THE Gain Equine Nutrition-sponsored Irish Under 18 (Junior) show jumping team have taken the bronze medal after a battling performance today at the Longines FEI European Championships in Fontainbleau, France.

The Irish quartet of Kilkenny's Jack Ryan, Athlone's Kate Derwin, Carlow's Jason Foley and Wexford's Harry Allen, were in fourth place after Thursday's second round of the team competition and overtook Italy in today's (Friday) decider to claim a place on the podium.

Ireland finished on a three-round total of 25.15 faults ahead of Russia in fourth of the 21 teams that took part on 28.21. Belgium took the gold on 14.55 while Britain claimed silver on 22.29 - less than a fence ahead of Ireland.

Irish Youth team manager James Kernan was incredibly pleased with his team's performance: "I am so proud of how our team performed under real pressure. This was a really tough team championship and to battle our way up to claim a podium finish is just reward for the huge effort and preparation of all our squad - I really cannot praise them enough. We have two team medals in the bag and are looking forward to the rest of the competitions over the weekend."

Jason Foley and Castlefield Vegas are in gold medal position individually

Jason Foley and Castlefield Vegas (ISH) are now in the gold medal position heading into Sunday's individual final and the pair are yet to knock a fence at the championships with Kate Derwin next best in 17th with AHG Whiterock Cruise Down (ISH).

Horse Sport Ireland CEO Ronan Murphy said: "This is another fantastic result from our youth athletes and it shows a consistent level of performance from our riders at major championships. We have to thank all our sponsors, owners and those working behind the scenes including the parents and our High Performance Committees who make these results possible. I wish all our athletes the best of luck in the individual finals and Eventing competitions over the weekend. A special mention also to our individual rider Rory Kavanagh who made history this week as Ireland’s first representative in the Under 14 (Children's) Dressage European Championships."

On Wednesday, the Gain Irish Under 14 team claimed the European Silver Medal at the same venue. James Kernan's team included Sarah Fitzgerald, Rhys Williams, Lucy Morton, and Ciaran Foley, with Isobel Hughes-Kennedy also competing as an individual.

Mary Delaney, head of Gain Equine Nutrition added: “Wonderful to see another successful result at the Europeans, congratulations to the Under 18 (Junior) Show Jumping team on winning team bronze! We at GAIN are delighted to see these talented young riders succeed on a global stage."