IRELAND STAGES DRAMATIC RALLY TO WIN TEAM EUROPEAN JUNIOR GOLD MEDAL

IRELAND staged a dramatic rally in the show jumping phase of the Junior European Eventing Championships in England today (Sunday) to secure the Team Gold Medal for the second year in a row.

Galway’s 17 year-old team member Cathal Daniels, whose final clear round clinched the team medal, also picked up the Individual Silver medal.

Defending champions Ireland, who were trailing Germany after the dressage and cross country phases during the last two days, came into the show jumping arena at Bishop Burton this morning and delivered six perfect clear rounds from both team and individual riders.

Germany were unable to match Ireland’s flawless show jumping display and fell back into Silver Medal position, with France beating Britain to take the Bronze.

Cathal Daniels said afterwards: “It was all very tight at the top coming into today and all team members knew that we had to jump clear in order to take Gold. We’re all very good in the show jumping phase, with great horses, so that’s what we did.”

Horse Sport Ireland’s chairman Pat Wall commented: “I am absolutely delighted to see all the members of our Junior European Eventing squad do so well at Bishop Burton. It was a tribute to their professionalism that the team riders kept such cool heads under pressure during the show jumping phase today to enable them to take the Team Gold from overnight leaders Germany. Six consecutive clear rounds from the Irish was wonderful to watch, and Cathal Daniels’s final round that earned him Individual Silver was sheer class.

“It is gratifying to see so much talent in our Junior ranks, for these are the senior teams and individual riders of tomorrow. I’d also like to congratulate the parents, owners and the very talented support staff who helped us do what we did today. We also must thank the parents, the Irish Sports Council, Sport Northern Ireland, Eventing Ireland, sponsors GAIN Horse feeds/Glanbia and all our official suppliers.”

Ireland last won the Team Gold for Junior Eventing at Jardy in France in 2013.

Ireland’s Gold medal team today were:
Susie Berry with Carsonstown Athena (ISH)

Nessa Briody with Tomboy

Cathal Daniels with Rioghan Rua (ISH)

Lucy Latta with Cleo Ferro (ISH)

Ireland’s two individual riders were:

Tessa Harley with Catsky (ISH)

Shannon Nelson with Gina Van De Neerheide

Irish gold medal-winning team with HSI High Performance Manager Debbie Byrne. Picture: Bishop Burton College