SARAH O'Brien, 15 year-old daughter of racehorse trainer Aidan O'Brien today (Sunday) won the individual Bronze Medal at the European Pony Eventing Championships at Bishop Burton in England.

Sarah repeated the success of her brother Joseph, who won an identical medal in 2009 at Moorsele in Belgium at the age of 16.

Brother and sister used the same pony in both championships, the Irish-bred grey gelding "Ice Cool Bailey", owned by their mother Ann Marie O'Brien.

Tipperary-born Sarah finished just a single penalty point outside of Silver Medal position, which was claimed by Britain's Grace Walker. The Individual Gold went to Germany's Marissa Braig.

Afterwards, Sarah O'Brien said: "I was delighted to win a Bronze Medal at Bishop Burton today. 'Bailey' was brilliant throughout the whole week. I would really like to thank Sue Shortt, Sue Smallman and Ian Fearon for all their fantastic coaching, assistance and advice. I also want to thank Con Kennedy, Hazel Galloway, Jessie Foster, Ruth Robinson and Walter O'Brien for all their help."

Horse Sport Ireland Pony Eventing High Performance Coach Sue Shortt added: " Sarah rode with real professionalism and maturity and her all-round performance through all three phases was much admired by everyone here. This was the strongest cross country track I have ever seen at a pony championship, and she managed to push all the right buttons with 'Ice Cool Bailey' and produce exactly what was needed. It was certainly no cakewalk, and the Bronze Medal is a great credit to her coolness under pressure and to her natural talent."

On Friday the Irish European pony show jumping team of Bertram Allen, Tom Foley, Shane Kenny and Emma O'Dwyer won the Silver Medal at the Championships at Bishop Burton.

Sarah O'Brien