WELL done to Bernard O’Sullivan who has qualified to represent Ireland in the upcoming World Equestrian Games this September in North Carolina, USA, in reining.

Bernard, a member of the Irish Quarter Horse Association, rode Wendy Kemble and Mark Hardin’s Hang Ten To Yuma in the qualifying three-star reining competition at Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, last week where he placed third overall to earn his WEG place on a qualifying score of 70.

Bernard said: “It been a life long ambition of mine and my family to represent Ireland at this level. I’m so grateful to my family and friends for all their support. I can’t thank enough the trainers, owners and clinicians I have the pleasure to work with to achieve this.”

IQHA secretary Derek O’Byrne White said: “Bernard’s achievements are just amazing given the challenges he had to face. Showing in Chile, Australia, and now in Canada on three different horses, scoring 71.5 and 70 with horses he had such a short time to prepare with. In Canada after his qualifying run he went back in with another loan horse in a rookie class and achieved reserve Champion with just 30 minutes familiarisation. It speaks volumes about Bernard’s horsemanship skills.”