THE Irish dressage team finished in 18th position at the FEI World Championships in Aachen where the home nation took the team gold medal ahead of Britain in silver and Denmark in bronze on Wednesday afternoon.

Riding as team anchorman, James Connor led the Irish charge when he scored 68.276% for 50th place individually from the 91 starters for his ride with Vanotti. A veteran of several championships, Connor showed all his experience as he put in an excellent performance with his 13-year-old gelding. His score trended around the 70% mark for much of his test, until a small mistake in the two-time changes lowered the it slightly.

“I’m ecstatic,” said Connor after his ride. “He was super, he did his very best. He’s getting better by the day and he’s by far the best horse I’ve ever had. He’s tries his hardest, he’s got so much quality and so much to offer. I think he’s going to be a wonderful horse for the future.”

Despite being one of the older riders in the field at 67 years of age, Connor’s focus is very much on what lies ahead for Vanotti and team Ireland. He reflected: “The great thing is that when you’re on a wonderful horse, you feel young. I feel I’m riding better every day, and for now I’m enjoying it like I have never done before.

“The other riders did a fabulous job,” he added. “They’re very nice riders and superb people, and I think we have a wonderful team for the future.”

Pathfinder

Kevin Acres undertook the role of pathfinder on his championship debut with Michelle Begley’s Ganesh, and the reigning national champions scored 66.289% to finish 66th in the Grand Prix. “I’m over the moon,” he said after the test. “It’s so amazing to be able to ride in that arena, and with the support of everyone around me and the team, it’s been such an enjoyable experience.”

Acres was quick to credit the structure and system around him for a seamless preparation ahead of his test despite an early start as the second rider into the arena. “The team is so good,” he said. “We had a great plan. There was no room for error and it was timed to a T. We did the best we could, and it paid off.”

Kevin Acres and Ganesh at the FEI Dressage World Championships in Aachen \ Tomas Holcbecher

Also contributing to Ireland’s team score of 199.161 was Alex Baker with Elite Stallions’ Top Gear, whose Grand Prix was rewarded with a mark of 64.596%. This score was a little lower than the personal best score they earned on their final international run at Hartpury CDI3* in the run up to Aachen, but the 14-year-old stallion is relatively new to the level and has only been in training with Baker since November of last year.

“I’m still excited, and a little bit relieved,” she reflected after her ride. “It was amazing, you could never have imagined what the atmosphere was like in there. He really tried for me. He’s still really green at the level, which maybe he showed today, but he kept trying and he kept listening to me.”

This was Baker’s second appearance on a world championship squad for Ireland, and like Connor, her focus now turns to the future. “We’ll work to iron the mistakes for next year hopefully. We learn at every show we go to, and he has been delightful, he took it like a pro. This is what we work for. I have waited four years to have this moment again, and it’s an amazing feeling,” she concluded.

Team debutante Jess Dunn scored 63.401% for her ride with Jennifer Whittaker’s Dan Its Carsten, after their test got off to a difficult to start with some errors that kept the mark perhaps lower than expected. “I’m really thrilled with him, and I’m pleased I didn’t let him down even in the tricky moments,” she reflected. “We need more experience and exposure, more big shows and buzzy atmospheres.”

Dunn felt that overall, her first experience as part of an Irish squad was a positive one, and like Acres she was quick to credit her teammates and the support system around her. “I couldn’t have wished for a better experience even if the test didn’t quite go according to plan” she concluded.

Jessica Dunn and Dan Its Carston at the FEI Dressage World Championships \ Tomas Holcbecher

Gold fever

Hosts Germany secured team gold in style. After third athlete Katharina Hemmer’s test, Germany were already guaranteed a medal, before final team member Isabell Werth sealed the gold with a score of 79.876 which saw her finish fourth individually. The British team of Lottie Fry, Carl Hester, Becky Moody and Fiona Bigwood claimed silver, while defending champions Denmark took bronze.

Denmark's Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St John Freestyle finished the Grand Prix at the top of the individual standings with a score of 82.376%.