West Waterford Hunt Branch of the Irish Pony Club

Mrs Alison Trigg, Tourtane House, Lismore, and Capt. Tom Morgan, Monatrim, Lismore formed a branch of the Irish Pony Club in West Waterford, in 1969. It was formed under the umbrella of West Waterford Hunt. The first District Commissioner was Capt. Tom Morgan, while Mrs Alison Trigg was Secretary and Treasurer combined. Other DCs through the years were Mrs Mary Roch-Perks, Monatrea, Mrs Alison Trigg, Tourtane, Lismore, and the late Mrs Phyllis Mitchell Fortwilliam, Lismore. In the early years Mrs Mitchell was President.

Membership in the early 1970s consisted mainly of boys; the first girl members were Laura Roch-Perks now Griffiths, Monatrea Youghal and Christine Ledingham, Ticknock, Clashmore. The Ledingham family were very active members. John Ledingham went from his pony club days to join the Irish Army Equation School; here he excelled in Show jumping. He took part in numerous international and national competitions including Nation Cups, his more recent horse being Kilbaha.

In the earlier years club rallies were held mainly during the summer months, summer camp was mainly held at Roch- Perks’ farm, Monatrea, Youghal. The club flourished for approximately 16 years. Then membership dropped over the next couple of years to an all time low. There was no club for approximately 2 years in the late 1980s.

In 1989 West Waterford Pony Club was reformed by the late Mrs Jane Magner (Wingfield), Monatrim, Lismore, and Mrs Alison Trigg, Tourtane, Lismore. The first meeting was held in Clashmore. Mrs Alison Trigg was elected DC, followed through the years by Mrs Julia Keane, Cappoquin, Christine Ledingham, Ticknock, Clashmore, Mrs Primrose Sands, Flowerhill, Ballyduff, Mrs Joan Vaughan, Ballyglassin, Killeagh, Mrs Joan Dahill, Glencairn, Lismore, Mrs Marie Hennessy, Ballinascarta, Midleton, Mr Maurice Smiddy, Carrigtwohill, and Mr Tom Gillespie, Midleton the present DC.

Membership in the early years rose to 60, but by the year 98/99 dropped to approximately 6. The then committee took action and canvassing for new members began. Today we have over 90 active members. Summer camp is held in Fortwilliam Estate, Glencairn, kindly lent to us by its present owner Mrs Agnew. Rallies are held from early spring to late September. The members take part in Hunter Trials, Horse Trials, Minimus & Tetrathlon, Dressage, Show jumping, Cross Country, and Games.