*COMPETITION* Calling all young horse and pony enthusiasts! Would you like to write for The Irish Field? Why not practice your writing skills while we are all staying at home. Details below...
We will pick a winner in each of the three categories (ages 5-7, 8-10 and 11-13) and publish the winner’s story in the paper, as well as sending out The Irish Field merchandise.
The deadline for entries is Monday, May 11th. Articles are limited to 400 words. Drawings or pictures can accompany your article.
Please send your entry to horseworld@theirishfield.ie with ‘Editorial competition’ in the subject line, and include your name, age, address and a contact number.
Good luck! ... See more

*Saturday 2nd May @ 11:00am*

Brendan will be doing a short talk about how horses learn called ‘horses hate surprise parties! Available to anyone whose interested on Facebook Live via the Bergin Equine Facebook page. ... See more

❗️Postponement Announcement
The Irish Pony Club Tetrathlon Committee have made the difficult decision to postpone and provisionally reschedule the 2020 National Minimus Championships.

In light of the current situation surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, the committee feel that this is the best decision for members and their families.

Provisionally, the Tetrathlon committee are seeking to re-schedule the championship for Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October 2020. Further information regarding this championship will be published once it becomes available. In the interim, please stay safe and continue to adhere to the Department of Health guidelines, so that in time we can return to some form of normality.

Please share this message with all members of your Branch. ... See more

➡️Irish Pony Club Update – Executive Chairman, Michael Essame

These are strange and challenging times that we are living in at the moment. Thank you to everyone who is listening to and adhering to the guidelines and restrictions set out by the Government. Remember, we are all in this together and acting as one we can overcome this virus. Remain positive and support each other where you can.👏

Based on the latest guidelines announced by the Government, the Irish Pony Club office is closed until the 5th of May. Irish Pony Club staff are working from home and may be contacted at jane@irishponyclub.ie or tara@irishponyclub.ie. Staff will endeavour to answer all questions and queries as soon as possible. However, limited access to Irish Pony Club resources may cause some minor delays. I would ask for your patience as we negotiate these new working arrangements.

I would like to take this opportunity to assure you that the Irish Pony Club Executive Committee and Discipline Committees are closely monitoring all of the guidelines and recommendations announced by the Department of Health. At the moment, it is difficult to make decisions. However, when the picture and the situation become clearer in May, these committees will update all members with plans for Branches, competitions and championships. These committees are also considering tentative plans for holding competitions and championships later in the year. All plans will be clarified once more information becomes available.
As you may have guessed, any return to group gatherings and pony club activities will be gradual. It will require careful planning and further adherence to Department of Health recommendations. The Irish Pony Club will make every effort to guide Branches through this process when the time is right.

Tony Ennis, the Irish Pony Club Chairman of Training is working to create lesson plan suggestions for members to support them during this period. Tony in partnership with the Irish Pony Club office staff are constantly trying to identify resources that can provide activities and assistance for members and their families. These resources can be accessed on both the Irish Pony Club website and Facebook pages.

I understand that all of these changes are very disappointing to you and everyone in the pony club, especially as we were all looking forward to a great summer of competition and fun.
You are making a difference by keeping your distance, washing your hands and following coughing etiquette. Stay active, exercise yourself and your pony safely, stay out of harm’s way and look out for one another.

Michael Essame, Irish Pony Club Executive Chairman ... See more

Coronavirus Covid-19 - Summary of Postponed and Cancelled Events The following is a summary of the recent postponements and cancellations.  This is not an extensive list but it contains information relating to Irish Pony Club members.  This list will be updated regularly as the  Department of Hea... ... See more