IRELAND’s pony show jumping riders battling hard at the European Pony Championships in Vilhelmsborg, Denmark, finishing in fifth place on a total of 35 faults yesterday.

Victory went to Italy, Sweden took the silver and Britain the bronze.

Gary Marshall’s team of Adam Carey and Stakkati (0/4/4); Abbie Sweetnam and Dynamite Spartacus (4/0/0), Harry Allen and Aughnashammer (10/EL) and Jason Foley on More Clover (4/EL/19), battled hard but it was not to be.

It was a tough competition and after two rounds, Italy were leading on four faults chased by Sweden and The Netherlands on eight each, with Germany just behind in third on nine.

In equal fifth, were Ireland and Britain on 12 faults each, with Belgium in seventh on 13 faults. Denmark trailed on 25 faults in eight, and Switzerland racked up 34 faults for ninth. France on 36 faults was 10th, and Norway came in last at 11th on 55 faults.

Meanwhile, a Horse Sport Ireland spokesperson confirmed that “Ciaran Nallon’s pony was withdrawn, after he jumped the warm-up class, due to veterinary reasons.”

Earlier, there was a top-15 finish in the dresage individual part one and two for Ireland’s Emily Kate Robinson and Crown Imagine 1. The pair placed 14th on a score of 67.220%. The top three slots were filled by German riders. Tara Hayes and Bantiss Holy Joe were in 28th on 64.244. Laura Dennehy and Ella were in 35th on 60.341%.

Ireland’s eventers were on 12 faults going into the last round.

(See also A52. More reports next week.)