The GAIN Irish Junior (U18) Eventing team finished just one place outside the medals when fourth at the 2017 FEI European Eventing Championships in Millstreet, Co Cork.

The Debbie Byrne-managed Irish quartet of Correna Bowe (LCC Cooley (ISH), Anna Kelly (Something Special VI), Alex Power (Lakantus) and Jim Tyrrell (Rock Gift (ISH) finished on a combined score of 149.80 after Sunday's final show jumping phase.

Germany finished on their dressage score of 95.20 to claim the gold medal. Britain took silver with a score of 106.70, and France took home the bronze with a score of 140.00.

Alex Power and Lakantus finished as the highest-placed Irish Junior combination individually in 10th place.

Britain’s Isabelle Upton won the individual gold medal with Eros DHI, Germany’s Gesa Stass took the silver, and bronze went to another German rider, Emma Brussau.

YOUNG RIDER

In the Young Rider (U21) European Championships in Millstreet, Galway’s Cathal Daniels finished fourth, so just one place off the medals.

A clear final show jumping round by the GAIN team member aboard the Irish Sport Horse Sammy Davis Junior, saw them rise up the leaderboard from their ninth place after cross country. They finished less than one penalty point behind Dutch rider Janou Bleekman, who took the bronze medal with Granntevka Prince.

Germany’s Hanna Knuppel and Carismo are the new European Young Rider gold medalists. Britain’s Alex Kennedy and the Irish Sport Horse Lissangle Cavaletto claimed the silver.

Germany won the team gold medal, Netherlands take home the silver, and Britain earned the bronze.

Ireland’s chances of challenging for a team medal were ended when they were reduced to just two team members after the morning trot-up.