The Fermanagh Harriers Branch of The Pony Club has made its mark in Pony Club Triathlon.
The Pony Club in Northern Ireland runs two Winter Triathlon Qualifier Events, which consists of running, swimming and target shooting, to find the top two competitors in each age category to represent NI at the UK Finals to be held in Milton Keyes in March.
This year, two young members of Fermanagh Harriers have been awarded these highly contested places. Siblings Sophia and Patrick Williams of Rossfad, Killadeas have each won their age category and will represent NI at the UK Finals.
This will be Sophia’s second year representing NI at the finals; last year, in her first year of Triathlon, she won the Minimus Girls category in NI and secured a top 10 place in the UK Finals. This year, although one of the youngest in the Junior category, she again took first place at the Qualifying Event recently held by Seskinore Branch of the Pony Club.
This was Patrick’s first year in the Minimus category and he took first place in both the Seskinore Qualifier and the North Down qualifier which was held two weeks previously – leaving no doubt that he was fully deserving of his place.
At the Seskinore Qualifier, Kamryn McQuaid also put in a first class performance taking seventh place overall in Junior girls in her first Tetrathon event.
There were also star performances from Emily and Alice Black who were both placed in the Fledging category  - the youngest age group - and announced at the end that they had a “lovely day”.
For such a small branch of The Pony Club, it is wonderful to have two members from Fermanagh Harriers chosen to represent Northern Ireland at this level.
As we creep slowly towards the spring and summer months, there will be many more Pony Club events taking place throughout Fermanagh and further afield. Cross-country riding is added to the mix for Triathlon, making this a popular Tetrathlon event.
There will be competitions in show-jumping, dressage, eventing and pony club games throughout the region as well as lessons in stable management and care of the pony.
Indeed, the events are open to all members of The Pony Club and for all ages ranging from very young children on lead rein to highly competitive youths who are seeking to make their sporting impact  in the horsey world.