THE Irish squad heading over to next week’s FEI Para Dressage European Championships in The Netherlands have welcomed a wave of public support after an appeal for financial aid.

According to the board of Para Equestrian Ireland “some unforeseen financial constraints” resulted in the athletes and their families taking on more of the financial costs of travelling than anticipated.

Thankfully, a public appeal for funds was embraced and, with a contribution from Para Equestrian Ireland, each rider was given €2,500 toward their costs.

“The riders are all delighted,” said PEI secretary Heather Lemmon. “It’s the travel that is the most expensive; it’s €3,000 just to get them over there physically, but this has lifted the pressure and their spirits. We have high hopes for them to do well, they are absolutely smashing it in training and we are very happy and very grateful to the public for their support.”

Rider Katie Reilly and her mother Karen said they were feeling excited and confident going into the championships and that the public support meant a great deal.

“It’s really good for the sport to see how the country got behind the fundraising,” Karen said. “We really felt they understood how important it is to support these really strong young riders coming up.

“A lot of people think everything’s funded, but when they heard that we are self-funded they were quite surprised. Our story of what’s involved with para riders is equally important - getting that awareness out about the amount of effort and time and personnel that goes into each rider going down that centre line - it’s a hell of a lot compared to able-bodied riders. You just don’t think about that kind of stuff, so it was great to be able to educate the public as well.”

Strong team

Horse Sport Ireland High Performance para dressage manager Simone Hession chose a blend of youth and experience for the event.

Paralympian Jessica McKenna (D.C.I Cerutti) joins Angela Lyons (Woodcroft Santa Cruz) and teenagers Katie Reilly (Keystone Dawn Chorus) and Clodagh Walsh (Chantal) in the travelling squad, with Paris Paralympian Kate Kerr-Horan (Lykkebo’s Don Akino) selected as non-travelling reserve.

Reilly and Walsh have enjoyed some excellent results of late with the pair currently ranked number one and two in the FEI Under-18 World Rankings off the back of a string of fantastic performances, while McKenna has been showing consistent podium-finishing form with her new equine partner this year.

“Preparations have gone really well,” Hession said.

“Obviously, with the paras, they all have their individual teams around them and I’m confident that they had their plans in place and knew what they had to work on.

“There’s great team spirit going into it. You have Jessica, Katie and Clodagh, who are the three young guns as we call them, and then you have Angela and I can see how they’re helping one another with different elements in relation to preparing for the Europeans. Their support for one another is excellent.

“I think at this stage now everything’s packed, we’re ready to go and it’s that excitement building and just wanting to get there and get started now.

“Given their results that they’ve had over the summer they just need to keep doing what they’ve been doing, which is obviously easier said than done! They’re abundantly aware that it’s a European Championship but I think especially for the younger riders, it’s going to be a great opportunity to build the ability to handle a championship and I’m confident that they have those elements. Obviously it’s going to be a learning experience as well, coming out of these championships, going forward into the Worlds next year and then, hopefully, LA.”

A grand total of 20 nations will descend upon the impressive venue of the Dutch National Equestrian Centre in Ermelo between September 3rd and 7th to contend for the European titles.

Throughout the five days of competition, 57 combinations from across the five Grades will head down the centreline, representing their country in three separate competitions. Wednesday and Thursday will see the Individual champion crowned, then on Friday and Saturday, 13 of the Nations will step forward to contest the Team title and, finally, the crowd-pleasing Grand Prix Freestyle will take place on Sunday for the best-placed individuals to compete for the medals.

A full report will appear the week following the event.