Beautiful sunshine with a chill in the air greeted riders for the Irish Pony Society Spring Show, which was held in Raheen Na Gun on Saturday 4th May. Ger O’Brien and his team at Raheen Na Gun efficiently built tracks and set up two very inviting courses for the riders and were on hand all day. With over 60 classes to enter, there was lots to entertain the spectators. The largest classes of the day were in the mini classes with lots of small beautifully turned out ponies and riders walking away with colourful rosettes. Chloe Salley, riding Mrs Margaret Miller’s Goldengrove Sunshine, was both Show Hunter Champion and Part-Bred Champion. Mr James Kelly’s Rookery Haribo, ridden by Jack Kelly. also had a great day winning the Mini Show Hunter and the M&M Ridden Championship. The working hunter rings, although quieter, had some great displays of jumping with Mrs Ciara Durham’s homebred pony, Jim Delaney, winning Working Hunter Champion ridden by Pippa Durham, with the M&M Working Hunter Championship won by Mrs Margaret Nelson’s Benny Liath, ridden by Isabelle Nally. The Performance Championship was won by the super little pony, Inspector Bob, who has taught many a rider to negotiate jumps safely, owned by Mrs Sara Kavanagh and ridden by her daughter, Ellie. The delighted winner of the day was Charlotte Kelly, who won the overall Supreme Championship with Mrs Tara Hudson’s Chagford Leon. Charlotte had won the Show Pony Championship earlier in the day and was the Judge’s pick in the Supreme. Carla Williamson took the Reserve Supreme with Mrs Janet Williamson’s pony, Plasdavrene Matty’s Mate. Carla had won the Starter Stakes Championship after a lovely win the Open Working Starter Stakes competition.
The IPS would like to thank all who supported the show and all the new members who have joined this year and all its loyal members that travel the country supporting shows and look forward to a great season ahead.
Results from the show can be viewed in RESULTS : SHOWS.