A FEATURE of the three home internationals staged in Ireland this year is the fact that there have been no dedicated classes for underage riders. However, this hasn’t stopped them competing and those still riding ponies have been particularly delighted to take on their elders.

Last week, when the Fell family staged a second autumn international at Ballindenisk, a large contingent of young riders descended on the Watergrasshill, Co Cork venue and, while they didn’t manage to win any of the eight competitions, some did finish in the top six which augurs well for the future.

The best result at three-star level was posted by Young Rider Jennifer Kuehnle who, with a pole down show jumping, was second in the CCI3*-S on Polly Blue Eyes. Here, Junior competitor Ava Banahan finished fourth with Calvin II on whom she was just a second over the time across the country.

In the CCI2*-L, where she completed on her first phase score, Junior rider Chloe Fagan occupied fourth place with Nuans T Volt while Jasper Kelly, who only started competing under Eventing Ireland rules this season, finished a very creditable second in the short-format class with Fiona’s Fionn. Here, fellow 14-year-old Tiggy Hancock was fifth on Monarch Of The Glen.

Not too surprisingly, there were plenty of underage riders in the CCI1*-Intro where, after dressage, the lead was held by another 14-year-old, Matthew Love, on Cloughreagh Charlie. Disappointingly, a pole down show jumping saw them slip to second. Anya Teuton finished fourth on Painted Cavalier, a place ahead of Ben Connors (Cornafest Fred) who is still competing at a high level in pony show jumping competitions.

While all these young riders deserve great praise for their results, special mention has to go to first-season competitor Teuton who, with a dedicated mindset and wonderful support, has overcome serious health issues in recent years.

For many of these young riders, their hero and inspiration is Cathal Daniels who beat Kelly into second in the CCI2*-S. The 24-year-old is a multiple medal-winner at underage level, a member of the Irish silver-medal winning team at the 2018 World Equestrian Games and the individual bronze medal winner at the European championships last year. He won the CCI2*-S with LEB Empress on whom he will be competing in the six-year-old class at Le Lion d’Angers while he will also be taking part in the seven-year-old division with Shannondale Mari.

Daniels’s legions of fans will be able to follow his progress on the championships’ livestream.