A dozen team medals in four years

THE depth of talent in Irish eventing was evident at Wednesday’s launch with no less than 12 team medals and two individual medals won in the last four years.

HSI interim CEO James Kennedy said: “Today is the official launch of the 2017-2021 Gain Equine Nutrition continuing sponsorship for the Team Ireland eventing, show jumping and dressage squads.

“In the past four years, our young people have done amazing things, we have won 12 team medals and two individual medals. Three team golds and one individual gold. So we are hoping in the next four years, with Gain’s support, you will achieve and exceed these targets, I’m sure you will.

“We have a huge amount of talent, every weekend you look at our press releases and there are wonderful things happening worldwide.

“We now have 40 senior jumpers in the senior squad, there is no other country in the world that can say they have that, and we have wonderful young riders coming up. Without the support of companies like Glanbia, and without the support of parents, this would never happen, so thank you very very much.”

Chairman of Glanbia, Henry Corbally, added: “This year, I understand we are including dressage riders as well as show jumping and eventing in our sponsorship. I think that’s particularly apt as it’s probably one of the areas of equine actively that is coming to the fore and really gaining popularity.

“I remember as a small kid at pony club camp and someone said to us that when the Europeans get up on their horses, they start by doing a nice collected paces and working in the arena, whereas when an Irish person gets up on a horse, they are far more likely to gallop in a 20-acre field, and that’s why they beat us all the time.

“I understand, thanks to work that Sally and others are doing, that we are starting to catch up in that area.”