Press Release by The Irish Pony Society.

The Irish Pony Society’s Summer Championships are returning to Mullingar Equestrian for the first time since 2017 and will run on the 19^th & 20^th of August.

The schedule has evolved greatly since then with the addition of Horse of the Year Show Qualifiers. The Price Family In Hand Supreme offers a great opportunity for Irish breeders and producers to qualify for one of the most prestigious shows of the year in the United Kingdom.  Former winner of this section Connemara Stallion, Manor Duke, with handler Joe Burke went to the final in Birmingham to finish a very credible third.   The show also plays host to a Ridden Connemara Qualifier which will hopefully entice Clifden Competitors to make the stop in Mullingar on their way home with the potential to pick up a golden ticket to HOYS. 

The show hosts a number of finals and championships for Irish Pony Society members including the Pony Supreme Championship, IPS Breeding In Hand Final, 4,5 & 6-Year-Old Supreme and Irish Bred Supreme all with prize funds of over €500. Qualification for The Jim Lilley (Working Hunter), Elite (Show Pony) and Prestige (Show Hunter Pony) is gained by finishing 1^st or 2^nd at an IPS or IPS affiliated show throughout the 2023 season and promises to be a spectacle of our top riders and ponies in Ireland. (Members there is still time to qualify!) Along with a full range of classes its sure to keep IPS members busy across both days.

Other new innovations to the schedule include the addition of a full range of Horse Classes on both days where valuable Showing Ireland & Side Saddle Ireland points can be gained and culminates with the Horse Supreme Championship with a prize pot of €500. 

For those Junior riders who would like to see what the Irish Pony Society is all about, there are a range of Ridden and Working Hunter Pony classes on both days with an Overall Championship in the Sunday evening performance giving an opportunity to ride in an evening performance possibly for the first time.  

Making a return to the schedule are Pony Pairs, Junior Side Saddle and the Inter Area Team Championship which is being run in memory of the late Peter Molloy.

The Grassroots Gazette team will be there in force to capture videos and interviews across the two days.

In addition to the more serious competition there will be an entertainment programme including a Welcome Reception, Fancy Dress and Talent Show on Friday night with music on Saturday evening. With over 180 classes there really is something for everyone. Entries Close on August 12^th at midnight.

Full schedule and entries can be found at Irish Pony Society Shows – Its Plain Sailing Online Payments page events