Endurance

TOM MacGuinness and Helen McFarland were among 170 competitors to compete for a medal in the sport of Endurance at WEG. McGuinness was in second place coming to the veterinary gate after the first loop but disaster struck when his horse, Horseware LR Artista, picked up a slight injury which ruled them out of the competition.

McFarland flew the Irish flag almost right to the end of the race but with her horse Just C’mall showing some tenderness, she too was forced to pull out.

Carriage driving

IN carriage driving, Folke and Annika Rohrssen were Ireland’s first ever representatives in the FEI CAIO**** European Nations Cup carriage driving pairs at Riesenbeck, Germany, and they showed remarkable form to finish fourth.

Polo joys

IRELAND’s polo players put in a great display at the World Championships qualifiers at the Beaufort Polo Club but narrowly missed out on qualification. In a very close competition, England, Spain, France and Ireland battled it out to the end.

The Irish team won silver medals at the qualifiers - the second ever for the nation’s polo players. Despite Ireland winning two out of three matches - beating Spain and France - the Irish team of Sebastian Dawnay, Mike Henderson, Max Hutchinson and Niall Donnelly were just edged out of qualification as Ireland and England ended the tournament on equal points but England then qualified on goal difference.

Prior to this, Ireland had shown similar form as they claimed silver at the World Equestrian Games FIP at eight-goal level.

IPS success

THE Irish Pony Society hosted two National Championships during the year. In the Spring Spectacular at Coilog, the Supreme Champion was awarded to Chloe Salley (Amesbury Vanity Fair) while Josephine’s Pride, ridden by Billie-Mae Geoghegan, stood reserve.

At the IPS annual show in Cavan, Katie Wyse (All that Jazz) was awarded the Supreme Championship title while last year’s Supreme Champion, Brynoffa Jonquil, ridden by Ellie McDonnell, stood reserve.

Ireland scored a major win at HOYS when Randalstown native, Jodie Creighton, claimed the 133cm Underwood Working Hunter Pony of the year championship with Stambrook Miss Bellini.

Mounted games

THE Irish mounted games fraternity had much to celebrate in 2014 as their riders clocked up a series of strong results. Competing at the World Championships in France, the open team of Jake O’Connor, Alan Keogan, Kate O’Connor, Craig O’Connor and Jeamie Reavy secured the silver medal. At the same event, the junior under-17 team of Peter McCarthy, Philip Weldon, Graham Bierne, Niall Hughes and Andrew Devitt were narrowly denied a medal when finishing fourth.

Later in the year at the World Pairs Championship in England, more good results were delivered with Peter McCarthy and Phillip Weldon claiming the under-17 title. Alan Keoghan and Dee Cherrington took bronze while Kate and Craig O’Connor finished fifth.

Amateur riders

AMATEUR show jumping riders were fiercely competitive this year. The first major championships on the schedule was Dublin and taking the honours was Edel Kelly (Delphi Flyer).

At the National Championships at Claremorris in August, Lorna Conroy was crowned National Champion, while Joanna Penfold was named National Speed Champion.

Andrew Byrne took the Horseware Derby League title while Lorna Conroy took the Leddy League. Adrian Gilmartin was the winner of the Irish Farmers’ Journal and Dingo’s Championships.