A DREAM came true for Mayo’s Michael Duffy when he jumped double clear to win a gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China. The son of Vinnie and Sandra Duffy, Michael (17) was accompanied to China and coached by Horse Sport Ireland’s Junior Performance Manager Comdt. John Ledingham.

The young Irish rider was Ireland’s only equestrian representative at the Games and was part of the victorious five-rider European team who competed in the Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre Stadium on borrowed horses against teams from America and Asia.