Sadie McMahon, showing her lovely Springer Spaniel, Scooby

Iveagh Branch of the Pony Club held their Halloween Show at Moyallon on Saturday 1st November, generously sponsored by TRI Equestrian. There were show jumping classes for all, from cross poles to a very competitive 1.2M, There was also a top score Show Jumping Class which was won by Lucy Morton who earned herself a massive 500 points! The Family Pony Class proved very popular with a very spooky Halloween Course designed by Susan Roberts. The introduction of a Young Handler Class gave the children an opportunity to show their ponies in-hand.

The Fancy  Dress was the major attraction of the day, with many fantastic costumes for riders and ponies. The overall prize going to Zara McConnell who was a very strict looking member of the Mounted  Police! The Dog Show proved almost as competitive, with a wide array of little and large pampered pooches. Each and every dog was a winner in their own right, but Pippa the Cocker Spaniel belonging to Charlotte and Elizabeth McCracken caught the eye of the judge and took home the trophy.

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make The Iveagh Halloween Show a success. Special thanks to our Sponsors TRI Equestrian for the fabulous prizes. We had fantastic support from our team of willing volunteers, thanks to: Stephen McAlinden, Katie King, Helen Jennings and family, Margaret Murphy, Jane Richardson, Susan Roberts, Anne Kerr, Elizabeth Jess, Sharon Lyle-Hall, Georgina Walsh, Shirley McCombe, Diana Heffron, Susie Hamilton-Stubber and anyone who help in anyway.

Halloween Show

Saturday 1st November 2014

10.30am    Show Jumping – Cross poles, 40cm, 60cms (no spreads) in grass arena (weather dependent) £5

10.30am    Show Jumping – 75cms, 90cms, 1.0m, 1.1m with speed rounds in main sand arena £5

11.30am    Family Pony (assisted and unassisted) in WalledGarden £5

12.00pm Young handler class: judged on the handler’s ability to   show their pony in hand and carry out simple tasks such as pick up a hoof and lead round a set course if required. Hard hats and suitable foot wear must also be worn. Turn out of the handler and pony forms part of the judging.  Grass Arena £5

1.00pm      Mounted Games in Playpen £3

1.30pm   Top Score Show Jumping Competition in main sand arena in between the other show jumping classes – This is a really fun class whereby a rider a certain length of time to jump as many fences as possible. Each fence has a score and it is up to the rider to get the highest score within the time allocated.  £5

2.00pm      Fun Dog Show – prizes awards for the waggiest tale, the best behaved, the prettiest pooch, the most handsome and the cleverest etc, in Playpen £3

2.30pm      Fancy Dress Parade in Grass Arena £3 (special adult prize!)

This show is open to everyone – young and old all very welcome, whether Pony Club members or not!

All enquires to Áine 07859919795 or Georgina 07746637671

Laoise O’Farrell, winner of the 1m Pony Working Hunter and Beth Cunningham winner of the 1m Horse Working Hunter with judge Phillipa Auret.

A huge thank you to The Equestrian Store for such generous sponsorship of the Silver Show on 4th October, so many children went home after a wonderful day in the autumn sunshine clutching bags full of goodies.

This year we has three rings in operation, a working-hunter ring,  equitation jumping up to 70cm, and show-jumping from 75cm to 1m 10. The lead rein/starter stakes was won by Kaitlynn Kearns on Joe, immaculately turned out, just ahead of Niamh McClory on Indiana Jones. For many children  it was their first time doing a working-hunter class, and the judge Phillipa Auret steered them through the class and gave all competitors many useful tips. Sadie McMahon with a broad grin was the winner of the 75cm class, just ahead of Poppy Moore. The 85cm class had a clear winner in Hannah Rafferty who gave a very polished performance, with Corey Tennyson close behind and the winner of the horse section. The 1M class provided the judge with a difficult decision but the final winner was Laoise O’Farrell just ahead of Hannah Rafferty, and the horse section was won by Beth Cunningham much to the delight of her large support team.

Rachel Brown winner of 1.0m and 1.1m with Anne Kerr

The equitation jumping, judged by Vanne Campbell, provided some excellent jumping. The 40cm class won by Ruby McGinn,  just ahead of Kaitlyn Kearns. Ally Haire on his young pony Dusty showed everyone how to ride, winning not only the 50cm class but the 60cm class too. A combination for the future, watch out! The 70cm class was timed and the clear winner here was Sam McElroy on Belmont Toby, arriving straight from the rugby pitch.

The 75cm class, incorporating a Junior Dengie qualifier, attracted an entry of 25, and ended up with an exciting jump-off,  all the competitors being  given the chance to practice the jump-off, and the winner here was Connie Crothers on Albus Dumbledore

Over 20 competitors took part in the 90cm class, also a Winter League Dengie Qualifier, and again the course built by Stephen McAlindon provided several tense moments for the parents! Tara Bertholon took the trophy home with second place going to Alex Lappin who rushed in from the working hunter ring.

In an amazing double Rachel Brown was the winner in both the 1m and 1m10 classes bringing to a close the Iveagh Silver Show 2014.

Grateful thanks to all the parents/helpers who spent Friday in the rain building the courses, Judith McClelland the SJ judge, and those parents who assisted on the day.

Kaitlyn Kearns getting working hunter prize from Sharon McGinn of Equestrian Store

Results: Class1 LeadRein/Starter Stakes Working Hunter; 1^st Kaitlyn Kearns, Joe 2^nd Niamh McClory, Indiana Jones 3^rd Thea Walsh, Hunter 4^th Ali Haire, Dusty 5^th Ruby McGinn, Bandit 6^th Katie Haire, Thunder Baba

Class2 75cm Working Hunter; 1^st Sadie McMahon,Spotty 2^nd Poppy Moore, Totie,3^rd James Hynds, Ginger 4^th Katie McCombe, Bambi  5^th Zoya Robinson, Amazing Jacko 6^th Victoria Lee, Beachmount Breeze

Class3 85cm Working Hunter; 1^st Hannah Rafferty Robe Dream 2^nd Corey Tennyson Billy’s Boy,3^rd Rachael Patterson 4^th   Kathleen McCormac, Tara 5^th Rachael Taylor, Roxie

Best Horse: Corey Tennyson, Billy’s Boy

Class 4 1M Under 153 Working Hunter 1^st Laoise O’Farrell,  Monlough Meteor 2^nd Hannah Rafferty Robe Dream 3^rd Hannah Chambers, Pumpkin  4^th Jasmine Crothers Prince Aragog’s Spirit

Class 4b 1M Horse Working Hunter 1^st Beth Cunningham, Dream Debut 2^nd Gemma Chambers, Crisp

Class 5 40cm: 1^st Ruby McGinn, Bandit 2^nd Kaitlyn Kearns, Joe 3^rd Sophie Cummings, Minstrel 4^th Sophia Madley, Jack Doran

Class 6 50cm: 1^st Ally Haire, Dusty 2^nd Craig Carson,  Knockans Treacle 3^rd Niamh McClory, Indiana Jones 4^th Shannon Matthews, Minstrel 5^th Katie Haire, Thunder Baba 6^th Molly Davidson, Harry

Class 7 60cm: 1^st Ally Haire, Dusty 2^nd Katie Haire, Thunder Baba 3^rd Sam McElroy, Belmont Toby 4^th Craig Carson, Knockan’s Treacle 5^th Molly Davidson, Harry 6^th Shannon Matthews, Minstrel

Class 7b 70cm: 1^st Sam McElroy, Belmont Toby 2^nd Zoya Robinson, Amazing Jacko 3^rd Shannon Matthews, Minstrel 4^th Thea Walsh, Hunter 5^th Anna-Rose Tennyson, Lucky

Class 8 75cm: 1^st Connie Crothers, Albus Dumbledore 2^nd Katie McCombe, Bambi 3^rd Ally Haire, Thunder Baba 4^th Finn Osborne, Daz 5^th Ryan Boville, Toffee 6^th Rory Osborne, Socky

Class 9 90cm:1^st Tara Bertholon, Vava Boom 2nd Alex Lappin,Rio 3^rd Lucy Morton, Princess 4^th Herbie Purce, Seapatrick Hamish 5^th Rachel Chapman, Pippa 6^th = Laoise O’Farrell, Monlough Meteor & Hannah Chambers, Pumpkin

Class 10 1M: 1^st Rachel Brown, Elmo 2^nd Rachel Chapman, Pippa 3^rd Kathryn Morton TWR

Class 11 1.10M 1^st Rachel Brown, Elmo 2^nd Rachel Chapman, Duffy

The four day Championships enjoyed some sun, a good few showers, but mainly equestrian sporting action across the three Olympic disciplines of Show Jumping, Dressage, Eventing as well as Mounted Games, Polocrosse, Centre Equitation, Musical Ride, Horse and Pony Care and Endurance.

Highlights at Open Team level included Killultagh Old Rock & Chichester Harriers, who enjoyed some fantastic results across the whole Championships, taking the top spot in the both Virbac 3D Worming Show Jumping and the NAF Superflex Dressage; as the Flint and Denbigh stormed home with the highly coveted Stonar Eventing Open Team title.

Rachel Coulter, from the East Antrim, made the long journey more than worthwhile taking the win in the NAF Superflex Open Individual Dressage Championship with Gorsehill Maya; Rachel was also selected to be a part of The Pony Club’s Rider Development Pathway squad earlier in the year. Bethany Shipley, from the Middleton Hunt, produced three faultless rounds and was a full second clear of the competition to take the honours in the Virbac 3D Worming Open Individual Show Jumping, riding Coedfryn Top Notch.

In the Equi-Trek Mounted Games the Oakley Hunt West took the Junior championship win, whilst the Senior Games, offering two finals slots for the Prince Philip Cup finals, saw the Sir Watkin William Wynn’s and the West Hants Branches securing their places for the final at Horse of the Year Show in October. The Mounted Games also welcomed teams from USA Canada and Australia as the finale to the 2014 International Exchange, providing colour, sport and the chance for Members to forge friendships overseas.

The Musical Ride competition, supported by NAF Magic, yet again produced some incredible displays of ridden choreography and costume; with the West Lancashire reclaiming the coveted title with their ‘Super Steeds’ ride depicting different super heroes including Batman, Robin and Mr Incredible; the Branch previously won the trophy in 2012.

In the Windsor Equine Centre Equitation, Foxes Riding School produced a clear 10 point lead to secure the team top spot, and the North Warwickshire battled their way to the top to claim the Maldon Championship in the NFU Mutual Polocrosse final.

Pony Club Endurance also enjoyed the Championship’s with those taking part enjoying a fantastic scenic route around the grounds of Cholmondeley Castle and surrounding area at Novice, Intermediate and Open levels. Old Surrey & Burstow’s Novice Team enjoyed success over the shorter distance Novice competition, whilst Bedale & West of Yore retained their title on the longer Open route.

Focussing on the horse care aspect, the Blue Cross Horse and Pony Care competition yet again produced some excellent displays of knowledge from 40 teams, with the Chipping Branch retaining their title for an amazing third year by a considerable margin, and the Old Berkshire Hunt kept up the pressure in the Junior section which was tight at the top.

Pony Club Mentoring, supported by NFU Mutual, made a welcome return after being introduced to The Championships in 2013, and catered for all disciplines involved. On hand throughout the Championships in their distinctive jackets courtesy of Matchmakers International, Mentors chatted to hundreds of competitors, drawing on their experiences and using the mentoring resources to help competitors perform at their best in the electric Championship atmosphere.

“Huge thanks must go to our Championship title sponsors, Weatherbys Private Banking, as well as all our discipline sponsors, including Stonar, Virbac 3D Worming, NAF, NFU Mutual and Equi-Trek for their valued support which allows us to produce this amazing Championship site” commented Mary Tuckett, Chairman of The Pony Club. “As always it has been a pleasure to see our Members excelling in their early careers in their chosen areas of equestrian sport, and Cholmondeley Castle has once again provided us with an incredible backdrop to host the array of competitions across the four days”.

Full results for each of the Championship disciplines can be found HERE