PONY EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS – IRELAND TAKES SILVER MEDAL IN JUMPING

IRELAND took the Team Silver medal in show jumping at the Pony European Championships at Millstreet, Co. Cork this afternoon (Friday) with three clear rounds in the final phase securing second place.

Chef d’Equipe Tom Slattery saw Michael Pender and Doon Laddie recording eight faults first time out in the Nations’ Cup today, but improving in the second round with just one fence on the floor. Susan Fitzpatrick with Rock Dee Jay had four faults in the first round, but produced a great clear on her second attempt, while Sean Monaghan and Attyrory Rebel made a fighting comeback from a 12 fault first round to help secure the medal with a zero score. 

The fourth member of Ireland’s Gain Horse Feeds team, Grace McHugh, had four faults in the first round on Cassandra van her Roelhof, but delivered a clear round second time out, holding the team’s total to 16 faults overall.

An in-form French team took the Gold medal on a total of just one fault, while equal-scoring Germany and Great Britain fought for the Bronze in a jump-off, with the German team finally claiming the medal.

Irish Chef d’Equipe Tom Slattery said tonight: “I’m thrilled with the final result. It’s fantastic to achieve a silver medal on home ground. Great credit goes to the riders for their amazing comeback in the second round while under a lot of pressure.”

In Eventing, Ireland is in overnight sixth place in the Pony European Championships after dressage, with France in the lead.

Ireland’s GAIN Horse Feeds European Pony Jumping Silver Medallists. From L – R Chef d’Equipe Tom Slattery, Michael Pender, Sean Monaghan, Susan Fitzpatrick and Grace McHugh. Picture: Helen Revington.