TIPPERARY teenager Max Wachman experienced the highlight of his young career so far when winning an individual silver medal at the show jumping European Championships for Ponies in Bishop Burton, England, last Sunday.
The 14-year-old rode Coolmore Showjumping’s Cuffesgrange Cavalidam, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare by Luidam, to a spot on the podium after four rounds of jumping.
Wachman was clear on the opening day of competition and after picking up four faults on day two was lying on four faults, equal with a few others going into the final day. Those in front of him began to fault and two perfect clears moved him up to silver behind Sweden’s Ingemar Hammarstrom (Ocean Des As), the only rider to finish on a score of zero.
Britain’s Claudia Moore (Elando Van de Roshoeve) took the bronze medal. Katie Power was next best of the Irish in 10th place with 16 faults after also producing two foot-perfect rounds. Francis Derwin was 15th with the Connemara Pony Cul Ban Mistress, and Lucy Shanahan finished 20th with Caliber-De.
HERO
Speaking to The Irish Field after the championships, Wachman was overjoyed with his silver medal and, with another year left in ponies, will aim to be back on the Irish team next season.
Trained by Cian O’Connor and Ross Mulholland, the youngster said: “Cian has been one of my heroes growing up so it was really amazing that he came, especially with Dublin on and he came to the Europeans.”
Cuffesgrange Cavalidam was bred by Ronan Sheenan in Co Laois out of the Cavalier Royale-sired Cuffesgrange Millennium. She was produced through the pony ranks by Kilkenny rider Seamus Hughes Kennedy.
About his mare, Wachman said: “She is definitely the best pony I have ever sat on. Seamie (Hughes Kennedy) did a really good job producing her last year and she finished eighth at the Europeans. Hopefully I can get back on the team next year.”
TEAM IRELAND
The team of Francis Derwin, Katie Power, Max Wachman and Tom Wachman were incredibly unlucky to miss out on a medal in Friday’s team final. They finished on a team total of 20 faults, equal with France, but lost out in the jump-off to finish fourth.
The home nation won team gold on eight faults, ahead of Sweden on 17.
Chef d’equipe Gary Marshall said: “We are all absolutely delighted with all our riders here this week. This is a very young team with all of them with many more years left in ponies and this was their first championships.
“They fought back really well in the final of the team competition and only missed out on team bronze after a jump-off by a single second. The riders improved every day here, it was great team building and they will be even stronger next year.
“Max Wachman really was fantastic on the final day. He has a superb trainer in Cian O’Connor and all the back up staff. I have to thank all the parents and of course our Team Ireland sponsors. We have a great program in place and it is delivering medals.”
Mary Delaney, head of equine at Gain Equine Nutrition, sponsors of the pony teams, added: “A fantastic result, huge congratulations to Max Wachman on winning individual silver at the Europeans. Team Ireland have had unbelievable success this year at youth level.”