THE Irish senior show jumping squad has been selected for the upcoming FEI Jumping European Championship in A Coruna, Spain from July 16th to 20th. Michael Blake has named his squad as Bertram Allen (Qonquest De Rigo), Daniel Coyle (Legacy), Seamus Hughes Kennedy (ESI Rocky (ISH)), Darragh Kenny (Eddy Blue) and Cian O’Connor (Iron Man or Bentley De Sury).
Blake said: “Our teams have been in great form in Nations Cups but when you get to championships the level of competition is even higher and the pressure ramps up. Our lads know that, they compete at the highest level, week in, week out and are relishing the opportunity.”
Ireland’s Young Rider, Junior and Children on Horses show jumping squads for the upcoming FEI Jumping European Championships in Riesenbeck from July 7th-13th were also announced.
Michael Blake will take charge of the Young Rider squad as the team bids for three gold medals on the spin, having won in Peelbergen last year and Gorla Minore in 2023.
The Young Rider team is as follows: Tim Brennan with Diadema Della Caccia, Max Foley with Sumas Knockout (ISH by Tyson), Niamh McEvoy with BP Rocket Man (ISH by Stakkato Gold), Tom Wachman with Obora’s Laura and Coen Williams with Floris R Z.
“This is a very exciting team of riders and horses. Obviously, the competition will be very strong and there’s no doubt some of the other nations will select athletes with senior Nations Cup experience. We are lucky to have the likes of Niamh and Tom to draw on – they have jumped for Ireland at senior level, having come through the youth programme, and bring that experience to our team.
“Max Foley has been jumping superbly well this year and fully deserves his place in the squad, while Coen and Tim have both recently won European championships medals themselves and know exactly what is required at this level.
“They are five very talented young riders who have excellent futures in the sport and I’m excited to be working with them in Riesenbeck.”
Children and Juniors
Following some excellent results in the spring Nations Cup campaign, HSI youth show jumping lead consultant Denis Flannelly and a selection panel including senior international show jumper Denis Lynch, and Chair Sally Anne Tobin, completed the task of choosing their five-strong squads in the Children and Junior category.
The Children on Horses team is as follows: Honor Bills Everett with Godiva Quality, Ryan Horgan with Ajaccienne, Lucia Keane with Elia, Ella Rush with Beach Buggy (ISH) and Elsie Tunney with Flexible Flight (ISH).
The Junior team is: Jack Kent with Castlefield Kingston, Tabitha Kyle with BP Goodfellas (ISH), Emily Moloney with Temple Alice (ISH), Paddy Reape with Mr Rocky Blue (ISH) and Alice Wachman with Killarney.
“It was an incredibly tough process to narrow it down to five combinations in each category, such is the strength and depth we had to choose from,” Flannelly said.
“We could only select five for each squad and, of course, that meant disappointing athletes who have performed brilliantly for us in Nations Cups, where we reached the podium in Sentower and Zuiwolde, as well as winning in Compiegne and most recently in Hagen.
“On top of that, our Children on Horses team also won bronze in Hagen after a three-way jump-off, so that capped off a wonderful week and a wonderful series of shows.
“I am immensely proud of all our athletes, not just those selected, because they have contributed immensely to the programme so far this year and have led us to where we are at this point. They all have such bright futures in the sport and I have no doubt that they will be selected to represent their country in the very near future.”
Lynch was brought in by Horse Sport Ireland as part of the selection panel to offer the youth programme technical depth and expertise in performance standards, preparation, and championship mindset, and he heaped praise on all the considered athletes. “I’m very pleased with the selections we have made and how thorough the selection process was. No stone was left unturned as we selected the teams and I believe we have an excellent chance of success at the championships,” Lynch said.