Fitzpatrick wins Netherlands Pony Grand Prix

FOURTEEN year-old Kilkenny rider Susan Fitzpatrick added to Ireland’s weekend successes at Enschede in the Netherlands tonight (Saturday) with victory in the Pony Grand Prix.

Fitzpatrick, who was piloting Barbara O’Reilly-Hyland’s talented 11 year-old gelding Rock Dee Jay, went clear in the jump-off and outpaced British challenger Charlie Dawson and Maradonna by fractions of a second to claim the Expo Talent Sale prize and the 600 euro prize.

Another Irish rider, Mike Pender with Lorraine Mooney’s Sandlings Surreal, took tenth place in the Grand Prix, also on a double clear round.

Fitzpatrick and Pender were two of the Irish riders who took second place in the Enschede Team Competition on Friday, alongside Katie Raeburn and Lucy Allen, while Pender himself enjoyed a victory in Thursday’s speed competition, riding Lorraine Mooney’s Irish Sport Horse mare, Dressed To Thrill.

Fitzpatrick also took a third place in Thursday’s Two-Phase competition with Ghost Rider.