Following Isle of Man Pony Club’s recent annual prize presentation, attention then switched to Ballacorey Equestrian Centre for its inaugural hunter trial.

Riders had a chance to walk the course on the Saturday when they would have noted how lucky riders are to have another beautiful location available. Pouring rain didn’t dampen the mood on the Sunday, with around 100 entrants taking part in the event.

Classes were junior 55cm, pairs 70cm and 80cm, junior/senior 70cm, 80cm and 90cm, senior 100cm. Most of these were well-subscribed, with the placings determined by minimum and optimum time.

The new course certainly did have its challenges with a few ’spooks’ as the rain continued to pour throughout the day.

In the junior 55cm, Francesca Loader (Pocus Pocus) came out on top, beating the double challenge from Sienna Curphey on Conrhenny Alice Springz in second and Polar Star in third.

The 70cm pairs saw Ian Caley (Gertie) and Lauren Kirk (Cynheidrefawr Dynamic Duke) register pole position.

In the junior class, Jemima Mylchreest (Golden Conrhenny Premier) 70cm; Emma Parsons (Heathway Pandora) 80cm and Amelia Hotchkiss (Dowdstown Emerald) all finished top within some highly-competitive classes.

Gill Corlett (Enbarr Luna Lovegood) and Cheryl Curphey (Homatanga) topped the 70cm and 80 cm seniors classes respectively.

Lindsay Hotchkiss (King of Quality) completed a family double by securing pole position in the 90cm, while Lucy Corlett (Escaday) continued with the Corlett family success on the local equine scene by winning the 100cm.

Pony Club would like to thank the Morrey family (Robert, Catriona, Sam and Charlie) of Ballacorey Equestrian for use of the land and all their help and co-operation building this track.

It also thanks its sponsors: Isle of Man Sport, Manx Lottery Trust, Cherry Godfrey, Milan Veterinary, Edgewater Associates, Mylchreests Motors, NFU Mutual, Acclaim Ltd, Hodgkiss Associates, Lavin Agri Services, Kellerdale Ltd, Copy Shop for providing the back numbers, Focus It and Bryn Thompson for sorting out the walkie talkies.

The clubs is grateful to everyone who helps with the events: Mary and Laura Callow for starting, Jen Crennell for collecting, Dolores for tack check, Jo Richardson and Anne Dawe for their efficiency and accurate scoring in incredibly quick time, Amy and Hatty for help with promoting the event and taking photographs, plus all the helpers and fence judges, without whom these events could not be run.

Special mention to the companies and people who helped build the new course: namely Dam Plant Hire, DC Skips, Ean Parsons and Robert Lace and Mark Chatel

The next open Pony Club event at Ballacorey will be the Horse and Rider Spring One-Day on Saturday, June 26.

Results: Class one, 55cm 1, Francesca Loader (Hocus Pocus); 2, Sienna Curphey (Conrhenny Alice Springz); 3, Sienna Curphey (Polar Star); 4, Victoria Thompson (Samwyl Bushwaka). Class two, PC 70 pairs 1, Ian Caley (Gertie) and Lauren Kirk (Cynheidrefawr Drynamic Duke); 2=,Lindsay Collister (Benlaughlin Rambo) and Jemima Mylchreest (Conrhenny Golden Premier), Sam /Grace Wolstencroft (Cornaughy Nell and Isla Caine (Burnbank Aphrodite); 4, Freya Cullen (Alfie) and Charlie Morrey (Flipper). Class three, PC 70 junior 1, Jemima Mylchreest (Conrhenny Golden Premier); 2, Emma Parsons (Heathway Pandora); 3, Francesca Loader (Hocus Pocus); 4, Milly Duncan (Timmy). Class four, PC 70 senior 1, Gill Corlett (Enbarr Luna Lovegood); 2, Siobhan Maginn (Tinka Tayla); 3, Laura Mylchreest (Sam); 4, Niamh Danaher (Declan). Class five, PC 80 pairs 1, Tommy Bass (Mac )and Lola Bass (William). Class six, PC 80 junior 1, Emma Parsons (Heathway Pandora); 2, Caitlin Hughes (Deep Blue); 3, Gypsy Mae Quirk (Cong Barracuda); 4, Isla Caine (Burnbank Aphrodite). Class seven, PC 80 senior 1, Cheryl Curphey (Homa Tanga); 2, Michaela Cannell (Treacle); 3, Lindsey Hotchkiss (King of Quality); 4, Bryn Thompson (Fine Resolve). Class eight, PC 90 junior 1, Amelia Hotchkiss (Dowdstown Emerald); 2, Freya Cowie (Call Me Russell); 3, Amelia Easthope (Good to Go); 4, George Hotchkiss (Greystones Pilgrim). Class nine PC 90 senior 1, Lindsey Hotchkiss (King of Quality); 2, Abby Corlett (Blue River); 3, Laura Jennings (Fuego De Mi Corazon); 4, Joanna Priest (Mr Toby). Class 10 PC 100

1, Lucy Corlett (Escaday); 2, Sammy Cattle (Melbourne Secret Settlement); 3, Lucy Parsons (Sheer Diamond); 4, Tiger France (Hanleen Sparks Fly).

PAUL HATTON AND AMY ROTHWELL