TOP international honours were reserved for the underage teams, who picked up podium places in both the pony and young rider ranks. All three squads were competitive, and first up was the pony team who travelled to Strzegom in Poland, under the guidance of Becky Cullen.

It was the most emotional week for the squad, who were still coming to terms with the tragic loss of their team member and friend Tiggy Hancock (15). They honoured her in the best way however, as Ben Connors landed the individual silver medal with the Connemara pony Cornafest Fred, while the team of Connors, Caoimhe Crozier (Kildromin Banjo), Sarah Keane (Lon Mac Liomhtha) and Ted O’Leary (Rockon Pedro) filled the bronze medal position. The French team swept the board, winning the team honours as well as the individual title which went to Mae Rinaldi.

Two weeks later, the juniors and the young riders made the equally long journey to their combined championships at Segersjo in Sweden. Sue Shortt’s young rider squad of Jim Tyrrell (Rock Gift), Jennifer Kuehnle (Polly Blue Eyes), Brian Kuehnle (Tullibards Now or Never) and Allanah Kelly (Cooley Bounce) were in brilliant form to fill silver medal spot behind runaway winners Germany.

As a member of the winning team, Greta Busacker lifted the individual title, leaving a competitive Jim Tyrrell to fill fifth with Rock Gift, and Jenny Kuehnle in sixth. Landing a clean sweep, the Germans were also victorious in the junior ranks. Ireland’s squad of India Rogers (Hollybrook Star), Godfrey Gibbons (Milchem Free Spirit), Susan Shanahan (Eisfee) and Tom Rowlatt McCormick (Mon Ami Alme) were just out of the reckoning in sixth spot, with India Rogers recording the best individual placing (14th).

Read all the 2021 international reviews here.