IRELAND’s Junior (under 18) show jumping team won a team bronze medal for the second year in-a-row at the FEI European Championship in Zuidwolde, The Netherlands, yesterday (Friday).
James Kernan’s team of Harry Allen, Kate Derwin, Jack Ryan and Ciaran Nallon produced a super performance to finish third of the 21 teams in the competition. The gold medal went to Spain while Germany took silver.
The team lay in second place heading into Friday’s two-round team final. Kate Derwin was the standout performance when she produced two fantastic clear rounds aboard her father Francis’ 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding AHG Whiterock Cruise Down. Derwin’s double clear was one of only three in the competition.
Wexford’s Harry Allen and Ballywalter Farms’ Dancing Queen Z picked up four faults towards the end of his first round but returned to produce a perfect clear in the second round to steady the team.
Mayo’s Ciaran Nallon picked up five faults in the first round with Martina Romagnoli’s Cloe GP Z, and improved second time out to just incur four faults. Kilkenny’s Jack Ryan finished the first round with 13 faults and collected 12 in the second round aboard Ann Marie Fagan’s eight-year-old Essenar High Hopes. Individual rider Seamus Hughes Kennedy posted an eight fault and a four fault round with Ed Tatum’s Consun.
A delighted James Kernan said: “I am so proud of our team. They really had to dig deep in what was a very tough competition which lasted nine hours today alone. I have to say the course builder did a fantastic job. He had you thinking from the first fence to the last and you had to focus on the time allowed also.
“I want to thank all our sponsors for their support and all the parents and coaches who helped make this happen and of course to thank Horse Sport Ireland also for their fantastic support.”
Horse Sport Ireland CEO Ronan Murphy added: “I want to congratulate James Kernan and our Gain Junior team members Harry Allen, Kate Derwin, Jack Ryan, Ciaran Nallon and Seamus Hughes-Kennedy who was also an important part of the squad, on a fantastic achievement in winning a European Championship bronze medal today.
“To finish among the medals in a competition that attracted the top riders from 21 European teams is another boost for the Horse Sport Ireland High Performance programme which continues to produce excellent results. I have to thank all our loyal sponsors and the parents, coaches and all those working behind the scenes who contributed to this result.”
The final round of the young rider team competition was getting underway as we went to press yesterday evening.
Eventing
At the Junior eventing European Championships in Maarsbergen, The Netherlands, the Irish team of Katherine O’Hare (Miracle), Lilly Keogh (Master Tredstep), Jennifer Kuehnle (Polly Blue Eyes) and Chloe Fagan (Versace Biscuit) were in third place after the dressage phase.
Keogh is best of the Irish individually in fifth place after a dressage score of 28.8, while Fagan is also inside the top 10 in 10th place. The cross-country phase takes place today (Saturday).
The young rider team of Luke Coen (Stroke of Genius), Ella Boyle (Catriona), Anna Kelly (Something Special) and Christine O’Donnell (Blessington Prince Royal) lie in eighth place after the first phase.