The Isle of Man branch of the Pony Club recently held an eventing grand prix at Oatlands.

It was touch and go as to whether the event would go ahead as the forecast was grim and changing by the minute.

But the club decided to go ahead as this was the very last event to be staged at Oatlands - with kind permission of the Shacklock family - which has been an amazing venue for the Pony Club over the last 12 years.

The rain did come in but not as heavy as predicted and it didn’t seem to dampen anyone’s enthusiasm for this fun event which involves jumping a course of show jumps and then going straight out onto the cross-country course to complete a shortened round.

It is so encouraging to see the improvement in the competitors over the season, with lots of younger members stepping up and tackling the next level.

Results: Class 1 PC70 Junior 1, Sophie Bateson (Red); 2, Lindsay Collister (Conrhenny Jellybaby); 3, Jemima Mylchreest (Conrhenny Golden Premier); 4, Emma Parsons (Heathway Pandora. Class 2 PC 70 Senior 1, Georgina Moore (Fireblaze); 2, Laura Jennings (Glanvyrnwy Desert Storm); 3, Lindsey Hotchkiss (Dowdstown Emerald); 4, Jo Ralston (Crabbiesden Keltic Magic). Class 3 PC 80 Junior 1, Lindsay Collister (Benaughlin Rambo); 2, Lauren Batty (Classic Felix); 3, Frankie Cullen Thornfield Popcorn); 4, Isla Caine (Burnbank Aphrodite). Class 4 PC 80 Senior 1, Michael Cannell (Treacle); 2, Alison Callister (Cecelia’s Kompany); 3, Jade Fyfe (Steely Spirit); 4, Lindsey Hotchkiss (Dowdstown Emerald). Class 5 PC 90 Junior 1, Lola Bea Bryce (Eragon Von Der Held); 2, Lauren Batty (Classic Felix); 3, Lola Bass (William); 4, George Hotchkiss (Greystones Pilgrim). Class 6 PC 90 Senior 1, Laura Jennings (Fuego De Mi Corazon 2, Alison Callister (Cecelia’s Kompany);3, C;aire Jackson (Riffeylands Playboy); 4, Sammie Cattle (Melbourne Secret Settlement). Class 7 (PC 100 Junior 1, Lola Bea-Bryce (Eragon Von Der Held); 2, George Hotchkiss (Greystones Pilgrim); 3, Lucy Pasrons (Sheer Diamond); 4, Lola Bass (Mac). Class 9 (PC 110 Junior 1, Lucy Parsons (Sheer Diamond); 2, Lola Bass (William). Class 10 PC 110 Senior 1, Sammy Cattle (Rockmount Kallie); 2, Melbourne Secret Settlement.

The Pony Club would like to thank the Shacklock family for the use of the land and for being very helpful and cooperative landlords over the years.

Also thanks to the Copy Shop for providing the back number and P.J. Pemberton - Tree Surgery for providing the greenery for the fences.

Further thanks to showjumping judge Jane Dawson and course builder, designer and steward Jen Crennell, Mary Callow and Amy Heap for timing the cross-country, Dolores Osborn for tack check, Ann Dawe for scoring and all the helpers and fence judges.

For further information visit www.iomponyclub.com

ALICE CORRIN