Congratulations to everyone who participated, competed and volunteered at the Irish Pony Club National Dressage 2018.

Feedback is essential following an event to support and inform the reflection and evaluation of an event by the organisers. 

On completion of the Dressage Ride Off, the Musical Ride competition will take place in Sand Arena 1 at 4.00 pm on Friday 27th July.

Well done to the Irish Pony Club riders who competed in the Combined Training at the Dublin Horse Show. It was a challenging competition which attracted great support! 

The Kildare Hunt Branch Novice ODE will take place on Saturday 15th September in Punchestown.

Pentathlon Ireland are delighted to be hosting the UIPM Laser Run World Championships on the weekend of Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th September in Trinity College, Dublin. This is the 4th time that these innovative championships are being held and over 400 athletes from 22 nations will be involved so we are expecting a great weekend of competitions.

The Mackey Irish Pony Club National Hunter Trial Championships are all set for Saturday 22nd September 2018 in Moorefield Kennels, Moorefield, Old Ross, Co. Wexford, Y35 AY72.

Congratulations to everyone who competed and participated at the Mackey National Hunter Trial Championships on Saturday in Moorefield Kennels.

The Annual Irish Pony Club Family Fun Day and Race Day at Naas Racecourse will take place on Sunday 30th September.  Naas Racecourse have a super day planned, packed full of activities for all the family.

2018 has been a busy year full of Irish Pony Club activities.  One of the highlights of the calendar for ten lucky applicants is the Jockey Skills Training Course at RACE.

On Friday and Saturday, September 7th and 8th, ten Irish Pony Club members travelled to RACE in the Curragh to participate in the Jockey Skills Training Course, Leah Rumble, Tipperary Hunt Branch, Tom Hayden, Tipperary Hunt Branch, Erin Dunseath, Wexford Hunt Branch, Elizabeth Wallace, Co. Limerick Hunt Branch, Lauren Doyle, Laois Hunt Branch, Patrick Sheeran, Laois Hunt Branch, Katie Donlon, Westmeath Hunt Branch, Niamh Flinter, Kildare Hunt Branch, Aoibhe Long, Meath Hunt Branch and Kate Mulligan, Galway Mid County Branch.

As we approach the final presentation for the 2018 Jockey Skills Training Course participants at Naas Raacecourse on Sunday 30th, Katie Donlon from Westmeath Hunt Branch has written an excellent report reflecting on her experience at RACE.

"For someone who had no experience of racing and race horses whatsoever I found the Jockey Skills course at RACE excellent.  On arrival I was given my name badge and shown to my room.  Ehe room and shower facilities were excellent.  The canteen offered a great variety of food with information on a balanced diet.  At RACE all the staff were very friendly and helpful.  Over the two days I got to try lots of new things and I learned a lot.  The first thing we got to do was ride one of the thoroughbreds in the indoor arena and we were coached by the instructors.  This was a good opportunity to get used to the horses and the racing saddles before going out on the gallops.  Next we went on the racing simulators where we were coached on our positions on the horses and this was great fun.  We also got to have a PE session in the gym which gave us an idea of the level of fitness needed to be a jockey.  After going out on the gallops we got to see a video of ourselves out on the gallops and we were given feedback by one of the coaches.  I also learned a lot about how to eat well at the nutritional session.  Overall I really enjoyed the skills course at RACE and I would recommend it to anyone considering becoming a jockey.  I would like to thank all involved for afforded me the experience."

Thank you to Katie, for submitting this report.  Well done!  Congratulations to all of the particpants who completed the course.  The staff at RACE reported that the group were a pleasure to host and they represented themselves, their families and the Irish Pony Club exceptionally well.  Have a great day at Naas Racecourse on Sunday. 

Kildare Hunt Branch will hold a Halloween Show on Sunday 28th October 2018 in Coilóg Equestrian Centre.  This show is open to all members of the Irish Pony Club.

The International Mounted Games Competition proved to be another great success in 2018.  Despite the terrible weather conditions, large numbers tavelled to Punchestown to compete.   One of those who made the journey to Punchestown was Cayli Herbert from Wales.  Cayli has kindly written a wonderful report, recounting her experiences from the trip.  It is an excellent read.  

"Being selected to represent your country with your pony is the dream I had since starting games.  I can remember my mum / trainer saying one day you will be in Windsor doing games.  I at that time didn’t realize you got to go to Ireland to compete as well.  I’m very fortunate to have experienced Windsor twice once as reserve and once in the team. They were both amazing experiences.  To ride in front of the Queen in such a fantastic arena will stay with me for ever but it is also a very busy week with early feeding and late riding, so early nights.  During the week in Windsor you make friends with the other teams and when you leave Windsor you leave with memories and at least twenty nine new friendships.

The final competition in Ireland to finish off the amazing Welsh team experience is the perfect way to end the pony club year.  It is a chance to meet friends from Windsor, to compete in a relaxed atmosphere, not that the competition is any less fierce but the hospitality and camaraderie is always outstanding.  The Irish not only welcomed us but provided brilliant ponies for us to ride this year.  Due to the unsafe weather conditions most of the Welsh team ponies could not be transported over seas to Ireland, so the Irish without a second thought stepped up and thoughtfully gave us ponies to borrow.  Both times I have been to the competition in Ireland something for the Welsh team has not gone according to plan.  Even simple things like leaving boots sitting by the front door at home, but both times the Irish Pony Club Mounted Games committee and all the Irish Branches have been more than helpful.  I have got to do a shout out to my wonderful trainers who kept us laughing and motivated, while storms on both trips tried to make the journey more challenging.   A massive thank you to Sharon and Lauren Boyce for helping us go with the flow.  The whole weekend was wonderful from the quiz on the Friday, to the social on the Saturday where everyone got together for food and a singsong, where the teams merged into one voice (not all Welsh can sing, so not necessarily an in tune voice lol).  I’m sure I’ve made friends for life and the company is extravagant!
Thank you to everyone who makes the show possible." Cayli Herbert and Choci

Thank you Cayli.  Well done!