TODAY'S (Sunday) show jumping phase at the final day of the FEI Junior European Eventing Championships in Bad Segeberg, Germany, saw the Irish team hold on to its overnight fourth place and finish just outside the medals.

Improving two places on last year's benchmark of championship sixth, the Irish quartet of Melanie Young, David Hannigan, Lauren Persse and Hannah Dunbar fought back from a position of fifth after dressage to fourth after cross country, and today held that place against tough opposition from the eleven other nations present.

A disappointing eight jumping faults and a time fault with 'Riverstown Express' dashed 17 year-old Melanie Young's medal ambitions, dropping her from overnight fifth place to individual 11th, while David Hannigan and the Irish-bred 'Red Baron' finished in 22nd after having a rail down today.

Lauren Persse and the Irish-bred Darragh Promise also fell foul of the championship jumping course, with 12 faults added, to finish in 30th overall.

Hannah Dunbar and 'River Song' produced the best of the Irish show jumping scores with just a single time fault, but their accumulated dressage and cross country penalties left them as the team's discard score.

The team Gold Medal went to Germany on 134.60, with France taking the Silver on 149.50 and the Bronze Medal going to Italy on 158.20. Germany accounted for both the Gold and Silver individual medals, with Britain taking Bronze.

Ireland's individual rider, Robert O'Callaghan, finished in 34th place with 'Cashlyn Cavalier' on a score of 71.00.

Team Ireland Equestrian’s Junior Eventing High Performance Manager Cmdt Brian MacSweeney said: "This was a very very good performance from our riders on what was a very strong championship course. All five went clear on cross country aside from some time faults, and it was a difficult show jumping course today that saw very few clears.

"We ended up not a million miles from a medal, and fourth place at European Championship level is itself a very real achievement. I am very optimistic for next year, as we will have three of this squad available, and some very promising juniors coming through to add even more strength, with training starting again just after Christmas."

Melanie Young