It was wonderful to see so many younger Isle of Man Pony Club members attending a recent combined training event.

Although entries for the eventing grand prix were down, it didn’t affect the lovely atmosphere at the new Ballacorey Equestrian venue and hopefully all those that attended enjoyed the event.

The heavy rain in the previous days had not been forecast, but helped the ground as the going proved to be pretty good for all the disciplines.

In an eventing grand prix, competitors complete a course of showjumps and then go straight out onto a timed shortened cross-country course. Included in this section are two knock down fences and unfortunately some competitors managed to miss one of these fences which resulted in elimination.

Results: Combined training, lead rein

1, Esme Bond (Nelly); 2, Emilia Lace (Miss Apple); 3, Willow Curphey (Conrhenny Alice Spingz); 4, Darcie Duggan (Llew). Bunnyhop combined training 1, Evie Grayse Cringle-Preston (Bronheulog Alycat); 2, Molly Huxham (Conrhenny Firefly); 3, Grace Quilliam (Moelwyn Hawys); 4, Layla Kennedy (Peaches).

Eventing Grand Prix: PC55 1, Sienna Curphey (Polar Star); 2, Laura Mylchreest (Riverdance); 3, Sienna Curphey (Conrhenny Alice Springz). PC70 junior 1, Grace Wolstencroft (Cornaughty Nell); 2, Francesca Loader (Hocus Pocus). PC70 senior 1, Laura Mylchreest (Riverdance); 2, Gill Corlett (Enbarr Luna Lovegood); 3, Suzanne Cregeen (Sliabh Lan Bobby); 4, Helen Lobb (Zarinda). PC80 junior 1, Grace Wolstencroft (Cornaughty Nell); 2, Isla Caine (Burnbank Aphrodite); 3, Kenzie Steele (Gaulstown Delcan); 4, Francesca Loader (Hocus Pocus). PC80 senior 1, Jess Collister (Roosevelt); 2, Leah Marin- Collier (Minka); 3, Suzanne Cregeen (Sliabh Lan Bobby). PC90 junior 1, Aislinn Lace (Meadow Lark). PC90 senior 1, Isla Curphey (Primitive Viking).

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

Thanks also go to sponsors: Isle of Man Sport, Manx Lottery Trust, Cherry Godfrey, Milan Veterinary, Edgewater Associates, Mylchreests Motors, NFU Mutual, Acclaim Ltd, Hodgkiss Associates and Kellerdale Ltd and the Copy Shop for providing the back numbers.

Additional thanks to Focus It - Bryn Thompson for sorting out the walkie talkies, Becky Venn for judging the dressage and Gill Lewis for writing, Jackie McCubbin and Jo Brackett for judging the showjumping, Mary Callow for timing the cross-country. Jen Crennell for building the showjumping course and collecting on the day, Becka Scott for stewarding the showjumping, Catherine Barham for tack check, Jo Richardson and Ann Dawe for their efficient scoring and all the helpers and fence judges without whose help the club could not run these events.

Special thanks to Emily Shimell for being very brave and standing on the top of the building to provide an excellent commentary.

Special mention also to those companies and people who have helped the club on its journey building this new course: Dam Plant Hire, DC Skips, Ean Parsons, and Robert Lace and Mark Chatel.

A very big thank you goes out to Peter Bond, Aaron and Cheryl Curphey for the hours of hard work they put into preparing this course.

The next events at Andreas open to non-members will be an eventing grand prix on Saturday, July 17 followed by the postponed Horse and Rider one-day event on Sunday, July 25.

For further information visit www.iomponyclub.com