Published: Wednesday, 5th November, 2008 9:10am

Charities benefit from Rathnally Pony Races

by John Donohoe

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Presentations were made recently to the charities that benefited from the 2008 Trim Pony Races at Rathnally, held in September.

It was the heritage town"s second time to host the meeting on the banks of the Boyne, on the lands of Johnny Higgins at Rathnally, as the Midlands Horse and Pony Racing Association"s (MHPRA) 2008 season came to a damp but successful conclusion.

Mary O"Connor is secretary of the MHPRA, and is delighted with the success of the Trim venue over the last couple of years.

'We try to have around 20 meetings across the region between April and September,' she explained. 'A lot of our committee are based around Ballinasloe, and once the horse fair starts there in October, they are tied up in that. Then, the point to points start.'

The region covered by the midlands association stretches from Meath over to Elphin, Boyle and Castlerea in Roscommon, and down as far as Lisdoonvarna where it meets the southern region, as well as back up to the northern border.

'We"re looking at the possibility of two new meetings next year,' Mary said. 'One in Granard in Longford, and possibly in Drogheda in Louth as well.'

And there are flapper races on the beaches, such as Lacken Strand in Mayo, Strandhill in Sligo and Omi in Galway, and on beach-like sand ground in Ballyconneely in Galway. 'They"re always great meetings, on the sand,' Mary said.

The association looks for local committees to locate a venue, and to raise the prize money, and select local charities to benefit from proceeds. It provides an opportunity for youngsters who are involved in ponies and horses to have an outlet for their racing ambitions.

In the local races, youngsters from aged nine up to 11 take part on their ponies, and the jockeys registered with the association would be from 11 up to 17 or 18. The local races are run as a way of creating an interest among younger children who may go on to register and take it more seriously in the following years.

The midlands association has around 125 registered riders, including a few new ones from the Trim meeting. Young jockeys making a name for themselves in the midlands region at present include Ronan Whelan, Colin Keane, son of Trim trainer Gerry, Daniel Benson, Kevin Sexton, Eric Hyland, son of Jimmy, Emma Jones, JJ Slevin, Mark Power, Mark Monaghan and Megan Carberry, a member of a branch of the well-known racing family.

And in the spirit of the Nun Run, there was a charity fancy dress race for local cobs. Joey Murray came home first in this mile race, followed by Jimmy Hyland, Mattie Lynch and Joe Keane, back on horseback for the first time in five years. Charities benefiting included the Trim Meals on Wheels, the Friends of St Joseph"s Hospital, and Meath Palliative Care.