Iveagh Pony Club battles on at Area 17 Tetrathlon
Tenacity shines through the rain as Area 17 holds annual Tetrathlon competition
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The tenacity of organisers, host venues, competitors and parents shone through the rain for the Area 17 Tetrathlon 2023 on Saturday, July 15, even when the difficult decision to cancel the cross-country phase had to be made.
180 competitors took part from across Area 17 and Irish Pony Club, 25 of whom were courageous Iveagh Pony Club competitors. The host Pony Club, Seskinore, had put months of planning, hard work and commitment into making the competition a highlight of the year for local Tetrathletes.
The day commenced with a challenging cross-country run course held at Ash Hollow, where competitors not only battled hill and dale, but a deluge of rain, proving their mettle by putting in some fantastic times, with Iveagh member Jude Kelly (Tadpole) the top runner, with a score of 979 points in the run phase!
Iveagh Beanies utilised the shelter of farm sheds for their beanbag throw, showing accuracy beyond their years, with Annie Crawford (Iveagh) top beanbag thrower, scoring 680.
The competitors then decamped to Omagh Leisure Centre to shoot and swim. Impressive scoring in both elements were achieved, with 1045 (eight lengths) Iveagh best swim score for two Junior Girls, Una McClelland and Beth Phillips and three Area 17 Junior competitors achieving best shoot of the day overall, one of whom was Iveagh’s Beth Phillips, scoring 980.
Each and every one of the Iveagh competitors came home with a rosette, and several with personal bests and additional individual and team prizes gained from both the Area 17 Tetrathlon and Triathlon, as well as the Sperrin Challenge.
Iveagh secured:
Five Team 1st placings; seven Team 2nd placings; one Team 3rd placing
Two Individual 1st placings; four Individual 2nd placings; three Individual 3rd placings
Harry Purdy achieved top run in the Junior Boys, Ted Geary top shot in the Minimus, Cora Kelly top swim in Beanies and Jessica Clarke top swim in Tadpoles.
Personal bests were achieved with great celebration, breaking their own personal ceiling for Alex Philips, Una McClelland, Beth Wishart, Beth Phillips, Harry Purdy, Cora Kelly, Oliver McClelland, Annie Crawford, Lexi Trainor, Jude and Andrew Wishart.
A huge thank you must go to Seskinore Pony Club and all the volunteers across Area 17, Ash Hollow and Omagh Leisure Centre, as well as all the competitors from across Area 17 and Irish Pony Club.
Denise Phillips, who is the heart and soul of Iveagh Pony Club Tetrathlon, reminded everyone of a wonderful quote:
‘Courage is not the absence of fear, but the mastery of it.’
Denise Phillips also said:
“A special thank you to our Iveagh competitors and their support teams – even when the rain was biblical, you kept going with a smile. We are so proud of you. For some this was their first ever Area Tetrathlon and for others, it’s too late, they are already hooked, the bug has bitten, and you are now smitten – keep going, the future of Tetrathlon in Iveagh is bright!”
Full results:
see Pony Club Results website: click here