A STUNNING run of results for Ireland’s youth Show Jumping athletes over this weekend at Hagen Future Champions Nations Cup fixture in Germany, highlighted the hugely bright future for the sport from an Irish point of view, with all four of the Irish teams in action finishing on the podium in their competitions, recording a win, two runner-up finishes and a third place finish over the course of two days of top class competition.

The pick of the results came from the Irish U18 (Junior) team who claimed a brilliant win in their Nations Cup contest on Saturday. Managed by James Kernan, the quartet of Max Wachman with Brooklyn De Hus, Caragh Charlton with Galina, John McEntee with Hip Girl and Tom Wachman with Atlantic Du Seigneur, finished on a two round total of five faults ahead of Poland who took runner-up spot on eight faults while Germany finished third of the 11 teams on nine faults.

Later that evening, the Irish U21 (Young Rider) team defied the odds in their Nations Cup to land a runner-up finish despite having only three team members and no discard score. Sean Monaghan with EMS Adelaide (ISH), Kayleigh Soden with ARD Leaderman (ISH) and Jason Foley with Clyde VA, managed by James Kernan, finished as joint runners-up on a score of nine faults. Germany took victory with a score of six faults, with Sweden sharing second place with Ireland.

COH and Pony Nations Cup

On Sunday, the Irish U14 (Children On Horses) team of Emily Moloney with GVS Goodwins Queen (ISH), Kian Dore with CSF Olympic You Too (ISH), Chloe Hughes Kennedy with Zuidam and Katie Nallon with Javas True Colours (ISH), managed by James Kernan, also recorded a runner-up finish in the Nations Cup.

A jump-off was needed to decide the winners after both Ireland and Belgium finished on a zero score with the Belgian’s coming out on top in the decider.

On Sunday morning, the Irish Pony team of Eoin Brennan with GCS Daisy Lux (ISH), Marta Hughes-Bravo with Carrickaduff Pet (ISH), Chloe Hughes Kennedy with Still Got Me and Katie McEntee with Valmy De Treille, managed by Gary Marshall, finished third in the pony Nations Cup. Ireland finished on a two round total of 24 faults with victory going to France on a zero score.

Fantastic performances

Manager James Kernan (pictured) praised the superb performances from all the Irish athletes and said: “All our teams on horses and our pony team really made their mark here on the European stage this weekend, they were fantastic. The team spirit was unbelievable with everyone rooting for each other.

"These kids really appreciate putting on the green jacket and tried their hearts out producing fantastic results. These were big testing tracks, some of the toughest I have seen and we are now really looking forward to the European Championships which are coming up in Portugal in July. I want to thank all the owners, trainers, parents and support teams for their fantastic support over a very successful weekend.”

Source: Horse Sport Ireland press release