Ireland in contention after fantastic Day Two at European Championships

Coen Williams celebrates after finishing top of the podium on Day Two of the FEI Youth Show Jumping European Championships

James Kernan’s GAIN Equine Nutrition Ireland Youth Show Jumping teams are bang in contention for medals after another excellent day of action in Gorla Minore at the FEI Youth Show Jumping European Championships.

On the second day of competition, Kernan’s Juniors Coen Williams, James, Eoin and Timmy Brennan and Tom Wachman all contributed to a superb outing for the team – with Williams winning the class to fill him with confidence for the rest of the week.

He was foot perfect on board the 10-year-old Conthanja, jumping clear in a time of 71.09 seconds to see off Portugal’s Madelana Eloy in second, with Swiss rider Lou Puch in third.

Timmy and Eoin Brennan were both quick around the course despite having four jumping faults each and they finished the class in 15^th and 18^th respectively with Diadema Della Caccia and Eskolam M, with Wachman also jumping clear on board Cathalina to finish in 23^rd place.

James Brennan had a pole down but was came home in a fast time and he finished the class in 27^th place on board Irish Sport Horse MHS I’m The One.

Kernan heaped praise on Williams and the team after what was another encouraging class for the Irish, saying: “The Juniors were fantastic today – they’re well up there, there’s nothing in it at the top.

“Coen was brilliant – he was late to go so he had a good starting order and he went in and road a fantastic round. He had to make changes in there – he had to add a stride from fence eight to nine. He did the right thing at the right time and he showed that he’s a top-class rider.

“The lads who had the fence down were very quick – they were very unlucky with the faults but being so fast it made up for it. Tom was also fantastic, he rode a super round and made it look so comfortable out there.

“So I’m happy with where we are for now, it’s delicately poised but we’re bang there. We’ll look to go even better tomorrow and with a bit of luck we’ll hopefully do well. It’s going well so far but there’s still plenty of jumping to do.”

The Junior Showjumping team, from left, James Brennan, Eoin Brennan, Showjumping Youth high performance manager James Kernan, Coen Williams, Team Vet Seamus McSorley, Timmy Brennan and Tom Wachman during Horse Sport Ireland Youth Show Jumping Final training at the National Horse Sport Arena in the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

It was a similar story for the Children on Horses team, who are in a share of the lead after today’s team event, with a score of just four faults. They join Britain, France, Spain, hosts Italy and Germany at the top of the leaderboard ahead of Saturday’s final.

“Alice Moloney was super again with Cosima and was third quickest of the clear rounds, so I was delighted with her, and Cian McMunn put in yet another fabulous round with Limited Edition,” Kernan added. “The pair of them have been so consistent.

“Ruby Lily Gaines’ horse Castle Lux Clover (ISH) sort of took off on her between fence one and two and then went to run out at fence three but she did a remarkable job. They tried to give her four faults for it but we went to the Grand Jury and they saw that she didn’t cross her lines.

“So in the circumstances for her to come away with just four faults gave the others something to fight for and they really grasped the opportunity.

“Lily Tunney’s horse Caravago got a bit stallionish but we know how good she is and we know there’s a big round in them later in the week and we’re joint first so it’s all to play for.”

BREEDING

Castle Lux Clover (ISH) – 2014 gelding by Boherdeal Clover (ISH) out of Cloonagh Luxury (ISH) by Lux Z. Breeder: Jennifer Devlin. Owner: APM Ltd. Rider: Ruby Lily Gaines (IRL)

MHS Im The One (ISH) – 2014 gelding by Lancelot (KWPN) out of Cavalier Kells Lady (ISH) by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Thomas Brennan. Owner: Sinead Byrne. Rider: James Brennan (IRL).

Horse Sport Ireland Youth Athletes are kindly supported by GAIN Equine Nutrition, Bucas, Dubarry of Ireland, TRM Nutrition and Berney Brothers Saddlery.