Ireland take bronze in French Pony Nations’ Cup, win CSIP Grand Prix

THE four-strong Irish team of Michael Pender, Sean Monaghan, Hannah O’Shea and Jessica Kuehnle finished with a Bronze medal at the Pony Nations’ Cup at Fontainebleau today (Saturday).

Sitting on four faults at the halfway stage thanks to two clears from Jessica Kuehnle and Gold Digger Douglas and Michael Pender on Doon Laddie, they nevertheless faced a team zero score from the Netherlands and one fault from France.

The Irish quartet, under Chef d’Equipe Tom Slattery, was unable to improve in the second round, with just one clear round from Sean Monaghan and Attyrory Rebel, and completed the competition on a total of 12 faults. The Netherlands maintained their top form and took Gold on a team zero score, while France claimed the Silver on a total of five faults.

A total of eight teams competed for the Nations’ Cup.

The Irish scores were:

Michael Pender/Doon Laddie (CP) 0/4
Sean Monaghan/ Attyrory Rebel 4/0
Hannah O’Shea/More Clover (ISH) 4/4
Jessica Kuehnle/Gold Digger Douglas (ISH) 0/19

Earlier Michael Pender and Dress to Thrill won the CSIOP 1m25 class, with Sean Monaghan and Deal or No Deal in second, while Cormac Foley and Beech Hall (ISH) took third in the CSIP 1m20 competition.

Roisin Fagan and Lynncot Fancy Pants (ISH) took victory in today’s Six Year-Old Grand Prix, with Sean Phelan and Boom Shakalaka in third. Cormac Foley and Another Destiny (ISH) also took a third in the CSIP 1m25 class.

Michael Pender and Dress To Thrill took first place in the CSIOP 1m25 speed class yesterday, while Olivia Roulston and Ballygawleys Little Ferro (ISH) won the 1m15 CSIP Two Phase class, with Cormac Foley and Another Destiny (ISH) in second, and Nano Healy on Starfield Cuchullain (IRIP) placing third.

Abigail McGeoghan-Santry and Garryndruig Churchill (ISH) were victorious in Thursday’s Seven Year-Old competition, and took a fourth place in Friday’s Seven Year-Old class.

In the Six Year-old class on Thursday, Michael Pender and Monroe Lad (CP) claimed the runner-up spot behind France’s Nina Mallevaey  and Uhelem de Seille, while third went to Sean Monaghan and Quantum Caspian, with Roisin Fagan and Lynncot Fancy Pants (ISH) in fourth.

Roisin and Lynncot Fancy Pants placed second in the Six Year-Old competition on Friday, with Sean Monaghan and Quantum Caspian in fourth. The class was again won by France’s Nina Mallevaey  and Uhelem de Seille.

On Sunday, 12 year-old Cora Sharkey from Castlerea in Co. Roscommon with Berta’s Clover (ISH) won the CSIP Grand Prix, with Olivia Roulston and Ballygawley’s Little Ferro (ISH) in 3rd, Anne-Marie Dunne/Dalestown Cavalier (ISH) in 8th and Abigail McGeoghan-Santry placing 10th on Garryndruig Gold Digger (ISH).

BREEDING

More Clover (ISH) – 2000 bay mare. Owner: Susan O’Shea. Rider: Hannah O’Shea (IRL)

Gold Digger Douglas (ISH) – 2004 grey gelding by Ard VDL Douglas (KWPN) out of Riverside Tilly (ISH). Bred by James Timmins, Co. Carlow. Owner: Sandra Duffy. Rider: Jessica Kuehnle (IRL)

Ballygawleys Little Ferro (ISH) – 2006 brown gelding by S Creevagh Ferro Ex Siebe (KWPN) out of Creevagh Dawn (IRIP). Bred by Ronnie Hollinger, Co. Monaghan. Owner: Mark Gallagher. Rider: Olivia Roulston (IRL)

Another Destiny (ISH) – 2000 bay gelding. Owner: Carmel King. Rider: Cormac Foley (IRL)

Garryndruig Churchill (ISH) – 2007 roan gelding by Vancouver (KWPN) out of Tullineaskey Punch (IRIP). Bred by Willie Santry, Co. Cork. Owner: Wayne Santry. Rider: Abigail McGeoghan-Santry (IRL)



Lynncot Fancy Pants (ISH) – 2008 brown gelding by Annaghmore Boomerang (BAH) out of Westside Lucy (UNK), by Westside Mirah (CP). Owner/Bred by Barbara Algar, Co. Westmeath. Rider: Roisin Fagan (IRL)

Beech Hall (ISH) – 1999 grey mare. Owner: Spring Mount Farm. Rider: Cormac Foley (IRL)