Irish Young Rider Eventing team win European Championship Silver Medal – Junior team finish sixth

A brilliant performance from the GAIN Equine Nutrition Irish Young Rider (U21) Eventing team of Jim Tyrrell, Jennifer Kuehnle, Alannah Kelly and Brian Kuehnle, managed by Sue Shortt, has seen them win the silver medal at the FEI European Eventing Championships in Segersjö, Sweden.

GAIN equine nutrition brand manager for Ireland, Joanne Hurley, with the Ireland young rider team, from left, Zara Nelson, Alannah Kelly, Brian Kuehnle, Jim Tyrrell, Jenny Kuehnle and Heather O’Connor during Young Rider and Junior Eventing Squad Final Training at Greenogue Equestrian in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Ireland finished on a final score of 133.1 with Germany taking gold on 103.4 while Italy claimed the silver medal on 216.5.
Three Irish combinations finished inside the top 10 in the individual standings. Jim Tyrrell and Rock Gift (ISH) finished fifth, just ahead of Jennifer Kuehnle and Polly Blue Eyes in sixth while Heather O’Connor and HSH Has It All (ISH) finished ninth.
Alannah Kelly with Cooley Bounce (ISH) (12th), Zara Nelson with OLS Queen Bee (ISH) (14th) and Brian Kuehnle with Tullibards Now Or Never (ISH) (18th) all finished inside the top 20.

Irish team manager Sue Shortt said:

“I am absolutely delighted with the result in Sweden this weekend. All six riders rode brilliantly and any combination of the six would have won team silver which is remarkable! My management team were superb. Many thanks in particular to Heike Holstien, Gerry Flynn and JP King for their expertise, also to our grooms Frazer Kirby and Jessie Keuhlne. I would also like thank Dag and all the Junior squads’ riders and parents for their help and support.”

GAIN equine nutrition brand manager for Ireland, Joanne Hurley with the Ireland junior eventing team, from left, Tom Rowlatt-McCormick, Susan Shanahan, India Rogers, Olivia Swan and Godfrey Gibbons during Young Rider and Junior Eventing Squad Final Training at Greenogue Equestrian in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The GAIN Equine Nutrition Irish Junior (U18) team of India Rogers, Godfrey Gibbons, Susan Shanahan and Tom Rowlatt-McCormick, managed by Dag Albert finished in sixth place overall in their team competition at the Championships.

Ireland finished on a final score of 157.1. Germany took the gold medal on 89.4 with Spain claiming silver on 113.1 and Italy the bronze on 114.9.

India Rogers and Hollybrook Star (ISH) finished best of the Irish individually in 14th place. Godfrey Gibbons and Milchem Free Spirit finished in 32nd, Susan Shanahan and Eisfee 35th, while Olivia Swan and Silver Brog finished 41st.