FITZPATRICK TAKES INDIVIDUAL BRONZE MEDAL AT EUROPEAN PONY JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS

FIFTEEN year-old Kilkenny rider Susan Fitzpatrick added to Ireland’s medals at the European Pony Championships in Millstreet, Cork, with a Bronze in the Individual show jumping final this afternoon (Sunday) on Rock Dee Jay.

Fitzpatrick, who took individual Gold at the last European pony championships in Arezzo last year, narrowly missed repeating her victory when France’s Ninon Castex and Quabar Des Monceaux finished on three faults, leaving the Irish rider to battle it out for the other medals in a jump-off between the four finalists who achieved a four fault tally after today’s two rounds.

Briefly holding Silver medal position, Fitzpatrick was eventually outpaced when Belgium’s Arnaud Gaublomme shaved three-quarters of a second off her time.

Fitzpatrick and Barbara O’Reilly-Hyland’s gelding were also part of the Irish GAIN Horse Feeds team that took team Silver at Millstreet on Friday, again finishing behind an in-form French team.

Susan Fitzpatrick and Rock Dee Jay. Picture: Helen Revington