A THREE-way jump-off saw the Irish pony team take bronze in the Pony Nations Cup in Opglabbeek, Belgium, behind winners France while the British team scooped silver. Gary Marshall’s squad of Jack Ryan (Sixmile Water Blaze), Sean Monaghan (Ballyowen Maybell Molly), Kate Derwin (Vales Blue Melody) and Ciaran Nallon (Dibidoe) put in another gutsy performance to land the bronze medal.

More was to come from the talented young Irish riders in the 1.30m Grand Prix where Monaghan was fifth on the traditional Irish-bred Ballyowen Maybell Molly (0/0 41.70) and Derwin was eight (0/4 39.30) on Vales Blue Melody and Robbie Clancy was 10th with For Kids Only (0/4 40.40) behind British winner Jodie Hall McAteer on Tixylix (0/0 37.90).

Derwin captured a win with the Irish-bred Springhill Rebellious (0/0 26.67) in the 1.15m two-phase. The Irish-bred Porsha (ISH) was sixth with Tyrone’s Anabelle Heffron in a 1.30m jump-off class won by Britain’s Eleanor Hall McAteer on Dazzle II (0/0 30.24). Heffron also placed Calvade VD Pikkerie Z to fourth in 1.15m two-phase class (0/4 37.93) behind British winner Sienna Charles on Westenwind (0/0 26.99).

Clancy was also fourth on Sambo Lino in a Table A 1.15m two-phase special won by Denmark’s Pernille Christophersen on Pimmetje while Derwin and Harry Allen were sixth and seventh respectively with Vales Blue Melody and Aughnashammer in a timed 1.25m class won by Britain’s John Whitaker on Zodianne DE Doevenbree.

The Irish junior team finished in fourth place in the Nations Cup. The squad was Patrick Hickey (Quandorina), Cormac Foley (Ballylynch Wizard), Christopher O’Connell (BVS Echo Island (ISH) (TIH) and Michael Pender (Sheikh It).

Junior rider Grace McHugh was highest of the Irish riders, taking 11th place overall in the 1.40m CSIOJ Grand Prix last Sunday after jumping two clear rounds from 72 starters. In all, McHugh jumped four clear rounds at Sentower Park.

More was to come for the Irish at the venue when Donegal’s Gavin Harley (20) and the 12-year-old stallion Understone Van De Kapel won the 1.45m Young Rider Grand Prix, going double clear in an unbeatable 32.29 seconds to win. There were 42 combinations in the class and Harley was the only Irish rider. He came home with half a second to spare over his nearest rival.