A LARGE group of Irish junior and pony riders travelled to Neeroeteren in Belgium last weekend and returned home with more than their fair share of prizes.

Along with some excellent individual results, the Irish pony team scored a hard-fought victory in last Saturday’s team competition. Fifteen teams began the contest with Ireland one of three teams to finish on a zero score after two rounds of jumping.

A three-way jump-off against the clock saw the Irish quartet of Patrick Hickey (New Forge Lady), Tyrone Flanagan (Talyas Diamond Link), Elisha O’Connor (Hazelbergs Erik) and Abbie Sweetnam (Spartacus Reape), take on Britain and the home side from Belgium.

Wexford-born Hickey delivered a clear against the clock (his third zero score of the competition), while Sweetnam also kept the poles standing adding to four fault scores from both O’Connor and Flanagan. This left Ireland as winners on a four fault total, with Belgium finishing as runners up on eight faults ahead of Britain who also finished on eight but in a slower time.

Dublin’s Matt Garrigan was in action in the junior classes at the Belgian venue and scored a runner-up finish in last Friday’s 1.30m two-phase class with Sterling Un Prince. Pony team member Patrick Hickey slotted into sixth place with EC Braveheart. Garrigan was back in the prizes a day later, once again finishing second with Sterling Un Prince, this time in a 1.35m jump-off class.

Kilkenny’s Grace O’Donnell also scored a runner-up finish in last Friday’s 1.20m pony class riding Orchids Vienna, with Hickey and New Forge Lady taking fifth pace. Last Sunday’s 1.25m pony final saw Cork’s Abbie Sweetnam finish fourth with Spartacus Reape, while O’Donnell and Orchid’s Vienna took sixth spot. Wexford’s Harry Allen claimed a fifth place finish in the 1.10m jump-off class with Aughnashammer, while Kilkenny’s Maddie Brennan filled ninth place after a double clear round with Robe Duster.