LANAKEN 2016 was an historic occasion in Irish showjumping as yet another superstar teenager introduced himself to the world stage by scooping silver and bronze medals.

Michael Pender stunned the Europeans to silence as he won the five-year-old consolation on Saturday before sweeping all before him on Sunday.

First there was Bertram Allen known to all, and now Ireland surprised again by unleashing their next round of heavy artillery in the form of 16-year-old schoolboy Pender, who left the heavyweight yards of Europe with their jaws wide open.

Ger O’Neill meanwhile had promised team manager Comdt John Ledingham he could win the gold medal on Killossery Kaiden and, true to his word, delivered a world class performance in style.

Twelve horses in the world finals from Ireland was a tribute to the grassroots of the sport and the careful preparation of youngsters thanks to the well planned HSI Lanaken qualifiers.

As team manager Ledingham admitted: “Michael Pender is such a natural talent I didn’t need to tell him what to do in the jump-off. We walked the first course and then the jump-off course at the same time.

“We knew it was going to be very difficult and when there were so many clear rounds for the jump-off and just off the last double riders were going in eight strides to the last and hitting it.”

He added: “Willem Greve had the advantage of going last and had a chance to better Michael’s time, but had Michael gone after Greve, Ireland would have had the gold and silver.”

As friends and family clapped Ger O’Neill from the paddock into the main arena with the coveted blue and yellow Zangersheide winner’s rug on board Killossery Kaiden, Comdt Ledingham revealed: “Ger told me if I selected him for here he would win a gold medal and he has done just that. The course was very difficult for six-year-olds with 1.35m oxers and verticals to 1.40m. This was a tough track for young horses but the main secret of our successes is teamwork.”

He explained: “We have very good teamwork, the whole group here is working together and helping each rider. Greg Broderick warmed Ger up in the paddock for the jump-off and I stayed at the main arena to brief him on the way in.

“We had three plans of action and we decided the best plan was to go outside on the turn to the fence which Christian Ahlmann stopped at. I wanted Ger to be clear with a quick and safe round taking no risks.”

O’NEILL CONQUERS

Ger O’Neill knew his job. He came he saw and he conquered with Killossery Kaiden. No stone was left unturned in his preparation and both owners John Carney and Hugh Martin were confident of gold.

Both Pender and O’Neill praised the HSI qualifying system, the Lanaken show and the course builder for such an excellent track. They thanked their owners and supporters who came out to help.

To see Marion Hughes collect two breeding awards for five-year-olds was a tribute to the 50 years of hard work put in by her father Seamus and the bloodlines of Cavalier Royale, who made up mare pedigree.

“It is my first time to Lanaken and I will be coming back again,” said Hughes. “It is a first-class show and I am delighted to have taken breeding awards and to have Michael Pender as our stable jockey.”

Laura Glynn’s breeding award for Killossery Kaiden was another red letter day for Lux Z and Cruising lines and a great honour for her and for Frankie.

Francis Connors having two in the seven-year-old final with Peter Moloney was exceptional and, with excellent performances all round by Irish horses, it looks likely that many owners will be aiming for next year’s teams.

Most counties in Ireland were represented with supporters and thanks to success, it will encourage more new breeders and owners to challenge for a team place.

Without doubt, the breeding team from HSI, led by Alison Corbally, were ahead of the game when it came to PR and marketing the Irish horse.

The owners and breeders can take a bow, sending out such a quality selection of horses, and to those stallion owners who retained bloodlines for the future - let’s not forget their invaluable input.

See A66-67 and A78 for Lanaken coverage.