HORSE Sport Ireland has confirmed the initial squad for the Pony European Championships which will take place in Bishop Burton in the UK from July 30th to August 1st 2010.

The seven rider squad in alphabetical order is:

Bertram Allen; Acapella Z and Cassandra Van Het Roelhof
Michael Duffy; Sillogue Darkie
Tom Foley; Dibidoe
Shane Kenny; More Clover
Kate MacDonagh; Imagine If One
Shannon MacKenzie; Bundy
Emma O’Dwyer; Kalim De Montlieu

The squad was selected following trials which took place over the last two weekends in Barnadown and Cavan. Five places on the squad were secured from these trials, with Bertram Allen remarkably emerging in first and second places with Acapella Z and Cassandra Van Het Roelhof. He was followed in by Shane Kenny, Kate MacDonagh and Michael Duffy. The last two places on the squad were from wildcards and these were awarded to Emma O’ Dwyer and Shannon MacKenzie.

Team Manager Ian Fearon said that he was delighted with how the trials went over the last two weekends.

“The trials were true championship tests and they replicated the sort of tracks and indeed the sort of pressures that combinations will be on at the Championships,” he said.

"The tracks were big and typical and it was great to work with both course builders, especially Mark McGowan, who will be building at this year's European Championships. Both venues were excellent.

"The top ponies and riders that came through really had to earn their place, overall, riders and their families were able to take part and learn what a high standard of riding and standard of pony you need for the European Championships.

"I would like to thank the pony committee, Katy Saunders and Keith Griffin and all in HSI for the ongoing hard work, and all involved with the two trials, helping to make them a great success."

The seven riders will now compete at the International pony show in Wierden with the five successful riders in the trials making up the squad from which the team for the Nations Cup at the show will be selected.
 

Bertram Allen with team manager Ian Fearon.