IRELAND'S pony riders pulled off an impressive double in Switzerland this afternoon (Friday) when they not only won the Swiss Nations' Cup but also clinched the European Challenge Cup, which is based on the number of Nations' Cup wins achieved in 2010.

Ireland's pathfinder at Chevenez, 15 year-old European Pony Gold Medallist Bertram Allen, collected four faults in his first round but delivered a zero score on 'Acapella Z' second time out.

Jeremy Sweetnam on the Irish-bred 'Allihies Fir Baoi' produced a clear and an eight fault round, while Tom Foley on 'Dibidoe' had a single mistake in each round. Irish anchor rider, Emma O'Dwyer with 'Kalim Du Montlieu', had four faults in her first round, but her clear second round helped Ireland snatch the trophy from Belgium, who finished in Silver Medal position on a total of 16 faults.

The Bronze Medal went to the Netherlands team, who had a total of 20 faults.

Ireland's victory this afternoon also gave them the coveted European Challenge Cup. Going in to today's competition, Ireland shared the European lead with Belgium, each nation having two Nations' Cup wins apiece, but the single fence lead achieved by the Irish quartet delivered the Challenge Cup on a total of three Nations' Cup wins.

Team Ireland Equestrian Pony High Performance Manager Ian Fearon, who retires after today's Nations' Cup competition said: "This was an absolutely outstanding performance today. We've now won every Nations' Cup we've entered this year, and it's a tribute to these ponies and their riders that they've stepped up to the top of the high performance programme so convincingly. It's great for Horse Sport Ireland to see these gifted young riders come up through the pony ranks, and to win the new European Challenge Cup series in its first year is a measure of the talent that we have."
 

Emma O'Dwyer and Kalim Du Montlieu