THE wonderful achievements of Irish riders taking Irish-bred horses to the very top of the world at the prestigious Lanaken Championships in all three age divisions is nothing short of phenomenal and breathtaking.

Kilkenny teenager Seamus Hughes-Kennedy (17), Carlow’s Jason Foley (18) and Kildare’s Mikey Pender (19) took on the world’s very best in Belgium and beat them hands down, taking home gold and silver galore for Irish sport horse breeding. Between them, the ages of these three young riders tot up to just 54 but the cool heads and expert performances they all put in at Lanaken completely belies their youth.