THE teams which will contest both the FEI Dressage and Para Dressage World Championships in Aachen, Germany, have been named this week. The Irish senior dressage team will consist of Kevin Acres riding Michelle Begley’s Ganesh, Alex Baker riding Elite Stallions’ Top Gear, Jess Dunn riding Jennifer Whittaker’s Dan Its Carsten and James Connor riding Chiara Olper’s Vanotti.

Horse Sport Ireland’s high performance dressage manager Anne Marie Dunphy said : “I am very excited with the team I have selected to represent Ireland at the World Championships in Aachen. Throughout the selection period, all of the athletes have produced very good performances; their hard work and dedication has earned them their place.

“I am very happy with the balance of the team. Jess and Kevin will make their championship debut, while Alex and James bring previous world championship experience to the table. I extend my sincere thanks to the owners, coaches, grooms and support teams for their continued commitment to our athletes and to the HSI High Performance Programme. It is a great achievement and an honour for us to field a team at the World Championships and we are all looking forward to the challenge.”

The Irish para dressage team to compete in Aachen next month will consist of Rosemary Gaffney with Sue Smallman and Mary Dennehy’s Norabel, Jessica McKenna with Elder Klatzko and Emma McKenna’s DCI Cerruti, Katie Reilly with Karen and Brendan Reilly’s Keystone Dawn Chorus and Clodagh Walsh with Alan Walsh’s Chantal.

HSI’s high performance para dressage manager Simone Hession said of her selection: “It gives me great pleasure to select the Irish para dressage team for the World Championship in Aachen in August. Katie, Jessica, Clodagh and Rosemary have been dedicated and committed; they have competed successfully throughout the year including podium results.

“The target for the year for the high performance squad was to compete with a team at Aachen, as it’s a significant championship towards our long-term goal. Katie, Jessica and Clodagh have built from their performances at the Europeans last year and I’m delighted Rosemary returned to international competition and earned her position on the team.

“It has been a team effort from the athletes’ support teams that has led to us to being able to compete at the Worlds with a strong team and I’d like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their contribution. Myself and the four ladies are honoured to represent Ireland at the World Championships.”

Pony eventing

Meanwhile, HSI high performance youth eventing manager Debbie Byrne has named the squad who will contest the FEI Eventing European Championships for Ponies in Le Mans, France, from July 29th to August 2nd.

Kitty Cullen with Greenaun Russel, Molly Egan with Forans Daylight, Tadgh O’Haire with Ballinagore Hero, Ellen O’Neill with Cadarn d’Heolan, Anna Radford with Essenar Double Dutch and Lillymai Walsh with Chapel Hill Dark Spark have been selected to travel to the championships.

Byrne said: “I am delighted to announce my pony squad for the upcoming European championship in Le Mans at the end of the month. We have a mixture of experience, with three riders having past championship exposure, but all have come through the system this year requiring results and performances at national and international events. I am confident that we can perform at championship level with the help of my coaching and veterinary team, and the aim is to challenge for a podium position. I would like to thank the parents and owners for the commitment that they have shown to the Pony High Performance Programme. We will all now prepare to make this a successful championship.”

Pony show jumping

Denis Flannelly is also looking forward to the FEI Jumping European Championships for Ponies after selecting his five Irish combinations competing in Le Mans. His squad includes Jack Dore with K Little Hero, Ted Fagan with Ballyfore Rosie, Charlie Flynn with Montana, Robbie Sheehan with Pjotr Van De Groenheuvel and Sam Widger with BP Bon Jovi.Saoirse O’Neill and Chantal Whitehead are non-travelling reserves.

Flannelly said: “We are very proud of the five combinations selected to go to Le Mans, but I’m also very proud of the remaining five from the longlist, who pushed the others to their limits to go to the European Championships. We also have two excellent non-travelling reserves, who are ready to step into the breach if necessary. We have a wonderful squad going and are all hoping for a fantastic week in Le Mans.”