Katherine Wilkinson, her 16-year-old daughter Emily and friend Chloe Eshelby, 14, were highly successful during a competition holiday with their Connemara ponies in Ireland.

In between riding on the beach, the Baildon trio competed at the 87th Clifden Connemara Pony Show and the International Connemara Pony Championships on their geldings Delmrose Applejack (Jack) and Geri’s Prince.

In the former event, Katherine won the ‘Connemara pony ridden by rider aged 21 years and over’ category, while Chloe was placed second in the ‘Connemara pony ridden by rider over ten and under 16’ section.

Emily was second in the ‘Connemara pony working hunter ridden by rider under 16’ and fourth in the ‘Potential working hunter for Connemara ponies age four-six years’ class.

In the latter event, Emily won the four/five-year-old mare and gelding Connemara Ridden Championship and was third in the preliminary dressage class.

She also won the novice and elementary dressage classes and came second in the derby class, managing a stylish clear round. Emily was also named ‘best overseas rider under 16’.

Chloe came third in a strong class of ponies in the International Connemara Performance Championship Ridden under-16 class.

Meanwhile, at the separate Oughterard Show, Emily placed fourth in the prestigious Powers Quarry International Ridden Performance Championship.

In total the trio won £750, sashes, five bags of horse feed and a rug. The prize money came in very useful, paying for the ferry crossing as well as a couple of celebratory meals.