Mission Statement
The Irish Pony club endeavors to promote and encourage Horsemanship, learning, Sportsmanship, Citizenship, loyalty, in a safe and fun atmosphere,for all its members and volunteers

Musical Ride at this years camp

Camp 2009

PONY CLUB MEMBERS FORUM BOARD

  SECRETARY Mareianne @ 0879700236    DC  Kay @0863005326

SAOIRSE SADDLERY
BALLINSLOE           TEL. 090 9644811
pegus horse feed
STABLE MIX 12% €7.00
COOL MIX €7.70
14% €8.20
OATS €5.00

This is 5th year for the South Westmeath Pony Club to participate at  Minimus which is a National Championship competition for under 12's, who ride Cross Country, Swim and Run against teams from every county in Ireland. This year 490 competitors took part a Gowran just outside Kilkenny
 The Sw pony club had 11 members which made up 2 Girls team and one Boys team.

After several months of preparation the day had finally come. Our gang all parked at the top of the field looking down on a sea of horse boxes and trucks. As I joined them at 10.30 and found every parent and sibling  busy around  a pony, it has like Lawlors Hair Salon on pension day.  Red and Gold ribbon gleaming in the sun, every tail & mane platted, Diamonds along the sleeve and gold tassels in the hat, sewn in the night before by our own DC and all under the watchful eye of Deirdre Lowe from our costume department.
Sophie Downey and her parents came down to lend a supporting hand and was busy with one pony having experienced the presure of Minimus  last year herself.
The first team out was Emma Kennedy, Sophie Lowe, Maeve Cuffe and Rachel Hanley. Myles shouted started orders and the first team mounted up, a quick pose for photos, leaving the parents behind Myles -

 takes the team the full length of the field to the tack inspection. They paraded side by side like a military machine. Heads were popping out horse boxes, people stopped what they were doing to take a look " what club are they from they like brilliant"
The Judges stood back for a second look, you knew from their faces that this was the standard they were looking for and  all others would be judged .
Emma and sophie both had a clear round , Maeve went our with determination but sadly parted from her horse early in the competition. The pressure was on Rachel for a clear round but picked up  points on a drop down fence and a quick pop over a cottage which was part of an AB combination. On the Sunday the team passed their personal best in swimming and running to end over all on Sunday night in 10th place and first place for "tack and turn out"
The second girls team received the same attention from all that looked on .  Sara O'Roarke, Cortney Cleary, picking up points but did very well . With louise Kennedy on Paddy getting a clear round .
The Boys team again getting the attention from other clubs for tack & Turn out, who was Brendan
Mc keown, Andrew Kennedy  and Patrick Quigley who picked up 2 clears for the team. All our teams in my opinion stood out from the crowd and should have walked away with all the tack and turnout prizes going but we will settle for one this year .

Minimus Teams win "Tack and Turnout" at this years
 National Championshipin Kilkenny 2010

Horse & pony Clinic
In aid of temple Street Children's Hospital
June 25th at 7pm
Auburn Equestrian Centre
A night with international groom & judge David McCormack and steve Davis, Patrick McGuire veterinary Surgeon, Ex-international army Equitation groom Marie ann Hynes, International horse dealer Jim Derwin, Ex Army Equitation show Jumper Lt. Stephen McGuire and special guest apperance by current international army equitation show jumper Capt. david O'Brien & many more

For tickets & information please contact Jennifer Mcguire on 087 4147783
Adultts € 10  kids €5

Link to Minimus 2010 Pictures from Colm Cuffe