 years ago. We are not producing enough quality here. A lot of good ponies are being ruined by overproduction and families are rushing them because the children will be out of age,” said Sweetnam.