Ireland win virtual dressage

THIS week, the Pony Club International Alliance announced the results of its 2026 virtual dressage show, with Ireland emerging as winners of the Second Level team competition.

Fielding just three riders, who scored a combined 209.357%, the Ireland squad of West Waterford’s Caoilainn Foley on Monatrea Xavier (76.357), Bray’s Sadie Orton riding Candyman Joe (68.714) and Carbery’s Sinead O’Regan with Alanna’s Rambler (64.286) saw off the quartets representing New Zealand (206.643) and Australia (204.571).

Foley topped the individual standings, with Orton placing fifth and O’Regan 11th. Along with fellow Carbery member Maria Fleming Hand (Bishopshall Joe), Sligo’s Lara Mertens (Castleore Laura) and Shillelagh’s Larah Molly (Miss Kizzy), O’Regan and her 10-year-old Connemara gelding were also members of the Irish team who, on 204, finished third in the freestyle team competition.

This was won by Australia on 212, with an International B team placing second on 211.055. Here, Fleming Hand fared best individually in fourth.

Carbery’s Clara Nyhan (Galtee Honey), Carlow’s Aine Murphy (Metalbridge Rocky) and West Waterford’s Scarlett Dinneen (Warrior Chieftain) joined forces with Canada’s Kathleen Thornton to win the First Level A team competition. In the B competition, the Ireland squad of Meath’s Eabha-Lilly Clayton (Haybells Cinderella), East Galway’s Jed Dillon (Dartans Jumping Jack Flash), the Islands’ Georgia Kelly (Doireann) plus Meath’s Holly Lydon (Carbury) finished second.