IRELAND’S high performance pony dressage squad have qualified a full team for this year’s European Championships for Ponies, to be held in Malmo, Sweden in August.

Competing at the Addington CDIP, Buckinghamshire in Britain, the riders achieved their European Championship qualifying scores yesterday (Friday) morning in the FEI team test.

Katie Burns and Caracas, already qualified from last year’s European Championships, scored 64.77%.

Making their International debuts, Sophie Walsh and Horseleap Bruno and Emily Kate Robinson with Tizrara Hill scored 62.77 and 60.72% respectively.

Also qualified from last year is Alana Cazabon Sullivan with SSchermeer’s Hof Arendsoog but they were forced to withdraw from Addington due to a rider injury.

Roisin Muirhead and Dunsallen also made their international debut at Addington, scoring 58.37%.

The squad competes today (Saturday) in the FEI Individual test.

Team manager Anne Marie Dunphy said: “I am pleased with the squad, three of whom are competing internationally for the first time. They are all gaining great experience and will come home stronger from it.”