AN IRISH pony team making their debut at Nations' Cup level this evening (Saturday) took Gold at Fontainebleau, beating Germany, France and Sweden into equal second place.

Fourteen year-olds Tom Foley from Clare and 'Dibidoe', and Paraic Kenny from Wexford with the Irish-bred 'Cappagh Romeo' both jumped double clears in the competition, with Paraic's 16 year-old brother Shane delivering a vital clear in the second round with another Irish-bred, 'More Clover' to help give Ireland the gold medal.

Fourteen year-old Jeremy Sweetnam from Bandon in Co. Cork was unfortunately eliminated in the first round with the Irish-bred 'Alhies Fir Baoi', and collected ten faults second time out.

Ian Fearon, Horse Sport Ireland's High Performance Coach for Ponies and Children on Horses, said afterwards: "This was an outstanding win. The four riders were making their debut in a Nations' Cup, but they really stepped up to the mark. We were lying second at the halfway mark, and they delivered three straight clears to win Ireland the trophy. There were seven strong teams here today, but the lads produced the form when it was needed."

The Irish pony riders had collected five individual wins in the first two days of Fontainebleau, and had also dominated most classes with a large number of top ten places.