IRISH pony riders have showcased exceptional skill and commitment throughout the year, securing impressive victories at home and abroad. Their achievements highlight not only their talent and determination, but also the outstanding quality of Irish ponies. This combination of skilled riders, top-class ponies and excellent training has set them apart among their European counterparts. Here are just a few of the standout moments.

European Championships

Ireland’s remarkable success at the European Pony Show Jumping Championships continued in 2025, as Irish riders captured individual gold and bronze medals, along with team silver, at the FEI European Pony Championships in Le Mans, France.

Irish pony riders had much to celebrate at the FEI Jumping Championships for Ponies in Le Mans, as Sligo’s Cian McMunn and his impressive mount, Esperando SK led home a one-three in green jackets.

McMunn took gold and Charlie Flynn claimed the bronze medal with HK Zena in a nail-biting class, which saw four riders in a jump-off for the three medals.

After five thrilling days of top-class jumping, in which Ireland secured a team silver after being pipped in a jump-off by the British, it all came down to the final four combinations to decide who would win gold, silver and bronze.

McMunn and Darcy Breen were the only pair to stay clear since Wednesday, and the title ultimately came down to the final round.

First to go, McMunn put in a foot-perfect round aboard Esperando SK in a time of 39.25, meaning Breen would need to deliver a quick clear. However, luck was against her as she lowered a pole halfway through her round, which meant McMunn claimed the European Pony Championship.

Before that, Flynn and Sophia Rogers, themselves the only two riders to only have four faults for the week, went head-to-head to decide the bronze medal.

Flynn was first to go of the four combinations aboard HK Zena, and he went out in a determined pace, jumping clear in a time of 38.76 to put the pressure on.

Although Rogers opted for a daring gallop to the last, she failed to match the Irish teen’s time and finished clear in 39.41 seconds, meaning Flynn took home the bronze medal for Ireland.

Also in the line-up were Lily Tunney and Fireman, who finished fifth individually on a total of eight faults overall after having just one pole down in each round.

Team silver

Our pony riders are known across the world for their talent and a superb performance from the team saw them take home the silver medal at the French venue.

The Irish team of Charlie Flynn (HK Zena), Ruben Foley (Wineport Q Junior), Cian McMunn (Esperando SK), Lily Tunney (Fireman) and Sam Widger (Western Ranger) were in a four-way tie for the lead following the opening competition. This lead was reduced to two teams following Friday morning’s second round when Ireland and Britain both produced flawless performances. Ireland entered the final round of jumping level with Britain on a zero score and as the penultimate team to take it on. Ruben Foley and Wineport Q Junior were Ireland’s pathfinders, and their clear round put pressure on Britain’s Holly Gerken, who faulted at the last. That opened the door for the Irish, but the championship went back and forth as Sam Widger and Western Ranger were desperately unlucky to knock the second last.

Darcy Breen went clear for Britain as the two four-fault rounds for both nations potentially became a discard score and they were back level, with Belgium still in the hunt in third on four faults. Niels van Rossem guaranteed a Belgian medal with another clear round before Flynn and HK Zena entered the arena. Not fazed by the pressure, Flynn delivered another foot-perfect round.

Nellie Lock was next for Britain, and her clear meant that the anchor riders would decide the medal placings.

Tunney and Fireman also kept the poles in their cups, and a clear from Sophia Rogers forced a team jump-off.

Foley and Wineport Q Junior were first in the jump-off and went clear in 40.24 seconds before Gerken faulted at the last for Britain and four faults gave Ireland the advantage.

Widger delivered a clear in 39.69 seconds, with Breen coming home with nothing to add in 40.59 seconds, meaning Ireland were still in front. Flynn had four faults, but with Lock delivering a clear in 44 seconds, the pressure remained.

With Tunney having one down, the momentum shifted back in Britain’s favour, meaning Rogers was afforded the opportunity to jump clear to secure the gold medal. With that in mind, she delivered a safe clear to secure gold.

Nations Cups

In April at Opglabeek in the first leg of the FEI jumping Nations Cup Youth Series, the Irish pony team of Cian Mc Munn (Kandide Van Seven Oaks), Sam Widger (Western Ranger), Charlie Flynn (HK Zena) and Lily Tunney (Correlli Clover) got their campaign off to a good start as they claimed victory in the Nations Cup. The team put in a super performance, beating off the challenge from the Dutch team by a margin of just two penalties, aided by a double clear from Sam Widger, one of just four in the very competitive class. Also on the podium was Lucia Keane, who landed the win in the CSIP 1.25m Grand Prix with Clounamon Coco. Taking sixth in the class was Alex Owens and HKS Salome. Johan Fitzpatrick made his international debut with Kinamara Dun Boy to finish second in the CSIP 1.20m, while Sam Widger and Little Smithe led the victory lap in the CSIOP 1.25m.

Zuidwolde

In May, an excellent performance saw Team Ireland come out on top again in the seven-strong Nations Cup for pony riders in Zuidwolde.

Denis Flannelly’s quartet was Charlie Flynn (HK Zena), Cian McMunn (Exodus Angies Rose), Ronan Gilvarry (Glor Tier Cruise) and Ruben Foley (Wineport Q Junior). Flynn, McMunn and Foley delivered double clears and Gilvarry’s one time fault in round one and one jumping error provided the discard. Taking second was Britain, ahead of Germany.

In June, the pony team demonstrated their abilities once more as the team of Sam Widger (Western Ranger), Charlie Flynn (Montana), Ruben Foley (Cracher) and Lily Tunney (Fireman) stormed to victory in the Hagen Nations Cup with a flawless display to finish on a zero score. Britain were runners-up on four faults, ahead of Germany in third.

Southview

A firm favourite with Irish riders, Southview once again saw the Irish contingent in the ribbons. In the 128cm team event, the quartet of Lily Lennon (Woodside Jerry-Lee), Harry Kelly (Tower View Lady), Caitie McEvoy (Tynnan Tuttle Pip) and Annie Hughes Kennedy (He’s a Touch of Magic) took the win. In the 138cm event, the team of Charlotte Foley (Blakehill Supreme), Ellie Sheane (Conzar Jane), Ava O’Neill (Tynagh Sunshine) and Harvey Oscar Foley (Mayfly Green Peter) finished third. The team of Sam Widger (Little Smythe), Ella Cash (Internikki), James Cleary (Milchem Original) and Ruben Foley (Wineport Q Junior) took the 148cm victory. Irish riders continued to demonstrate good form, with Ella Rush (RSK Pixie), Charlotte Foley (Krisolito van Orchid), Medb Kinney (SJ Caledonia) and Cliodhna McEvoy (Tynan Bo Bo Bear) taking the Debut win.

Just last month, Irish riders continued to clock up results in what was a very competitive final of the year. Riding Ballyfore Rosie won the 1.30m Grand Prix, with Alex Sheehan and Ballynoe Lurgan Diamond taking the runner-up spot. Later at the show, Irish riders dominated the 1.25m Pony Big Tour Class, with Ted Fagan securing another win with Ballyfore Rosie. He was chased home by Irish team mate, Alex Sheehan on Dunard Cavalexa and Saoirse O’Neill and Carnhill Misty, who accounted for third place. The Pony 1.20m Two-Phase Big Tour, saw five Irish riders in the line-up. Leading the victory lap was Fagan on Kilkillahara Beauty. Saoirse O’Neill and Carnhill Misty slotted into third. Fagan returned to the line-up to take fifth with Ballyfore Rosie, ahead of Ronan Gilvarry on Glor Tire Cruise in sixth. Slotting into seventh was Olivia Kinsella on Woodstock Queen. In the 1.10m two-phase small tour, Max Galway and Orchid’s Coryan took the win, followed by Gilvarry and Romaround. Taking third was Alanna Keeling and Nola HDH. Gilvarry also accounted for eventual fourth with Dexter Leam Prancer, ahead of Robbie Sheehan and Kerim Van Orchids’. Galway and Orchid’s Coryan went on to claim the 1.15m two-phase on the final day, with Olivia Kinsella and Toddy’s Lass taking third. Robbie Sheehan also featured in this line-up, taking fifth with Dunard Cavalexa.