Oh Danny Boy

FEI PREES co-ordinator and journalist Louise Parkes was in the right place with her phone as she captured Irish development team manager Michael Blake giving a rendition of ‘Danny Boy’ at the team press conference on Friday night.

The video, posted on Parkes’ Facebook page, has over 11,000 views and Blake is very proud of his pipes!

Royal mishap

POOR Louise Parkes was on the receiving end of an ‘awkward moment’ when hosting the press conference on Wednesday night. When one lady didn’t have her name tag on, Parkes asked ‘who are you?’ to which the princess responded, “I am Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein”. Nathalie is the youngest daughter of Prince Richard of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Princess Benedikte of Denmark. The former dressage Olympic bronze medallist was appointed Danish team trainer earlier this year. Whoops!

Taking (a little) credit for Bianca

STEVE Guerdat’s amazing mare Bianca (Balou Du Rouet x Cardento) was bred in Sweden by Clonmel’s John Hickey at Stall Hickey. In fifth place after day one, the 11-year-old mare had one down in each of the team round, plus four faults in the first individual final to finish 15th, but helped Switzerland to a team bronze.

Fredricson’s talents

PEDER Fredricson previously represented Sweden at Olympic and European level in three-day eventing. He was the second Swedish rider to win gold at the European Championships, after Rolf Goran Bengtsson and Ninja la Silla in 2011.