Teary Whitaker

BRITISH show jumper Michael Whitaker got teary last week after making a last minute dash from the Olympics in Rio to make it to Vilhelmsborg, Denmark, just in time to see his son Jack win the individual gold medal at the pony European Championships.

Unable to hold back his emotion when asked about the performance during an interview with Horse and Country, Michael had to take a moment before saying he was incredibly proud of his 14-year-old son.

Wedding bells

SUMMER weddings require juggling by show exhibitors, but Ian Murphy and Amy Gillard have found a way to combine both.

Ian was busy last weekend at Limerick and Moate shows, taking two reserve titles with his Avas Queen in the Limerick Lady and All Ireland finals, then helping his father Hughie show their recent Mohill Breeders champion Barnaview Queen and her foal at Moate the following day.

The Mayo couple then tied the knot in Ballina on Wednesday and were planning to take in Bantry Show tomorrow.

Carn Verdon Boy

DEIRDRE and Joan Geoghegan’s Carn Verdon Boy (Ferdia x Carn Lady Ash) was the highest placed Connemara pony and winner of the Abbeyleix Owen Trophy at Dressage Ireland’s National Championships at Barnadown in Co Wexford last weekend. The eight-year-old gelding was ridden by Alana Cazabon, who was winning the prize for the sixth time. Already competing at Medium level, Carn Verdon Boy only began his dressage career in December 2015 and has won many championships at Elementary level.