Irish dominate at Hagen Youth Nations Cup

The winning Irish Children on Horses Team at Hagen FEI Youth Nations Cup

The FEI Youth Nations Cup in Hagen, Germany is known for being particularly challenging, however, for the three Irish teams competing there last weekend this was a challenge they took in their stride. The Irish Children on Horses, Pony and Junior teams all won their respective Nations Cup competitions and Irish athletes won a staggering five classes individually.

Reigning European Champion James Derwin got the week off to a brilliant start, taking first and second place in the CSIOP Opening Competition. Derwin won the class with Bobby Dawn and was second with Rincoola Babog (ISH).

Keeping Derwin company in the top ten were fellow Irish rider Lily Tunney in fifth place with Fireman (ISH), Kian Dore with Sparkling Lackaghmore Joey in sixth and Paddy Reape with Fernando in eighth.

In the Opening Competition for the Children on Horses, Irish athletes once again filled the top two places. Alice Moloney won the class with Castlefield Cass (ISH) and Cian McMunn was second on board Captain Marko (ISH).

Moloney continued her winning streak on Friday, claiming the Children on Horses Two Phase competition, finishing two seconds faster than Germany’s Brianne Beerbaum who claimed second place.

On Saturday it was back to the pony classes and in the Individual Competition, Tunney proved unbeatable with Fireman in a time of 70.96 seconds. Moloney, competing in the pony ranks with Lady Crown, was second in 71.16 seconds. Abby Oakey with Boutade Ste Hermelle and Alanna Fagan with Kilkillahara Beauty (ISH) also finished inside the top ten, in fifth and eighth.

In the Pony Grand Prix on Sunday, Tunney and Dore stood side by side on the podium with the top spot going to Tunney in a time of 38.17 seconds and Dore coming home in 38.43 seconds for second place. Finland’s Veera Salminen completed the podium.

An unfortunate time fault left Oakey in fifth and in sixth with one fence down was Fagan. Derwin and Rincoola Babog were 10^th and Senan Reape was 12^th with Nora.

Lilly Tunney and Fireman following their victory in the Grand Prix

Nations Cup Glory

The first of the three Nations Cup victories came for the Irish Junior Show Jumping Team on Friday evening.

James Kernan’s team of Eoin Brennan, Timmy Brennan, Tom Wachman, Coen Williams and James Brennan finished on a score of 8 to take the gold medal ahead of Germany on 12 faults while The Netherlands collected bronze on 12 faults.

Speaking after the win, Kernan said: “I was very confident coming to Hagen with such a talented group of riders.

“The first round looked easy but four fences went up in the second round, this put huge pressure on all the teams but our very experienced riders held their nerve to deliver.

“Special mention must go to Tom Wachman for jumping a double clear in both rounds to secure today’s victory.

“I would like to thank the parents and all support staff who make all this possible. We look forward now to the FEI European Champions in Gorla Minore, Italy 10^th – 16^th July.”

The Pony team were up next and Gary Marshall’s team of Kian Dore, Senan Reape, Paddy Reape and James Derwin certainly delivered, finishing the two-round Nations Cup on a team score of 0, the only team of the four teams competing to do so.

Sweden finished second on a team score of 8 faults, The Netherlands also on a score of 8 but in a slower time were third and host nation Germany were fourth.

Last but by no means least were the Irish Children on Horses team who made it three from three victories for the Irish. Under the direction of James Kernan were the only team of seven competing to finish on a score of 0.

The team of Lily Tunny, Ruby Lily Gaines, Alice Moloney, Cosima and Cian McMunn finished on a team score of 0 ahead of The Netherlands who finished second and Germany in third.

Breeding: 

Rincoola Babog (ISH) – 2011 stallion by Luidam (KWPN) out of Rincoola Abu (ISH) by Cruising [TIH](ISH). Breeder: Harold McGahern. Owner: Jim Derwin. Rider: James Derwin.

Fernando (UNK) – 2010 gelding by Contendro (HOLST) out of Lena. Breeder: Sean Judge. Owner: Jonathan Reape. Rider: Paddy Reape (IRL).

Fireman (ISH) – 2010 gelding. Breeder: Elaine McGovern. Owner: Gabriel Tunney. Rider: Lily Tunney (IRL).

Castlefield Cass (ISH) – 2010 stallion by Cassidee (SWB) out of La Moette (ISH) by Puissance Ma(ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Jim O’Neill, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Jim & Gerard O’Neill. Rider: Alice Moloney (IRL).

Captain Marko (ISH) – 2010 gelding by Captain Clover (ISH) out of White Kannan (ISH) by Kannan (KWPN). Breeder: Gabriel Slattery. Owner: Breda McMunn. Rider: Cian McMunn (IRL)

Kilkilllahara Beauty (ISH) – 2011 mare by Templebready Fear Bui (CP) out of Kilkillahara Lady (UNK). Breeder: Niall McGarry. Owner: Robert Fagan. Rider: Alanna Fagan (IRL)