Super success for Shillelagh riders
SHILLELAGH PONY CLUB had a memorable time at the Dublin Horse Show in the RDS over the weekend as the club’s five-strong pony show jumping team came away with a victory in their senior category.
The Shillelagh team was made up of Jack Nolan, Rob Jackson, Zach Furlong, Jamie Doyle and Molly Kinsella and all five of the competitors put in a magnificent display to blow away the rest of the field and win by a record margin of 28 points.
The team was coached by Wicklow man John Driver and staved off some stiff competition from around the country with five other teams in the section including sides from Monaghan, Wexford and Laois.
The athletes are all aged between 13 and 15 and the future certainly looks bright for Shillelagh in the event with Furlong, Kinsella and Jackson still eligible for the age grade next year.
The team trains twice a week at Shillelagh pony club and carried very good from into the event with wins around the region, picking up first place finishes at Gorey, The Charleville County Show, Stradbally and at the Tinahely Show on the recent August Bank Holiday weekend.
It was not the first time the club has won the event but it was by far the biggest winning margin it has ever achieved which is testament to the talent and dedication shown by all five competitors and their coaches.
The competition was run over two days with the team staying in the Clayton Hotel, Leopardstown on the Saturday night and all in all it was a hugely enjoyable weekend for all involved.
An honourable mention must also go to Warren Furlong, parent of competitor Zach, who did a rousing job as commentator for the event over the two days.
It surely won’t be the last we’ll hear of these five-star athletes who look set to have great careers ahead of them both in and out of the saddle.