THE CARLING KING PONY LEAGUE GRAND FINAL 2011
SPONSORED BY THE CLOTHES HORSE EQUESTRIAN STORE &
THE WATERFORD/TIPPERARY BRANCH OF SHOWJUMPINGIRELAND
BY BRIAN HENNESSY
The prestigious ‘’Carling King Pony League’’ Grand Final took place on Sunday last 24th July at the annual Waterford & Tipperary branch of ShowjumpingIreland Gymkhana, held at Ballinaclough near Tramore.
Now in its fourth year, the league continues to draw large entries thanks in no small part to the superb sponsorship offered by ‘’The Clothes Horse Equestrian Store’’ Cullencastle Tramore Co Waterford.
Situated just 5 miles from Waterford city and 1 mile from Tramore, ‘The Clothes Horse Equestrian Store’ has proven an invaluable asset to the equestrian community in the South East since its opening in September 2008. They have one of the largest ranges of Horse feeds and supplements in Ireland and are agents for “Kingsland”, “Dubary” and “Tagg” clothing. They also stock the prestigious “Jaguar Equestrian” range from Harry Dabbs and provide an on site Embroidery, Blade Sharpening and Rug washing service.
The Waterford and Tipperary Branch of Show Jumping Ireland also provided support again this year and without the generous contribution of both of these sponsors, leagues of this nature would be impossible to organize.
Close to seventy pony/rider combinations took part in the league’s eight rounds, with just the top thirty then going forward to the Grand Final. With such a high standard of riding displayed by all on the day it was only fitting that each competitor who qualified for the final received a special Carling King Pony League medal for their efforts.
In the second round, which is decided by optimum time, the top 6 partnerships were separated by less than 2 seconds with Kate Lenihan from Bonmahon Co Waterford taking first place with her pony ‘Castle Miller’. Andrea Halley from Villierstown Co Waterford claimed runner up spot aboard ‘Bertie AHS’ just ahead of Cork’s Karyn Collins and ‘Mintfield Rosebud’. Fourth place went to David Jordan with Orla Ryan in fifth and Sadbh Bolger in sixth.
With all six partnerships collecting rugs, trophies and jackets for their efforts, the lap of honour made for a colourful spectacle.
LEADING RIDERS
The 2011 leading rider title was divided between the league’s two most consistent performers who could not be separated having jumped clear at all eight rounds of the league.
Co Cork’s Alanna Buds riding Cheroke Red and David Jordan from Dunmore East riding Fredrico both collected stunning Leading rider trophies and embroidered jackets from the Clothes Horse Equestrian Store.