BRILLIANT performances from the Irish team at the first leg of the Student Rider Nations Cups series in Leuven, Belgium last weekend saw them take home the gold medal in the overall standings.

The team consisted of Peter Dillon (UCD), Michelle O’Driscoll (UCC) and Ana Desmond (UUJ), plus two individual riders Alannah Kelly (UCD) and Sadhbh Stassin Peelo (TCD). The team of three brought home silver in both dressage and show jumping, as well as gold in the overall standings.

Additionally, Peter Dillon took home gold in the show jumping phase and bronze in dressage, thus claiming gold overall as an individual. Michelle O’Driscoll wasn’t far behind, bringing home overall silver, with a notable sixth place dressage and eighth in show jumping.

Ana Desmond placed 10th overall; Alannah Kelly took home 10th in dressage and Sadhbh Stassin Peelo was ninth in show jumping to mark a brilliant start back after two long years off due to Covid-19, under the watchful eye of chef d’equipe and National Responsible for IURCA ltd, Anastasia Ripolin, plus an army of 20 travelling Irish supporters.

The team thanked the governing body, the World University Equestrian Federation (AIEC) and their Irish president Beatrice Gates Hardiman in particular, plus the Belgian organising committee for a fantastic competition.