News | 5 August 2024
East Down Branch Success Stories
We have had some super success stories from Area 17 where lots of Members from the East Down Branch have continued to represent Ireland over the last few years. Then continuing their career in various realms of the equestrian industry. We are so proud of their achievements and we love to hear about all of our Members successes and adventures. Here are some of their success stories.
Toni Quail
Toni was selected for the Irish Junior Team in 2016 and the Young Rider Team in 2018. Toni also won the Pony Club Championships Horsemanship awards for the Show Jumping.
Toni has continued her equestrian career by becoming a Jockey. What an amazing achievement and a showcase of how different equestrian disciplines at Pony Club level can set you up for a variety of riding careers.
Ben Rowlatt-McCormick
Ben was the Irish Junior Team Reserve in 2017 on a homebred horse. Ben also won the Eventing Horsemanship Award at the Pony Club Open Championships. Ben has carried his fantastic horsemanship into his career, as he is now training to be a Vet.
Caoimhe Crozier
Caoimhe also achieved Irish Team success by competing for them on Ponies and earning a Team Bronze in 2021. Just like Ben, Caoimhe is now training to be a Vet.
Tom Rowlatt-McCormick
Tom was chosen to represent Ireland at Junior level in 2021 and 2022 on homebred horses. Tom followed up his 2021 appearance, by achieving Team Silver in 2022. Tom was also someone who had great results at Pony Club level by winning the Horsemanship award at the Pony Club Championships (Intermediate level).
He has continued to compete at an international level in Eventing.
Darragh Hanlon
Darragh also enrolled to represent Team Ireland at Junior level in 2021 as a reserve for the team. Just like Toni, Darragh has continued his riding career as a jockey.
Molly O’Connor
Molly has become a Medalist by winning a Team Bronze at Pony level in 2023. Molly has also continued her riding career by competing at an international level in Eventing.
Ellen Douglas
This year Ellen has been selected for the Irish team (Young Riders 2024). Ellen has brought her lovely mare up through the levels and formed a fantastic partnership.
As you can see these are really fantastic achievements where many of the horses have been home produced and in some cases have bred their eventers. Congratulations to you all on your continued success.
It speaks to the quality of coaching and the background in attending Pony Club Championships and team events are a basis for future International talent in various realms of equestrianism (especially Irish in this case!).
If you have any success stories (no matter how big or small!) about present or past members we would love to hear about them. Please email them to communications@pcuk.org