The Shillelagh and District Hunt Branch of the Irish Pony Club was founded in 1964. It's membership comes from South Wicklow/North Wexford and the north east tip of Carlow.
We are a very friendly and active branch of the Irish Pony Club and currently have about 55 members.
Our Facebook page is updated frequently so please check it out for the latest news. If there is other information our members would like to see on the website or you have photographs of events you attended on behalf of the club, please let us know and we can arrange to update the site.
The Irish Pony Club website is also a great source of current information covering all forthcoming events and information.
We offer our members a range of equestrian activities allowing them to try out whichever discipline they might like ......
Show Jumping is the competitive riding of horses over a set course of fences and obstacles in an arena in which the winner is judged according to ability and speed with penalty points for errors.
A Hunter Trial is a competition to test the ability of the horse and rider to negotiate a course of typical natural fences at a fair hunting pace. It provides members with an opportunity to gain experience and find enjoyment in riding across nearly natural fences.
Dressage Dressage itself is a way of training and riding your horse. Work on the flat, ie dressage, is essential for success in any equestrian discipline. Dressage itself is an Olympic discipline and it is enjoyed all around the world through the various levels with Grand Prix being the highest level that is performed internationally.
Minimus is a 2-day competition consisting of three disciplines, swimming, running and riding.
Points are awarded to competitors for their performance in each discipline. The overall winner is the competitor with the most points after all three disciplines. Minimus works off a positive scoring base, meaning that if you fall of you are not eliminated, instead you are deducted points for each fence remaining on the course to be jumped.
Tetrathlon is a challenging four phase competition requiring practical horsemanship and general athletic ability involving running, riding, swimming and shooting.
Members compete in teams of four and also as individuals. Boys and girls compete separately.
Mounted Games is a team competition that requires courage, determination and all round riding ability from team members in combination with the careful and systematic training of their ponies. Teams consist of five members participating in a variety of games where speed and breath-taking accuracy are the norm.
Combined Training consists of a Dressage Test (in a 40m arena) followed by a Showjumping course (around 13 jumping efforts, including a double and related distance).
The aim of Combined Training is to help the participant develop confidence in their partnership with their pony.
Musical Ride is a group of riders performing a series of movements to music. Teams consist of between 4 and 20 members and all riders must be over the age of 6 on the 1st of January of the current year. Any size of horse or pony may participate, once they can be safely controlled by their rider.
Eventing is one of the Olympic equestrian sports. It consists of three disciplines – dressage, show jumping and cross country. The dressage phase is always completed first, followed by show jumping and cross country, in either order.
The same horse and rider combination must complete all three phases.
All Pony Club tests are optional but members are encouraged to progress through them during their time in the Shillelagh Pony Club. There is a minimum age at which each test may be taken. Your D.C., with advice from an instructor, will advise you when you have reached the standard for a particular test once you are the minimum age.
You may not take part in any activities unless you have renewed your membership, which can be done online. For new membership queries etc. please contact our Secretary or D.C.
If you would like to contact the club via e-mail
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